Oceanic Salt Mix

Radioheed · 02/18/2007, 11:59 AM

This is simply a public service announcement, to other newbs. NEVER USE THIS SALT MIX!!! Just a bit of info I haven't seen mentioned too often.

I blame this salt mix for Ca precipitation, low Alk (low ph), and even cyano. After a week using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals, my alk & ca are balancing out, i have NO cyano, my ph is on the rise, and i've never seen my corals open this much.

Just trying to help others learn from one of my many dumb mistakes...

IMAGINEER · 02/18/2007, 12:10 PM

WOW....I was just about to buy 100 pounds of it too !!

Maybe Instant ocean then

Radioheed · 02/18/2007, 12:21 PM

my work here is done...The Heed...saving lives one at a time

hahaha

i might be off here, i'm not totally sure that it caused my cyano problem, but since it has all just dissapeared a week after months of battling. i am totally sure that my ca/alk imbalance is due to really high levels of ca and absolutely no buffer.

Zestay · 02/18/2007, 05:48 PM

wow i just got a brown algea bloom from using this stuff too.. time to switch to IO i belive.. should i buy instant ocean or Reef crystals?

Radioheed · 02/18/2007, 05:55 PM

reef crystals are actually made by IO...it's just their high grade (which i like so far)

i've heard tropic marin is the best, but that IO is the best for the $

Silverado · 02/18/2007, 07:23 PM

Oh my good, I though that I was the only one having problems. I never thought that the salt could be causing the problem. All the problems listed above are what I have been fighting for some time.

I am going to start the switch over tomorrow.

Gary Majchrzak · 02/18/2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Radioheed
This is simply a public service announcement, to other newbs. NEVER USE THIS SALT MIX!!! Just a bit of info I haven't seen mentioned too often.

I blame this salt mix for Ca precipitation, low Alk (low ph), and even cyano. After a week using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals, my alk & ca are balancing out, i have NO cyano, my ph is on the rise, and i've never seen my corals open this much.

Just trying to help others learn from one of my many dumb mistakes...

The mistake is not checking a new batch of saltwater before using it in a water change

Every batch of every brand can possibly vary.
You also need to monitor what levels your aquarium is at.
Oceanic is OK to use. Buffer it up (if necessary). Oceanic would be a good choice for someone that has low calcium levels and high alkalinity. I also use IO and some other salt brands.
Knowledge is the key here- and you can only know the levels if you test for them.

Silverado · 02/18/2007, 07:45 PM

Oh my good, I though that I was the only one having problems. I never thought that the salt could be causing the problem. All the problems listed above are what I have been fighting for some time.

I am going to start the switch over tomorrow.

Radioheed · 02/18/2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gary Majchrzak
Oceanic is OK to use. Buffer it up (if necessary).

uhh why not just buy another brand instead?

Quote:

Oceanic would be a good choice for someone that has low calcium levels and high alkalinity.

good point for a short term fix...just trying to help people to avoid throwing the ca/alk balance right from the start

Quote:

The mistake is not checking a new batch of saltwater before using it in a water change

yeah i really to start doing that, good call....thanks

Quickcord · 02/18/2007, 09:21 PM

Humph.. I have been using it since August with no problems on a new tank.

Quickcord

IMAGINEER · 02/18/2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Quickcord
Humph.. I have been using it since August with no problems on a new tank.

Quickcord

NO ....change it now, before its too late ...NO

Brandon M · 02/18/2007, 10:42 PM

I also have been using it with no problems.

zma21 · 02/18/2007, 10:57 PM

This is just your experience. Don't tell people not to buy it just because you got a sour patch.

I have used it for over a month now and things are going great and the coraline is just flowing in. I don't plan on switching salts......at all.

