Looking back to your reefing roots: Did you start with Instant Ocean salt?

[Peace River]

Looking back to your reefing roots: Did you start with Instant Ocean salt?

Regardless of what salt you use now, many reef keepers started with Instant Ocean. This seems to be true whether you have started reefing recently or have been in the hobby a long time. As a side note, many years ago Instant Ocean used to have a saltwater fish facility in Florida where I had the privilege of seeing the hatchery and meeting the founder many years ago. No matter how long you have been in the hobby and no matter what salt you use now, did you start with Instant Ocean salt? Bonus points for anyone else who wants to reminisce about the Instant Ocean fish facility!!! Also, please let us know if you have ever bought more than six boxes or buckets of salt at one time!

Photo by @Brett S


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tidalgardens.com

“The goal of Tidal Gardens is to offer the highest quality corals to those seeking a piece of that world without destroying it. We hope to instill a deep appreciation for the natural reefs and help develop a self-sustaining hobby that no longer requires the collection of fish and corals.”

 

[Bruttall]

I'm still using IO Reef (Orange box) if it works, why fix it?

 

[tzabor10]

LFS had nothing but Fritz for a long time. Got me started way back in 2011. Instant Ocean is always reliable and affordable. My last bucket was Brightwell. I like the sizzle of the salt as it hits the water. Now I have a Red Sea that is launching my new 75g build.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Yep. It was the only thing available in my area in 2005. I use Reef Crystals now. I miss that tank!

 

[Doctorgori]

I’m pretty sure it was the first widely available brand…I first used it in 77’ I want to say…
Added, lower confidence, but I think Fritz was early in the game also correct me if I’m wrong

 

[randomfishdude]

I still use it almost a year and a half in.

 

[twentyleagues]

I dont know if it counts but I started with reef crystals and still use it today. I have purchased a pallet of salt before.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I started with instant ocean, but switched to reef crystals. Been using it ever since. Have no plans to change

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Started with buying 20 gallons of imagitarium pacific ocean water from petco for my first tank just to ensure all was perfect.

I have since then used instant ocean for my needs. No need to splurge on expensive salts.

 

[KrisReef]

I started with Mortons (rock salt) in a Fresh water tank. Instant Ocean was the first salt widely available, shortly after Noah's ark landed on the mountain top.

 

[Miami Reef]

Yes.

 

[jimmers]

Has anyone ever tried Himalayan salt??!!

 

[lil sumpin]

Used to use the purple bags as a teenager and now I use the orange buckets after coming back to the hobby over a decade later

 

[ReefShaQ]

My 1st 3 tanks I started with natural sea water...it was readily available and most of the time I got it for free from the fish store I purchased my tanks....I have used IO in the past...not a huge fan of it as I hate mixing up salt...and it gets all bind up after a few weeks of sitting around...on that note I will be using IO for my QT tank....

 

[Redneckgearhead]

I was thrown into saltwater, almost literally. An old neighbor had a salt 75 gallon tank and we would sit and drink a few cold ones and watch his tank. I moved away and about a year later he calls and says "she kicked me out and says she's draining the tank. Do you want it?" Up to that point I'd never kept fish.

 

[aquaman67]

Who remembers getting a Mini-Jet 404 powerhead in a 200 gallon bucket of Instant Ocean?

There were towels and tshirts too.

 

[Jeremy_d]

I have a million empty reef crystals buckets. I’ll never change

 

[Jeremy_d]

My 1st 3 tanks I started with natural sea water...it was readily available and most of the time I got it for free from the fish store I purchased my tanks....I have used IO in the past...not a huge fan of it as I hate mixing up salt...and it gets all bind up after a few weeks of sitting around...on that note I will be using IO for my QT tank....

yeah that’s why I get the bucket of reef crystals. Airtight lid. Got a box once, had a brick of salt after a few mixes. Very humid where I am

 

[piranhaman00]

I’m not quite sure why you would use any other brand at this point.

 

[exnisstech]

Started with IO and still use it after 8 years. I did run a 50/50 mix of IO and RC for a year because I was able to score both on a super sale