Opinions of Oceanic Salt

[Ursus]

I was wondering if I could get some input about the pro's and con's of oceanic salt. Would just buy reef crystals but can't find it anywhere but the internet. Input would be much appreciated.

[Reeling Reefer]

I used to use it and always had great calcium levels , but always had algea problems. I have been using Instant Ocean now for about 8 months and haven't had a single problem with algea .

[Ursus]

Do you use RO/DI for change water and top off? I currently use straight tap and have had no algae problems at all. Maybe I just got som really good liverock. Any more opinions?

[Reeling Reefer]

What kind of salt are you currently using? And yes I was using RO/DI top off and change water.

[dkh0331]

..

[Travis L. Stevens]

Oceanic Salt has notoriously high amounts of Calcium. Dangerously high. Many people often find themselves in a situation where their Calcium is 500-600 ppm. This isn't good for your average tank. Now, don't go banishing any of this salt to the trash, I actually like the stuff used in high Calcium demanding tanks such as a well established SPS/Clam tank. Personally, I like to mix Oceanic with Instant Ocean. Instant Ocean and Tropic Marin are very close to natural seawater for a synthetic salt mix. But, Instant Ocean has slightly less Calcium than I would like. About 360-420. I would prefer my salt to have about 400-450ppm. This way, I don't have to add any additives, but just change my water in order to keep the tank's chemicals even.

[Ursus]

Currently I use IO but it only comes in bags or a bucket which is $70. The Oceanic is also $70 but makes 200 gal instead of 160 like the IO. I just hate to pay $70 for IO when I would prefer Reef Crystals.

[Billybeau1]

Drs Foster & Smith are running a summer sale on IO and RC. Check it out. They are a sponsor here.

[Sullivmw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8012113#post8012113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
Oceanic Salt has notoriously high amounts of Calcium. Dangerously high.

Just curious why you consider 500+ dangerous ? Notice I am not saying that is normal within NSW, but just seeing why you believe this is dangerous, assuming no precip.

Fyi, I like to mix IO \ Oceanic, gives me the perfect Alk\Calc balance that I like to use.

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8012402#post8012402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sullivmw
Just curious why you consider 500+ dangerous ? Notice I am not saying that is normal within NSW, but just seeing why you believe this is dangerous, assuming no precip.

Fyi, I like to mix IO \ Oceanic, gives me the perfect Alk\Calc balance that I like to use.

500 isn't so bad, but when you start to get into 560-620+, it starts to become toxic to life in the water.

[650-IS350]

I have the same problem , I have Oceanic and it measured in the 500-600 range.... was using TMP and was great.. ran out and couldn't get it in time.. will finish up the rest of the oceanic and order som Tropical Marine Pro.

[Sullivmw]

500 isn't so bad, but when you start to get into 560-620+, it starts to become toxic to life in the water.

Travis,

Do you have a link to support this. I am not arguing, just this is the first time I have heard someone say 560+ is toxic. I do feel high calcium causes unnecessary head aches when it comes to build up and cleaning, but I would be interested to know more about the toxicity. I personally never have seen data to support this.

[Travis L. Stevens]

I was hoping you wouldn't ask that. I've been searching around and can't find the link to it. I'll subscribe to this thread or PM you later. I'm leaving in about 20 minutes and won't be able to reply back until Monday

[Sullivmw]

Not a problem, its a good discussion.

[Reeling Reefer]

For those of you mixing Oceanic and IO , Are you using a 50/50 mix, or what?

[Sullivmw]

50/50.

[Travis L. Stevens]

I'm running out of time on searching. I'll leave this up to Randy Holmes-Farley. I could be wrong, though. I wish I could find that link. Afterall, not all internet sources are factual. Here is a link to that thread for those that are interested.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=914790

[Peter Eichler]

A bit off topic... I have not tested my calcium levels yet and have used nothing but Oceanic salt thus far in my new system. I'm curious to see what it is, but my test kits are pretty old (Salifert and Seachem). Thing is I see no expiration date on either test kit, is it safe to assume they're still good?

[Travis L. Stevens]

I would use them, but take it with a grain of salt. When you get the chance to either get some new ones or if you can run up and get it tested somewhere else. Your Alkalinity and pH will help determine where your Calcium is.

[Ursus]

Very interesting. How about Pacific Coast Imports salt? Anyone have any experience with this brand? My LFS swears by it, but then again he sells it. He says he uses the PCI Marine Mix.

[MCary]

Okay, don't want to torpedo the LFS. This is for informational purposes only.

160 gallon/ 5 gallon buckets of reef crystals at Foster&Smith is on sale for $34.99. There is a $5 rebate on one bucket. Shipping is $9.99. That's $39.98 for the first bucket. I live in Montana and I get my stuff in 3 days and they bring it to my door.

70 bucks locally? I report you decide.

Mike

[Ursus]

Oh I know its over priced. Way over priced. But now im considering the PCI salt. Just wish I could get more info on it.

[Ursus]

Bump

[Bono]

Where can you find the PCI salt?

[Ursus]

My lfs sells it. He picks it up from the manufacturer. He also gets Octopus skimmers from the same guy. It's the only place I know of that sells them other than online.