View Full Version : Instant Ocean or Kent?
Dollarbill
04/18/2006, 11:54 AM
Whats the difference between the two? Besides the price? Thanks for your help. db
bertoni
04/18/2006, 12:30 PM
Instant Ocean seems to be more reliable these days. There are some threads on the Kent product if you want to do a search.
Neither for me.
Oceanic FTW
gillies
04/18/2006, 03:51 PM
IO all the way.
whiteshark
04/18/2006, 03:52 PM
I believe the base salt is the same. So i guess the only difference is what is added. IE calcium, mag,... so on. I believe IO is a little more consistant. I have also heard that IO can be a little low on calcium, but it is consistantly low whereas kent could be low or high, or just right.
Recife
04/18/2006, 04:07 PM
I like Kent salt. It dissolves very quickly and I haven't had the issues reported in the recent threads. All elements test perfect.
Marine Depot have it on sale right now. 3 50gal bags for $32.
kypatriot
04/18/2006, 04:16 PM
Does anybody think the Reef Crystals (made by the IO folks) is worth a couple bucks more than the regular IO?
bertoni
04/18/2006, 04:32 PM
If you get the bulk calcium and magnesium, I don't think it's nearly worth the extra cost.
Cutiewitbooty
04/18/2006, 04:56 PM
i would choose IO over kent, but i use tropic marin :D
funman1
04/18/2006, 06:10 PM
I am currently using Reef Crystals, and they are driving me nuts, It buffers WAY too low..
Every time I make a batch PH is at about 7.8-7.9
So I have to mix up a batch of PH buffer everytime I do a water change.. I can't wait to get rid of this salt..
I think I'm going to switch over to regular IO
Dollarbill
04/18/2006, 07:37 PM
Well i guess that answers my question. IO it is! I cant wait! thanks for your help!
Johnson7
04/18/2006, 09:49 PM
Oceanic for this guy (former Kent guy)
OrangeKoi
04/18/2006, 10:28 PM
I suppose for you all with big tanks that's the way to go. It is handy to be able to just mix it up.
But you know? It costs more than buying from the LFS premixed.
Dollarbill
04/19/2006, 07:33 AM
That doesnt sound right. Lfs is approx. .69$ - 1$ a gallon premix and a 50 gallon Instant ocean mix is only 15$.
kypatriot
04/19/2006, 07:37 AM
You can get the 150g bucket from Foster & Smith for under $35. (I wait until I'm getting other stuff to share the shipping, which is not extra for the weight)
Dollarbill
04/19/2006, 08:19 AM
Wow, is that a .com or a store? I guess i'll check if its a .com thank you. db
kypatriot
04/19/2006, 12:49 PM
www.drsfostersmith.com
For the 160g bucket, IO is $31.99 and Reef Crystals is $34.99 (on sale - normal prices are 36.99 and 39.99 respectively)
Dollarbill
04/19/2006, 02:30 PM
Wow thats a good deal on salt Kypatriot! Thankx
OrangeKoi
04/19/2006, 03:55 PM
You all are forgetting that you need H2O to go with that salt mix...and your grand total escaleted to ...?
Distilled water here costs over a dollar for the cheapest brand (which is what you want I understand). I suppose buying salt in bulk brings the price down and if you use tap water without an ro/di unit it probably does cost less but I like to know the waters fine. For emergencies? yes. Big tanks? I think carrying it down the stairs is enough(instead of through the parking lot etc).
You gotta take the situation into consideration, but don't forget the cost of the water you have to mix and why is my salinity/gravity (?) so high when I follow the instructions?...1.26
I like the 1.24 the store delivers.
kypatriot
04/19/2006, 04:21 PM
We bought an RO/DI when we got the tank, because I didn't want to perpetually buy and transport water, and we have enjoyed an unexpected benefit:
that water tastes much better than anything you could ever buy! My wife and I drink probably triple the water that we ever did before (more in line with how much water a human -should- be consuming in a day).
I did notice the amount they say to use on the mix instructions doesn't seem right (mine mixes low), but it is consistent - so I know how much I should be adding, and I just check it. I use varying salinities on my mix anyway - depending on how much I've been topping off, etc.
alanscott
04/19/2006, 06:15 PM
IO all they way
Dollarbill
04/19/2006, 06:47 PM
I'm really not in a big hurry (even though i am ) to cycle the tank. Ive got time. Seems to me, like I said earlier, how can .69-.79cents a gallon @ the lfs beat $15.00bucks for 50gal? Im not that worried about the cost or spending the $$$. RO/DI unit soon to come though. Ok got to go to work Thank you all for your input! db
OrangeKoi
04/20/2006, 12:59 PM
You're lucky if thats your water price. Like gasoline, water has doubled it's cost here.
On the subject of RO, how much has your water (bill) consumption gone up? Just curious. Isn't there a lot of waste with that? Like 100 to 1 gallon? Maybe I don't understand the process. But you do have to pay for all of whatever comes out of the pipes not just the "good" water right? What is the ratio of good water to what goes down the tubes? Anyone?
kypatriot
04/20/2006, 01:12 PM
I have the Kent Maxxima, and it says 3:1 wasted to filtered.
I have a 135, a 20, and a 10 all running right now. I had to top off much more during the winter, and I think the total difference in my water bill (including all sewer fees, taxes, etc) went up about 30% (from $24 to $31).
That's the most I've seen mine go up, and you have to consider that we drink about 1.5 gallons a day of the filtered water ourselves too. Actually, I think we're drinking more than I'm topping off (but still much less than water changes of course)
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