Instant Oceans - Reef Crystals 200g $35 Amazon (1 Viewer)

[Tenny]

Another IO Reef Crystals deal from Amazon, I think this is among the cheapest at $35.28 for 200gallons! For Subscribe and Save it'll be even cheaper!

According to CCC this is the cheapest it has ever been!

Amazon.com : Instant Ocean Reef Crystals Reef Salt, Enriched Formulation for Aquariums, 200 gal : Aquarium Water Changers : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : Instant Ocean Reef Crystals Reef Salt, Enriched Formulation for Aquariums, 200 gal : Aquarium Water Changers : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

 

[GotFrogs]

I moved away from reef crystals but at this price I could not pass it up. I ordered 2 boxes.

 

[RobertP]

So for you guys using reef crystals, how do you lower the alk before putting it in your tank? I have only used salt that was already ready to go once it was mixed to 1.026. I keep my alk between 8 and 8.5 and understand that reef crystals is closer to 10. Not a big fan of dumping a bunch of salt that will throw off my dosing. Maybe there is something I am missing here...

 

[Seaworthy Aquatics]

So for you guys using reef crystals, how do you lower the alk before putting it in your tank? I have only used salt that was already ready to go once it was mixed to 1.026. I keep my alk between 8 and 8.5 and understand that reef crystals is closer to 10. Not a big fan of dumping a bunch of salt that will throw off my dosing. Maybe there is something I am missing here...

I've used Seachem Acid Buffer to low alk in fresh salt water. I haven't used it with Reef Crystals but I've used it on other high alk salts. It converts the alkalinity to CO2, which will lower the ph, so I toss in an air line and let it sit overnight to bring the ph back up. Two grams, which is about 1/2 teaspoon iirc, will lower a 5 gallon bucket of salt water about 1.5-2 dkh.

 

[GotFrogs]

Unless you are doing greater than 20% water change I dint think you will see much of a change. After you mix a batch test the alkalinity abs see if it coming in at 10. It might be lower which would have even less of an impact.

 

[Tenny]

So for you guys using reef crystals, how do you lower the alk before putting it in your tank? I have only used salt that was already ready to go once it was mixed to 1.026. I keep my alk between 8 and 8.5 and understand that reef crystals is closer to 10. Not a big fan of dumping a bunch of salt that will throw off my dosing. Maybe there is something I am missing here...

Honestly, I have never even checked the Alk on my tank. I'm not running any fancy sticks so I'm not as careful as those that are. Mostly keep LPS and what not and I'm content with that. Fancy Zoa's are my thing and they seem to do well with this and have.

 

[PorpoiseHork]

Not the brand I use, but at that price it's worth getting to have on hand for a just in case situation.

 

[RobertP]

I got a bucket of the regular IO last time it was one sale as a backup. I have been running Fritz but noticed my mag has been over 1600 and the only thing that could be causing that is the salt since I haven't dosed mag in a couple months. We will see.

 

[steveb]

So for you guys using reef crystals, how do you lower the alk before putting it in your tank? I have only used salt that was already ready to go once it was mixed to 1.026. I keep my alk between 8 and 8.5 and understand that reef crystals is closer to 10. Not a big fan of dumping a bunch of salt that will throw off my dosing. Maybe there is something I am missing here...

muratic acid will lower the alk. doesn't take much.

 

[steveb]

I got a bucket of the regular IO last time it was one sale as a backup. I have been running Fritz but noticed my mag has been over 1600 and the only thing that could be causing that is the salt since I haven't dosed mag in a couple months. We will see.

regular IO is at the same price point on amazon.

 

[Cody]

So for you guys using reef crystals, how do you lower the alk before putting it in your tank? I have only used salt that was already ready to go once it was mixed to 1.026. I keep my alk between 8 and 8.5 and understand that reef crystals is closer to 10. Not a big fan of dumping a bunch of salt that will throw off my dosing. Maybe there is something I am missing here...

The way I found best to handle the higher alk is to stop dragging my feet, set up AWC doing 2-3% per day, and never think about it again.

 

[Cody]

i order three boxes and had my brother order another three. Good to go.

 

[Stickboy97]

i order three boxes and had my brother order another three. Good to go.

Stop hoarding

 

[gm357]

I wouldn't order too many. Not sure why they brick up over time. At least in my case.

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[steveb]

I wouldn't order too many. Not sure why they brick up over time. At least in my case.

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I have had same exact issue. At least with reef crystals. Not so much on regular IO.


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[Cody]

I wouldn't order too many. Not sure why they brick up over time. At least in my case.

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I use bricked ones. Just bash it up with a hammer and throw it in.

 

[Tenny]

I wouldn't order too many. Not sure why they brick up over time. At least in my case.

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Same for me, but like @Cody I just use them anyways. Although I am "testing" if it's because I store mine in the garage vs house. So I have two from December that are just sitting, to see if one bricks up and the other doesn't. I can tell you the one in the house hasn't yet...

 

[gm357]

I used mine also, but clearly the chemistry had changed. Alot of undissolved granules and smell had definitely faded.

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[steveb]

When it absorbs moisture the calcium and alkalinity react and make CaCO3.


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[Cody]

When it absorbs moisture the calcium and alkalinity react and make CaCO3.


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And I believe that’s a function of the quality of the packaging, not the age of the product. I’ve received brand new boxes before that had bricked salt.