Radioheed · 02/18/2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

This is a highly inconsistent product

Quote:

yikes... trouble with this brand of salt... do see the high number of complaints with ALK and this salt

Quote:

We've had a few reports re the Oceanic brand and these issues. Look into making a deal (for volume) for Instant Ocean IMO... Bob Fenner

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/caalkfaq2.htm

zma21 · 02/18/2007, 11:03 PM

So what. It's a hit or miss. If you are trying to tell me that people haven't had failures with reef crystals or any other kind of salt you're terribly wrong.

You're not the only one thats had a negative experience, and i'm surely not the only one thats had a positive experience.

Radioheed · 02/18/2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zma21
This is just your experience.

uhh isn't that kinda the point of a MB???

hey what ever works for you guys GREAT...just didn't work well for me

zma21 · 02/18/2007, 11:07 PM

Yes that is the point of a MB.

However, telling people not to buy a product that could work out greatly for them is another thing.

Bed time for me. Sorry if i'm cranky. Long day.

Radioheed · 02/18/2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zma21
So what. It's a hit or miss. If you are trying to tell me that people haven't had failures with reef crystals or any other kind of salt you're terribly wrong.

You're not the only one thats had a negative experience, and i'm surely not the only one thats had a positive experience.

wow...step in gum today? wrong side of the bed?

do you work for them er something? maybe a stock holder? cause i don't get why you seem like offended by me sharing a bad experience using an aquarium product...am i the first person to ever complain about a product on this board?

zma21 · 02/18/2007, 11:15 PM

You completely missed the point and I have already apologized for being in a bad mood tonite.

I never got offended, i just think it's wrong to steer people away from a product just because you had a bad experience. If things were ran that way, there would be no such thing as a Reef Aquarium.

Indermark · 02/18/2007, 11:45 PM

It seems that every company sends out a bad batch every so often. it is strange that this occurs or it could be a number of things that are reacting with each other. Just my 0.02 I have used Oceanic with no problems for about a year.

Ryan

Radioheed · 02/18/2007, 11:56 PM

right on, to each his own. i'm sure there are people that have had good experiences with it...mine was not, and like the link i gave shows i'm not alone.

balancing alk & ca is so crucial and so difficult for newbs like me to understand and fix. took me a while to find the culprit (which btw was not just ONE batch)

toasty23 · 02/19/2007, 12:05 AM

i also think oceanic suck(from EXP) and i super big fan of IO/RC salt. I also had the same problems when i switched to IO/RC the prob was gone. so we can tell people that it sucks and that they should buy something else based on our EXP, there is nothing wrong with that. and when you have some problem with it too as you might further down you will then too switch to the IO/RC brand. and dont tell us not to say what we want. yee'ss .

it can help some people from having problems better to go with something more reliable .. than just guessing if it will be ok. in my opinion FWIW

toasty

Indermark · 02/19/2007, 12:06 AM

I use the "two part solution" to take care of my ALK and CA. Sometimes you just have to take things into your own hands and not depend on the salt mixes anymore. You'd think with technology we have there would be at least one company that would get it right in every batch and have the perfect salt mix.

Ryan

plyle02 · 02/19/2007, 12:22 AM

RC, all the way..... You have to buffer, really I think any salt you use, but I believe Oceanic is not a balanced product alone. I have heard of other SPS reefers using a mix of RC, or IO with Oceanic@ 1/2 and 1/2.... Hmmmmmm......Oceanic, High Calcium/ Low Alk, and RC/IO low Calcium/ High Alk...Just a thought. I weened myself away from Oceanic, and am 100% RC at this point. I have however thought of going to 50/50 approach, as I dump alot of calcium into my system as of late.

Radioheed · 02/19/2007, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by toasty23
i also think oceanic suck(from EXP) and i super big fan of IO/RC salt. I also had the same problems when i switched to IO/RC the prob was gone. so we can tell people that it sucks and that they should buy something else based on our EXP, there is nothing wrong with that. and when you have some problem with it too as you might further down you will then too switch to the IO/RC brand. and dont tell us not to say what we want. yee'ss .

it can help some people from having problems better to go with something more reliable .. than just guessing if it will be ok. in my opinion FWIW

toasty

EXACTLY!!! finally someone in my corner! hahaha

Ryan,
i set up a 2-part dosing system a while ago but havent been able to use it yet because i'm still trying to get my Ca down. i'm down to 560ppm! woohoo!

