Instant Ocean
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Main
Forum Name: Suggestion Box/Recommendations
Forum Description: This is the place to submit recommendations to the WMAS presidency.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=38944
Printed Date: February 06 2026 at 1:16pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Instant Ocean
Posted By: RJ
Subject: Instant Ocean
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 8:26am
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What is eveyone buying? And what would be the best to start a new tank? 120 gal. Reef Aquarium
Instant Ocean
Tropic Marine
HW Marine
Reef Crystals
Thanks, DF
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Replies:
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 10:37am
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Salt is a huge topic. There is no "best" salt. All of them have strong points and weak points. I have used three different salts over the years. Oceanic, Reef Crystals and H20Cean. By far the H20Cean was the best. Most consistent and very easy to use. I have had issues using Reef Crystals and will never try it again. If you are just starting up your tank, I say go buy a 200 gallon bucket of Oceanic at a LFS for like $50. I had better luck with Oceanic then Reef Crystals. This is all just my opinion. Lots of people use Reef Crystals and love it. I just don't like the high phosphates my bucket came with.
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Posted By: Turbostud653
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 11:17am
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I use oceanic and have been very pleased with it. I like how easy to use it is. Like Ryan said, most fish stores carry this brand. ------------- Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands. |
Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 12:01pm
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I, along with the majority of reefers world wide, use Reef Crystals. I think I will be switching to Oceanic soon, just because it is more easily available to me. I think all of the salts are good, you just have to know their numbers, and know what you have to dose and keep track of that so that overall your system is stable. I really wouldn't use regular IO in a reef, just because they are not enriched at all.
------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 2:23pm
| I have always used Instant Ocean. Once in a while I'll get a bucket of Oceanic if I come across a screaming deal, but I typically buy Instant Ocean. Never tried the Reef Crystals though ... |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 2:36pm
| Randy Holmes-Farley uses Instant Ocean and doses what it lacks when he makes his new water. He actually tells you to do that with every salt brand out there. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 3:00pm
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I have always liked Oceanic but have never tried anything else. If it ain't broken... |
Posted By: AquariumGuy
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 3:02pm
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I have been looking into the new salinity salt by aqua vitro "seachem”. It a bit pricy but looks good. 225gallon bucket is 89.99 The Aquarium has it if you want to look at it. The thing I like the most about it so far is the guaranteed batch analysts.. It’s a bit nerdy but that what I like... if it is just your first tank and need a good salt to start it up I have used oceanic for years and have had good success.. |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 3:15pm
I don't want to totally hijack this thread but I am very suspicious of that new salt. Randy Holmes-Farley who is an amazing chemist and huge reef chemist said it is impossible for them to guarantee the numbers they have promised. Brightwell Aquatics tried the same thing with their salt and people caught on real quick that it was a huge lie and marketing gimmick. He thinks it is a hoax on Seachem's part. So be very careful believing what the company says.
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AquariumGuy wrote:Posted By: Reefboy4life
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 4:25pm
I like oceanic but that is the olnly salt i have used. ------------- 90 gallon mixed reef |
Posted By: arthuriv
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 5:57pm
| I started out using Instant Ocean and it work good then switched to Petco Brand because it is extreamly affordable if purchased online with free shipping and I really liked it then just recently trying Oceanic because it was on sale for less then the Petco brand with free shipping from Petco and it seems to be work well too. With both the Petco brand and Oceanic with regular water changes and no supplementing my CA has been around 500. |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 24 2010 at 6:42pm
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Tropic Marin Reef Mix is actually a very good salt but harder to find and pricier than most brands.
I like Oceanic and Reef Crystals personally.
Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with any salt mix. Worst that could happen is you end up on the low side for things like Ca, Mg or alk and you need to dose more...
It's not like you could mix up a certain brand of salt and it would crash your tank - under normal circumstances, anyway.
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Roy
Date Posted: February 25 2010 at 2:53pm
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I have always used Oceanic. It has been great for me. It seems finer than other brands. I don't have much salt left after i stir it with my hand a few times. But this is like choosing one brand of oil for your car over another. they all serve the same function. |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: February 25 2010 at 3:17pm
I am not arguing with you but the oil thing is a little more complicated than that. So is the salt issue. I own an BMW and changing oil is more complicated then just running to Wal Mart and throwing in some 5W-30. You will ruin a BMW engine using the wrong oil. A BMW needs very thin oil that has specific ratings. Sure the 5w-30 will lubricate the parts but you will lose a ton of power and build up sludge very quickly. You have to use oil that has an LL01 rating on it. Mobil 1 0W-40 meets that standard. There are actually only like 4 oils that you can use in a BMW. Even Mercedes and Audi are the same way. Our tanks are like cars in that every tank is different. It gets treated and abused differently. Some dose everyday and others never do a freaking water change. That is like never changing the oil on your car. Stuff builds and needs to be removed and have some good clean fresh oil(water) put in to clean it up. Using a salt that is low in certain things and never replenishing those items is bad. For example, my Nano needs to be dosed everyday to keep the levels up. If I stopped dosing and doing water changes my growth would halt and the corals for the most part will stop filtering the water for me. Therefore a good salt will replenish what I don't dose and it will clean the tank up a little bit. I don't make up a new batch of salt water just to have my tank function and keep my refractometer happy that the SG is 1.0264 or 35 ppt. I use the new salt water to help my tank thrive!
