pre mixed saltwater

[iroll253]

From what ive read salts with extra minerals such as reef crystals go bad after a few weeks but salts with regular properties such as regular I/O can be stored with no expiration as long as you keep it cold, dark and aerated (circulated). I am saying storing with circulation without heat. I dont think you would have any organisms in your container using synthetic salt and ro/di water under no possible photosynthesis but I could be wrong.

 

[pandora32]

I just use plain ol cheapo IO. Im not a member on rc, can you post the link? Im interested.

 

[NC2WA]

Pandora, I have a 165gallon container that I use for pre mix saltwater..there is a heater in it and I use a eheim 1262 pump for circulation which is constantly on, so like Peppie said should be good for some time

 

[kpiotrowski]

From what ive read salts with extra minerals such as reef crystals go bad after a few weeks but salts with regular properties such as regular I/O can be stored with no expiration as long as you keep it cold, dark and aerated (circulated). I am saying storing with circulation without heat. I dont think you would have any organisms in your container using synthetic salt and ro/di water under no possible photosynthesis but I could be wrong.

Io reef crystal and other brands of "reef" salt mix differ from plain saltwater mix in that they have a higher concentration of calcium, magnesium and carbonate to make roughly a total of 450ppm ca, and 1350ppm mg at a SG of 1.026 at 77dg. where as regular salt mix have a higher concentration of the cheaper sodium cloride in that ratio. keep in mind that specific gravity, salinity, and conductivity are very differnt things and what most of us refer to as salinity is actually measured either by coductivity, or sg and not a true measure of actual sodium but rather a combined total of the big 3, sodium, calcium, magnesium. so, again, at an sg of 1.026 with plain ol salt mix equals much more sodium. With reef salt mix you get a more natural desiable balance with much more calcium.

Sorry I am speaking from previous research and knowledge here and have not researched you claims...but I just can't jump on board with minerals going "bad".

 

[kpiotrowski]

I just use plain ol cheapo IO. Im not a member on rc, can you post the link? Im interested.

I just noticed your reply after posting a response. you may want to research why people use "reef" salts instead of plain salt mix for fish. my recent post talk a bit about it.

 

[NC2WA]

Pandora, I also use plain old cheapo IO salt. It is a solid salt alternative for those that aren't keeping a full blown reef. IO is known to have lower concentration of CA and Mg and will have to be buffered. The mere fact that u have to buffer does NOT constitute it as a cheap salt, nor does it mean the minerals will go bad IMO. I use it as my tank is primarily FOWLR so the high level of CA and Mg is not required as it would be if I were keeping SPS (which I'm not).

 

[mfinn]

I also use plain old Instant Ocean on my 240 soft coral and I do not add anything. Just consistant water changes.

 

[pandora32]

Right in guys. Thanks. Simple question, been answered. Think ill start saving for a premix station/setup.

 

[kpiotrowski]

Just to clarify, I'm on board with plain IO for fowlr,softie, and tanks that recieve lots of water changes. also hope I didn't give the impresion that regular IO is "cheap" salt but that its cheaper ...less expensive, ( by pennies) for the manufactuer...especially compared to mark-up for them to make with less calcium.

IO reef crytals give you 455ppm calcium at sg of 1.026. I have been using kent reef salt because you get over 500ppm calcium at the same sg. even though I dose my sps tank via automatic pumps I consider the extra calcium a bonus for my softy tank so all I ever dose is alk and do occasional water changes.

 

[pandora32]

For me, being jobless and all, cheap, as in money, is better. But i cant put my creatures through CHEAP big pet store brand salts. Started the hobby using petco brand. Changed to IO with the first water change. Never looked back. Thanks for all the info though. Really appreciate it.