OK to mix salts...?

[Zen Reeferer]

Hello. Wife and I live about an hour and a half from Vegas. (closest LFS's)
We needed salt, so when wife went into Vegas, she picked-up some Instant Ocean on sale at Petco - $64.99 (ouch...thanks babe) We have been using Coralife Salt, and still have a 50 gallon bag left.

As it will be a while till we go back into Vegas, which would be the best option? (already opened the IO bucket)

...buy another bucket of Coralife and mix with about the same quantity of IO, till IO is gone (keeping an eye on salinity, calcium...)

...mix bag of Coralife with entire bucket of IO, using that mixture till it's gone, then switch back to the cheaper Coralife

...salt is salt...just keep an eye on levels

Thanks...James

 

[DonW]

I'd get rid of the coralife and switch to IO. You can get it much cheaper online at the two doctors.

Don

 

[Ed Hahn]

Is there a Petsmart by you? Petsmart will match the price of competitor on line or give you the online price. You just need to print out copy of price as proof on printer and take it to Petsmart. I prefer the IO myself also. Two doctors I believe is Fosters and Smith.

 

[Krish]

I've personally never used anything but IO and only ever heard good things about it as well. If it were me, I'd just use the IO

 

[Scooterman]

When stitching from one brand to another you should do it in small increments, either way, once you get to what your using normally stick with it, switching back & forth can only be problematic. Have you tested your water parms before & after each switch?

 

[Zen Reeferer]

Haven't had to start using the IO yet, but will keep an eye on the params. (as usual, lol)

The salt is IO, not IO Reef Crystals...is there a difference? (is there anything lacking I'll need to dose with the regular IO, like calcium, strontium/molybedum...?)
Thanks...
...James

 

[Scooterman]

If you use IO (regular) I found the a little turbo CA & a little MG is all ever needed, unless you have a high demand on calcium.

 

[sihaya]

Just my opinion/tip - whatever salt you buy, I'd buy it in bulk. I get those huge buckets for like 250g even though I only have a 65g. The more you buy at once, the cheaper it is and the less often you have to worry about inconsistancy in batches. Just make sure you keep it well (i.e. make sure it stays sealed and all).

 

[Zen Reeferer]

Is there an advantage to getting the reef crystals or the regular? (one over the other?)
I like the bulk idea. Will make a few calls before going back into Vegas, thanks.

 

[mungus]

I personally use RC. The only reason is I can get it just as cheap as IO. Last time I paid $33 for the 150g RC.:shock: Its only advantage is that it has more calcium and trace elements in it. I have used both and like both but when I can get it for the same price I alway choose the RC.

Brian

 

[Boomer]

Salt is really a personnel choice or what ever works for you. I used IO for 30 years. Craig Bingman and Randy also use IO.

Buying in bullk is a good idea.

Is there an advantage to getting the reef crystals or the regular? (one over the other?)

It depnds, RC has more Ca++ and higher Alk than IO for example and was put out for reef tanks as IO is low in Ca++.

As far as mixing goes it is not that big a deal, although most of us like to use just one.