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Posted By: Roy
Date Posted: February 25 2010 at 5:27pm
i would recomend vegetable oil for that bmw I was generalizing and didn't mean for anyone anyone to take offense.
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Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: February 25 2010 at 5:53pm
| You did say brand of oil and not weight. |
Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: February 25 2010 at 6:12pm
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You have to use oil that has an LL01 rating on it. Mobil 1 0W-40 meets that standard. There are actually only like 4 oils that you can use in a BMW. Even Mercedes and Audi are the same way.
Freakin' Germans!
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Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: February 25 2010 at 6:15pm
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Didn't read the responses above but....
Instant Ocean dominates the market, and nearly all institutional and public aquarium facilities... for what that's worth.
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: TNaisbitt
Date Posted: February 25 2010 at 7:11pm
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I have used IO and am currently using Reef Crystals. I like the higher CA that the reef crystals has. I haven't had any problems with phosphates. I just used it to start my new 210 with RC and haven't had any problems yet (that I would attribute to the salt anyway...). I used IO for years before on my 90 and never had a problem there either. ------------- "Water which is too pure has no fish." 90 Gal Reef, 12Gal Nano Reef West Jordan, UT |
Posted By: thefu
Date Posted: February 25 2010 at 8:25pm
| What about trace elements? Everyone talks about the holy trinity but not many talk about all the other elements...it seems to me that since we don't measure for these (for the most part) , and they are in the natural environment, that we should be concerned about their inclusion in a salt mix and their concentration. I think this could be a huge differentiator depending on where the salt is made and the process to make it. Am I wrong? |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 25 2010 at 8:46pm
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I think you have a very good point in theory, Terence, but since we can't / don't measure for most trace elements in a home environment we kind of have to take the manufacturer's word for it as far as label claims on various trace element concentrations go.
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: February 25 2010 at 10:21pm
Mortons here
 ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: sanddune600
Date Posted: February 25 2010 at 11:20pm
I have to supplement my mortons with 50/50 epson salt PS FOR ALL THE NOOBS DONT USE MORTONS OR EPSON SALT THIS IS SARCASTIC ------------- Andy Jorgensen My number is four three 5 7 six four 8 0 three four |
Posted By: Mad Dawg
Date Posted: February 26 2010 at 12:49am
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Damn, too late...
------------- Todd 14g nano mixed reef project |
Posted By: xlr8r
Date Posted: February 26 2010 at 1:13pm
I just stop by the State Road salt shed and get a shovel or two...
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Posted By: Mad Dawg
Date Posted: February 26 2010 at 1:31pm
I pick at the chunks of ice on my car. It's got lots of minerals in it and the salinity is close enough. Sure, I have to clean my filter floss more often, but it's well worth it. 
------------- Todd 14g nano mixed reef project |
Posted By: Roy
Date Posted: February 26 2010 at 3:38pm
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Here is a link to a comparison of the elements in the different salt brands. http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/planasystem/ig/Guide-Charts--Tables--Diagrams/Comparison-Table-of-Primary-El.htm And for BMW Oil Brands  http://sandiegobmw.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/oil-and-your-bmw-which-is-the-best/ |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: February 26 2010 at 4:01pm
Thanks for that link but I know what oils can be used in my car I use Mobil 1 0W-40 myself.
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Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: February 26 2010 at 4:03pm
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Here are some more salt links if you want them: http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=246450 - http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=246450 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1287118&pp=25 - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1287118&pp=25
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Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: February 27 2010 at 9:44am
| I like to blend oceanic and instant ocean. One is higher is Ca but low in Alk and the other is higher in Alk but low in Ca. |
Posted By: jcom
Date Posted: February 27 2010 at 12:57pm
Where are you guys finding the best deals on RC and Oceanic salt around town? I looked at the price of RC at a local shop last night and couldn't believe how expensive it was. 
I've seen it much cheaper at several shops and can't see how they could price it that high with a straight face.
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Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: February 27 2010 at 1:09pm
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Reef Runners sells the Oceaninc buckets for like $55. Last time I was at Aquatica which was months and months ago, they had RC for $50. My Premium Aquatics order hasn't shipped yet so if you want me to bring you in a bucket of wither let me know. Shipping is only $10.