02/18/2007, 11:59 AM	#1
Radioheed Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, Fl Posts: 275	Oceanic Salt Mix This is simply a public service announcement, to other newbs. NEVER USE THIS SALT MIX!!! Just a bit of info I haven't seen mentioned too often. I blame this salt mix for Ca precipitation, low Alk (low ph), and even cyano. After a week using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals, my alk & ca are balancing out, i have NO cyano, my ph is on the rise, and i've never seen my corals open this much. Just trying to help others learn from one of my many dumb mistakes...

02/18/2007, 12:10 PM	#2
IMAGINEER Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ORLANDO/CHARLOTTE Posts: 190	WOW....I was just about to buy 100 pounds of it too !! Maybe Instant ocean then __________________ LORD OF THE EEL !!

02/18/2007, 12:21 PM	#3
Radioheed Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, Fl Posts: 275	my work here is done...The Heed...saving lives one at a time hahaha i might be off here, i'm not totally sure that it caused my cyano problem, but since it has all just dissapeared a week after months of battling. i am totally sure that my ca/alk imbalance is due to really high levels of ca and absolutely no buffer. __________________ 26g AGA Bow, Current Orbit LED, Tunze 9002, Tunze Nano Osmolator, 200gph HOB, Koralia 425, MJ400, 25 lbs Real Reef LR, 10 lbs base.

02/18/2007, 05:55 PM	#5
Radioheed Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, Fl Posts: 275	reef crystals are actually made by IO...it's just their high grade (which i like so far) i've heard tropic marin is the best, but that IO is the best for the $ __________________ 26g AGA Bow, Current Orbit LED, Tunze 9002, Tunze Nano Osmolator, 200gph HOB, Koralia 425, MJ400, 25 lbs Real Reef LR, 10 lbs base.

02/18/2007, 10:42 PM	#12
Brandon M Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,116	I also have been using it with no problems. __________________ Brandon Current Tank Info: 315g 84"x24"x36" FOWLR

02/18/2007, 05:48 PM	#4
Zestay Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: gainesville, FL Posts: 1,622	wow i just got a brown algea bloom from using this stuff too.. time to switch to IO i belive.. should i buy instant ocean or Reef crystals?

02/18/2007, 07:23 PM	#6
Silverado Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Esperance, NY Posts: 151	Oh my good, I though that I was the only one having problems. I never thought that the salt could be causing the problem. All the problems listed above are what I have been fighting for some time. I am going to start the switch over tomorrow.

02/18/2007, 07:45 PM	#8
Silverado Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Esperance, NY Posts: 151	Oh my good, I though that I was the only one having problems. I never thought that the salt could be causing the problem. All the problems listed above are what I have been fighting for some time. I am going to start the switch over tomorrow.

02/18/2007, 09:21 PM	#10
Quickcord Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: By the Bay Posts: 296	Humph.. I have been using it since August with no problems on a new tank. Quickcord

02/18/2007, 10:57 PM	#13
zma21 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,453	This is just your experience. Don't tell people not to buy it just because you got a sour patch. I have used it for over a month now and things are going great and the coraline is just flowing in. I don't plan on switching salts......at all. __________________ SCA 50 Starfire: In Progress Current Tank Info: 20 High -> 40 Cube -> Nanocube 12 DX -> 25 Gallon Rimless -> 10 Gallon AGA Temporary Tank -> JBJ 24 LED -> SCA Starfire 50 Cube

