Switching from RC to RSCP?

StrangeDejavu · Dec 2, 2016

I've been a user of IO and Reef Crystals since my tank began, haven't had any complaints until recently. The last 2 or 3 bags i've bought off Amazon has mixed extremely cloudy and the parameters have been crazy. Looking at my testing log, it goes back as far as October 1st. My parameters were always pretty normal, Cal 475, Mag 1440, Alk 8.4, etc. However, the last 4 times i've tested, my Calcium has been around 530 and 520, Magnesium was 1630 at one point but Alk, pH and salinity all normal and where it usually sits. Looking back now, I believe the cloudy water was due to crazy high levels of Calcium precipitating out. And yes, I always stirred the salt when it arrived. I'd empty the bag into a food grade bucket and mix it with a piece of PVC pipe. Not sure if I keep getting the same lot of a recent bad batch or what, but it's got me considering Red Sea Coral Pro. Anyone here switched from RC to RSCP and mind sharing their thoughts/experiences? I like the price and growth i've seen with RC, but now i'm wondering about other salt brands.

Joey waid · Dec 2, 2016

I have used reef crystals for years, to me they always mix cloudy. I have never had any issues. For the money it can't be beat. Of course this is only my opinion.

fernalfer · Dec 2, 2016

Reef Crystal user as well. Corals are all happy. Only negative is i have an Alk reading of 10.8 and using this salt it never comes down because of the high Alk content.

Joey waid · Dec 2, 2016

fernalfer said:
Reef Crystal user as well. Corals are all happy. Only negative is i have an Alk reading of 10.8 and using this salt it never comes down because of the high Alk content.

I have been thinking of just use the io and not the Rc because if that.

AllSignsPointToFish · Dec 2, 2016

This is a timely thread as I've been considering switching from regular Instant Ocean to Reef Crystals. I usually run my alkalinity around 10.6, so 10.8 actually works well in my system.

StrangeDejavu · Dec 2, 2016

Weird, my log shows my Alk being 8.2 - 8.5 consistently since I started using RC at the beginning of the year. No dosing either, just water changes. I wonder why it's running so high for you guys?

AllSignsPointToFish · Dec 2, 2016

StrangeDejavu said:
Weird, my log shows my Alk being 8.2 - 8.5 consistently since I started using RC at the beginning of the year. No dosing either, just water changes. I wonder why it's running so high for you guys?

Because I try to keep it around 10.5 :)

dbl · Dec 2, 2016

When it comes to RSCP, keep in mind it mixes to around 12-12.5 dKH at 1.026. Just wanted you to know that and take it in to consideration.

StrangeDejavu · Dec 2, 2016

dbl said:
When it comes to RSCP, keep in mind it mixes to around 12-12.5 dKH at 1.026. Just wanted you to know that and take it in to consideration.

Wow! I'd basically be trading one high value for another. I guess i'm better off staying put since my coral are happy as is. Thanks for bringing this up.

dbl · Dec 2, 2016

StrangeDejavu said:
Wow! I'd basically be trading one high value for another. I guess i'm better off staying put since my coral are happy as is. Thanks for bringing this up.

There's nothing wrong with the old adage...if it ain't broke, don't fix it...lol.

Sabellafella · Dec 2, 2016

StrangeDejavu said:
I've been a user of IO and Reef Crystals since my tank began, haven't had any complaints until recently. The last 2 or 3 bags i've bought off Amazon has mixed extremely cloudy and the parameters have been crazy. Looking at my testing log, it goes back as far as October 1st. My parameters were always pretty normal, Cal 475, Mag 1440, Alk 8.4, etc. However, the last 4 times i've tested, my Calcium has been around 530 and 520, Magnesium was 1630 at one point but Alk, pH and salinity all normal and where it usually sits. Looking back now, I believe the cloudy water was due to crazy high levels of Calcium precipitating out. And yes, I always stirred the salt when it arrived. I'd empty the bag into a food grade bucket and mix it with a piece of PVC pipe. Not sure if I keep getting the same lot of a recent bad batch or what, but it's got me considering Red Sea Coral Pro. Anyone here switched from RC to RSCP and mind sharing their thoughts/experiences? I like the price and growth i've seen with RC, but now i'm wondering about other salt brands.

Ive had to have gone through over 20 boxes in the past 2 years and the calc either mixes at 450-470 or at 500-540, even the mag is off atleast every box.

I switched to red sea cp for a little while, had the same results if not better then reef crystals. But then the last 6 buckets i bought of coral pro tested for 370 calc. I always tested the batches and they were always the same up untill those 6 buckets that i never got refunded for. They also both had drawbacks, reef crystals i can have sit in a mixing tank for as long as i want, just would have to clean the container and equipment once a month from the brown cake that will build up. Red sea coral pro, id have to use right away. After a day or 2 it would turn very very cloudy from precipitation and i wasnt comfortable adding it to my tank. I switched back to reef crystals because i get the boxes for dirt cheap if i buy a bunch. But majority of red sea coral pro users usually all switched from IO, so there should be a few to chime in.