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Posted By: thefu
Date Posted: February 27 2010 at 2:29pm
| The best deal is when The Aquarium has their 10% off with 15% off on Tuesday coupons...with tax it is like $50 for an Oceanic bucket. |
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: February 27 2010 at 5:45pm
What is a Tuesday Coupon? |
Posted By: thefu
Date Posted: February 27 2010 at 5:59pm
| Get on their mailing list. They send out coupons every week. Sometimes the coupons are for dry goods and are 10% off but 5% extra if you come in on Tuesday. |
Posted By: Aquatic Evolution
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 7:01pm
| Our everyday sale price for Oceanic and Reef Crystals is $49.99! No coupons needed |
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 7:53pm
good to know i'll have to swing by, |
Posted By: jmw
Date Posted: March 04 2010 at 11:26pm
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Originally posted by Aquatica Our everyday sale price for Oceanic and Reef Crystals is $49.99! No coupons needed _________________________________________________________________
What about oil?
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Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: March 05 2010 at 12:10am
I am one of these people. I do water changes every 6 months, whicIh means I have only done 1 since starting my tank after moving to Utah. I am not sure that your statement is "entirely" true, but for the most part I agree. I do feel that people can have a very stable and successful aquarium without doing water changes every week. ------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: March 05 2010 at 1:10am
Oh I don't do them every week, maybe every 3 if I am lucky. I have read stories where people have gone 2 years and then wonder why their tank is going to hell. Or their tank starts crashing and when you ask for the maintenance they have done, they look at you like like you just spoke to them in Chinese. Some people can get away with bi-annual water changes. You have the system to handle that. On my small nano though, I really notice it if I miss a month.
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Posted By: Turbostud653
Date Posted: March 05 2010 at 3:28pm
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On Oceanic, What would you have to dose for to keep your water parameters they way they need to? ------------- Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands. |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: March 05 2010 at 3:33pm
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It depends on your bio-load, and how often you do water changes. What sorts of corals are you keeping? How often do you do water changes? Really how often you supplement things like magnesium, calcium, strontium, etc depends on the demand placed on them by your tank. The only way to really know what your demand is, is to test your water and look for the trends in the numbers. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: dustponds10
Date Posted: March 08 2010 at 1:48am
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I read throught he post and didnt see Coralife salt on there. It is what I use and I have been very happy with it. I have tried Oceanic and IO and I was having to dose like crazy. So I went on line and looked and the salts properties and found the the mag and calcium of Coralife is higher then most and so I switched. I cut the dosing and my corals grow at aroudn teh same rate that they were growing before. I like it for that reason... ------------- 120 ASM G-3 T-5 lighting 130 frag system T-5 lighting asm G-1x |
Posted By: Roy
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 3:10pm
| My Oceanic saltss Calcium is 400-500 My calcium levels are always higher since using Oceanic |
Posted By: sterling18
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 10:28pm
| I use Oceanic and I use Instant Ocean. I love them both. I mix both. They balance each other out in my book. Oceanic is high in Ca while Instant Ocean is high in Alk. Best of both worlds without dosing. |
Posted By: Nick801
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 10:40pm
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+1 Oceanic =)
------------- http://www.reefinsanity.com" rel="nofollow - www.ReefInsanity.com http://www.facebook.com/ReefInsanity" rel="nofollow - www.Facebook.com/ReefInsanity 801-680-4676 |
Posted By: fishoutawater
Date Posted: March 09 2010 at 11:51pm
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I have used corallife salt for a couple of years and I think I will be switching to Oceanic when I run out. Doing 20% water changes every month and I have to dose calcium and alk regularly on a tank with a light coral load. I never worried about trace minerals with the amount of water I was changing but after watching my corals not grow for a while I tested for Iodine/Iodide/Iodate and it was so low I couldn't measure it. I started dosing with the aquavitro vibrance and noticed a difference overnight. After two weeks of dosing my bta's even started bubbling again. Working at The Aquarium now, and they use oceanic for everything in the store. I have noticed it is definitely higher in calcium. ------------- Some day, when I grow up,... |
Posted By: RJ
Date Posted: March 10 2010 at 1:30pm
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Thanks everyone,
I decided to go with Oceanic in 120gal. My old 75gal was Instant Ocean. Last week did a water change, yesterday alk. 8.2, calcium 360 (low), mag 1140, nitrate 0, ammonia 0, PH 8., nitrite 0., phospate 0. Fish an coral look good so far.
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Posted By: providence
Date Posted: March 28 2010 at 5:03am
| I have always done oceanic but I payed more than double the price to tye the new brightwell aquatics I have been happy with my past ersults and its not a wallet killer if you on a tight budget like me |