Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
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My Tank Thread
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I think the only difference is reef salt comes with calcium and all that other good stuff. But it's fixable
FWIW, the difference in the calcium level in IO and RC is pretty small (about 10%). In my tank, where I use normal IO and only limewater for calcium and alkalinity, calcium runs high because limewater has a tendency to push calcium up over the long haul. So I prefer it a bit lower in the salt mix.
Pretty sure this is because it is intended to be used with tap water. And there obviously are metals in tap water. Correct me if I'm wrong Randy?
That may be their line of thinking. Or they may be trying to limit the toxicity of metals from other sources.