Instant ocean vrs reef crystals.

[RichReef7]

Nothing, as you say the parameters, pick which ever matches the parameters you are aiming for, no reason to not use IO in a reef, I do.

I have been having major issues with IO Reef Crystals. The alk was so high my test kit was out of range as it stops at 14 dkh. I spoke directly with Instant Ocean rep and he said there are bad batches as they throw out tons of salt every month that don’t pass their inspection. Well they missed one. When using their salt with RO water I lost a several frags almost overnight because I did not test the alk before I did my water change.
I am aiming for 9 dlk but don't want to treat new salt to make that happen.
Who has the lowest alkalinity salt? Red Sea?
Or tell me an easy way to reduce alk other than an acid.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Or tell me an easy way to reduce alk other than an acid.

Are you asking about in new salt water, or in the tank?

 

[Reef.]

I have been having major issues with IO Reef Crystals. The alk was so high my test kit was out of range as it stops at 14 dkh. I spoke directly with Instant Ocean rep and he said there are bad batches as they throw out tons of salt every month that don’t pass their inspection. Well they missed one. When using their salt with RO water I lost a several frags almost overnight because I did not test the alk before I did my water change.
I am aiming for 9 dlk but don't want to treat new salt to make that happen.
Who has the lowest alkalinity salt? Red Sea?
Or tell me an easy way to reduce alk other than an acid.

Sounds scary but using seachem acid buffer is so simple, it’s granules like suger, just add it then mix as normal, if that doesn’t work for you, yes Red Sea is about 8.5, I believe tropic marine not the pro version as that’s 7, the standard one is around 9-10…if you want to stick with IO for cost add the buffer it could save you a ton of money.

I’ve ended up moving away from IO as the cost for it in my area was nearly as much as salt with alk I wanted so moved away for that reason.

 

[KStatefan]

I have been having major issues with IO Reef Crystals. The alk was so high my test kit was out of range as it stops at 14 dkh. I spoke directly with Instant Ocean rep and he said there are bad batches as they throw out tons of salt every month that don’t pass their inspection. Well they missed one. When using their salt with RO water I lost a several frags almost overnight because I did not test the alk before I did my water change.
I am aiming for 9 dlk but don't want to treat new salt to make that happen.
Who has the lowest alkalinity salt? Red Sea?
Or tell me an easy way to reduce alk other than an acid.

check out this thread for a comparison that @rtparty did.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-ultimate-salt-test.949805/