SALT

[BUGZME]

I am thinking of changing from I.O. to oceanic salt. I would like your opinions on this, pro and con. Are there any precautions I need to do not to shock my tank??

[dakar]

First some questions - Is there a particular reason as to why you are considering changing up? Is there something you are trying to gain or correct with the brand change?

We use nothing but Oceanic here, started with it and have had very good results thus far. Now that being said there are some things to be noted, Oceanic has proven to have a very high calcium level, but at least for us the alkalinity is on the low side so I have to regularly dose baked bakig soda or straight baking soda to maintain levels above 10dKH. Not really an issue I just add it to my top off water.

[BUGZME]

I'm jealous of Tilemans polyp extension and figure it could only be the salt, since we do everything else the same. Except I have more light over my tank, almost 10 watts per gallon. I believe his is about 4 watts per gallon.

[dakar]

I suppose it's possible the amount of trace elements could be different enough. Next time you can get near his tank grab a baby food jar of water out of his tank when he's not looking and do some comparative tests against yours and see what the difference is.

FWIW I tested IO vs Oceanic using the same water source (well water through RO/DI)
IO - Ca 380 ppm Alk 8.0
Oceanic - Ca 500 ppm Alk 7.5
Mixed up 5 gals each with SG @ 1.025
Tested for Iodine/Iodide and both cam up the same as the source - undetectable.

[Reptoreef]

Oceanic here... mag is also kept well in oceanic. As for alk, use a kalk reactor.

[tileman]

Polyp Extension!! What polyp extension. :-D

[BUGZME]

SHOW OFF!

[dakar]

Way to bait him in Tileman, I can see Bugz running to the LFS tommorrow to return dragging home a blue bucket of salt attached to each arm.

[BUGZME]

No you are wrong!!! I'm going today!!!!!!!!!!

[tileman]

I just finished my ritual Sunday morning water change and wow!! my sun polyps love me this morning (look bugz) :-D :-D