Red Sea v Instant Ocean Salt

[HRBP]

I've used Instant Ocean salt for years and it's been OK for the cost. But for my new tank im thinking of going to red Sea as I've read its a better quality of salt and replaces more of the essential elements which can reduce the quantity of 2 part dosing you may need to do. Wanted some feedback on the product and if you've used both were you happier with red Sea for the extra cost?

 

[Bluefish9]

Following along. I just bought a bucket of the blue stuff...

 

[scott021467]

I totally agree. I used reef crystals for about 3 years after starting with Red Sea Coral Pro. I have just switched back and do not regret it one bit.

 

[ahiggins]

i made up my original water with instant ocean, because it was cheap and I didnt know what brand was what lol. But I didnt like how much residue it left in my buckets and how long it took to mix in.
I switched to red sea coral pro-BIG mistake. I didnt realize it made up at 14+ alkalinity. Took me months to work it all out and get parameters in check.
I use red sea (regular salt-blue bucket) now and I love it. I wont use anything else.

Disclaimer-I dont do much with SPS, I only have one stylo. The rest are LPS and zoas/shrooms. I have about 30+ different species of LPS and softies and they do wonderful.
Maybe someone with more experience in SPS can help with this question.

 

[ahiggins]

I totally agree. I used reef crystals for about 3 years after starting with Red Sea Coral Pro. I have just switched back and do not regret it one bit.

I agree-the coral pro is a no go for me for sure!

 

[ahiggins]

Following along. I just bought a bucket of the blue stuff...

Youll like the blue stuff-the regular salt :)

 

[HRBP]

i made up my original water with instant ocean, because it was cheap and I didnt know what brand was what lol. But I didnt like how much residue it left in my buckets and how long it took to mix in.
I switched to red sea coral pro-BIG mistake. I didnt realize it made up at 14+ alkalinity. Took me months to work it all out and get parameters in check.
I use red sea (regular salt-blue bucket) now and I love it. I wont use anything else.

Disclaimer-I dont do much with SPS, I only have one stylo. The rest are LPS and zoas/shrooms. I have about 30+ different species of LPS and softies and they do wonderful.
Maybe someone with more experience in SPS can help with this question.

Great advice as I was looking at the pro on Amazon and then had to search for the blue bucket variety.

 

[Bluefish9]

Youll like the blue stuff-the regular salt :)

Yea I researched for a while before coming to the blue bucket decision. Doesnt hurt that my LFS has it for $59... cheapest Ive ever seen it anywhere.

 

[ahiggins]

I honestly dont know how much I pay...One of those things you just need so I never looked elsewhere.

 

[ThaBeast]

I've used Instant Ocean salt for years and it's been OK for the cost. But for my new tank im thinking of going to red Sea as I've read its a better quality of salt and replaces more of the essential elements which can reduce the quantity of 2 part dosing you may need to do. Wanted some feedback on the product and if you've used both were you happier with red Sea for the extra cost?

Lots of nice, even spectacular tanks out there with instant ocean in them.

I used Red Sea for years, even before it was 'blue bucket'. With the increased cost and increased tank size, I am now using instant ocean and adding calcium and magnesium to the new salt water.

I have also had Red Sea salt leave residue in the mixing container.

Nothing wrong with either salt, but always check parameters on a new batch no matter what salt you use

 

[Fish4udog]

I have used coral pro for years use to use reef crystal coral pro mix in coupke hours not a day like reef crystal dont know how somebody got a 14 kh mine stays 9-9.5 plus i don't use as much supplements with coral pro as reef crystal just check mine last night ca-420 k-9.5 mg-1425 wont switch from coral pro and i do more sps a few zoas& LPS

 

[Bdog4u2]

When switching salt brands or type always start with small w/c to allow coral to adjust to new levels. most brands are fine consistency is the most important factor

 

[HRBP]

I have used coral pro for years use to use reef crystal coral pro mix in coupke hours not a day like reef crystal dont know how somebody got a 14 kh mine stays 9-9.5 plus i don't use as much supplements with coral pro as reef crystal just check mine last night ca-420 k-9.5 mg-1425 wont switch from coral pro and i do more sps a few zoas& LPS

Well I think that's really the question in quality to me is; is the extra cost going to save you more in the long run as you'll need to dose less 2 part. But it depends upon so many factors that can constantly change as you add or remove corals and they grow out. I plan to does 2 part regardless of what salt I use. But if the amount of dosing would be substantially different between as the red Sea just has more elements in it then it's a question of how much more and is it worth the extra 20 bucks a bucket.

 

[ahiggins]

I have used coral pro for years use to use reef crystal coral pro mix in coupke hours not a day like reef crystal dont know how somebody got a 14 kh mine stays 9-9.5 plus i don't use as much supplements with coral pro as reef crystal just check mine last night ca-420 k-9.5 mg-1425 wont switch from coral pro and i do more sps a few zoas& LPS

Your red sea coral pro made up to 9-9.5 alk? or your tank is that?
The bucket made at 14 alk for me and my tank was at 12.8.
This is supposedly what it makes out at:

 

[Fish4udog]

I think it is worth the money look at the prices of supplements 1 bottle will eat up the $20 savings

 

[Fish4udog]

Even after i do a water change my kh stays within the same parameters i have never in 3-4 yesrs of using coral pro gad a kh problem

 

[Fish4udog]

I'm running ro water now tomorrow after i mix it i will test it for you and let you know if you do a 10% change weekly basically it is replacing what your supplementing have you test your tank after you add the kh to see wat it measures

 

[Bluefish9]

For whatever its worth, I see a lot of people complaining of "brown residue" left in their mixing containers... this is a trace amount of ferric oxide that prevents fungal growth. Wether its IO or RedSea or whatever.... It is completely normal and of no concern.

 

[fernalfer]

I use Reef Crystals and my corals have never been happier.

 

[Rick.45cal]

I use the Red sea blue bucket it's been a good salt so far. I like it because it has low alkalinity and I keep my tank around 7.5 dKH. Other than that, I have had a bucket that was low on Mg (from what they say it is supposed to be), but that's an easy fix. As far as more trace minerals than IO, I don't know. I used IO and reef crystals for MANY years, the LFS i worked at used it exclusively. I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

I personally think that it's best to pick a salt that closely resembles the parameters of what you want to run your tank at, and stick with that one. They all are going to have their inconsistencies on occasion. Which brings me to my next point.

ALWAYS TEST YOUR WATERCHANGE WATER! It will help prevent any water that mixes up too high in alkalinity or too low in alkalinity (or some other parameter out of whack). It may save you from a tank crash. (For anyone who doesn't know)