02/18/2007, 11:03 PM	#15
zma21 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,453	So what. It's a hit or miss. If you are trying to tell me that people haven't had failures with reef crystals or any other kind of salt you're terribly wrong. You're not the only one thats had a negative experience, and i'm surely not the only one thats had a positive experience. __________________ SCA 50 Starfire: In Progress Current Tank Info: 20 High -> 40 Cube -> Nanocube 12 DX -> 25 Gallon Rimless -> 10 Gallon AGA Temporary Tank -> JBJ 24 LED -> SCA Starfire 50 Cube

02/18/2007, 11:07 PM	#17
zma21 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,453	Yes that is the point of a MB. However, telling people not to buy a product that could work out greatly for them is another thing. Bed time for me. Sorry if i'm cranky. Long day. __________________ SCA 50 Starfire: In Progress Current Tank Info: 20 High -> 40 Cube -> Nanocube 12 DX -> 25 Gallon Rimless -> 10 Gallon AGA Temporary Tank -> JBJ 24 LED -> SCA Starfire 50 Cube

02/18/2007, 11:15 PM	#19
zma21 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,453	You completely missed the point and I have already apologized for being in a bad mood tonite. I never got offended, i just think it's wrong to steer people away from a product just because you had a bad experience. If things were ran that way, there would be no such thing as a Reef Aquarium. __________________ SCA 50 Starfire: In Progress Current Tank Info: 20 High -> 40 Cube -> Nanocube 12 DX -> 25 Gallon Rimless -> 10 Gallon AGA Temporary Tank -> JBJ 24 LED -> SCA Starfire 50 Cube

02/18/2007, 11:45 PM	#20
Indermark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Troy, Illinois Posts: 670	It seems that every company sends out a bad batch every so often. it is strange that this occurs or it could be a number of things that are reacting with each other. Just my 0.02 I have used Oceanic with no problems for about a year. Ryan

02/18/2007, 11:56 PM	#21
Radioheed Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, Fl Posts: 275	right on, to each his own. i'm sure there are people that have had good experiences with it...mine was not, and like the link i gave shows i'm not alone. balancing alk & ca is so crucial and so difficult for newbs like me to understand and fix. took me a while to find the culprit (which btw was not just ONE batch) __________________ 26g AGA Bow, Current Orbit LED, Tunze 9002, Tunze Nano Osmolator, 200gph HOB, Koralia 425, MJ400, 25 lbs Real Reef LR, 10 lbs base.

02/19/2007, 12:05 AM	#22
toasty23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: MN Posts: 235	i also think oceanic suck(from EXP) and i super big fan of IO/RC salt. I also had the same problems when i switched to IO/RC the prob was gone. so we can tell people that it sucks and that they should buy something else based on our EXP, there is nothing wrong with that. and when you have some problem with it too as you might further down you will then too switch to the IO/RC brand. and dont tell us not to say what we want. yee'ss . it can help some people from having problems better to go with something more reliable .. than just guessing if it will be ok. in my opinion FWIW toasty __________________ "Do not concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory" -Lee Current Tank Info: IM Nuvo 8 gallon

02/19/2007, 12:06 AM	#23
Indermark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Troy, Illinois Posts: 670	I use the "two part solution" to take care of my ALK and CA. Sometimes you just have to take things into your own hands and not depend on the salt mixes anymore. You'd think with technology we have there would be at least one company that would get it right in every batch and have the perfect salt mix. Ryan

02/19/2007, 12:22 AM	#24
plyle02 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lake Helen, FL Posts: 5,526	RC, all the way..... You have to buffer, really I think any salt you use, but I believe Oceanic is not a balanced product alone. I have heard of other SPS reefers using a mix of RC, or IO with Oceanic@ 1/2 and 1/2.... Hmmmmmm......Oceanic, High Calcium/ Low Alk, and RC/IO low Calcium/ High Alk...Just a thought. I weened myself away from Oceanic, and am 100% RC at this point. I have however thought of going to 50/50 approach, as I dump alot of calcium into my system as of late. __________________ Perry "Anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die" ~Buddha~ Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon AIO Cube, Aquamaxx WS-1 Skimmer, LED/ Hybrid 4x24 watt t5