Oceanic V. Seachem

Judge · 04-05-2008, 01:20 PM

Hi all. All is well, stillhave a slight problem with cyanobacteria. Am doing more water changes. My LFS does not carry Oceanic Natural Salt Mix. He stated it is too expensive, most people do not ask for it, and he has had complaints that it contributes to cyanobacteria/red slime algae. I made no remark but asked if there was a problem using a different salt mix than the one I have been using and was told no. What say ya'll?? Can you think of any problems with switching to a different brand AND has anyone heard about the Oceanic brand being prone to contribute to bacteria/algae problems? Thanks

Judge
55 gal SW 4 Emeral Crabs
55 lbs. LR 10 Bl. Legged Hermits
40 lbs. LS 15 Nassarius
30 lbs CC 20 margarita
7 sea urchins 4 peppermint shrimp
3 BG Chromis several anemone
red mushrooms

Nereaga · 04-05-2008, 02:03 PM

Hey Judge,

IMO/IME, there is no harm is switching salts mid stream. I did it myself, I switch from Instant Ocean to Coralife. I like the Coralife Salt a lot. I don't have to buffer much when using it....

Take a look at this study:

http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dyn.../1/default.asp

Judge · 04-05-2008, 02:46 PM

I appreciate the info Nereaga. I checked out the article...whew, and people think law school is tough!!! i'd never make it as a chemist or scientific thinker! However, I did not notice a lot of significant differences between the brands. Did I misinterpret? Again, I really am thankful for all the good FTF people who have helped.

Hello again, I think I managed to get a photo of the Chromis and Anemone. I am checking to see if it loaded it ok. Thanks.

Dr.Fragenstein · 07-31-2008, 07:55 PM

I've been heavily involved in the great salt debate of '08 on RC and on the WRS my local club, Coralife has incredibly high Ca-560ish and the alk is like 13, oceanic is very similar and made by the same company. I would go with the Coralife first as it is less expensive but if you are using tap your kH is probably going to be through the roof! I am using a mix of Crystal Sea Marinemix and Coralife and the kH is still too high for my blood so I guess its back to the drawing board. I have tested many salts and posted them on our clubs site and they were almost identical to billybeau1 of RC

Nereaga · 07-31-2008, 08:26 PM

I too have gazed through those threads on RC. Billy is a credible source, IMO.

My tests wil confirm with both of yours, calcium and alk are both unusually high. But Randy Holmes says that higher calcium will not effect livestock.

Dr.Fragenstein · 08-02-2008, 08:39 AM

But higher Ca effects the ionic balance if you will, that includes kH and pH, no solution can have an overwhelming amount of anything before it falls out of solution. Essentially we are running our tanks at a supersaterated solution, so if too much goes in some most come out. Also, think of pH,kH and Ca as the scales the lady of justice holds, if one goes down the other goes up. The analogy doesn't make sense written down but it makes sense in my head. Typically extremely high Ca results in depressed pH or kH, and if it doesn't your tank will start to "snow" CaCO3

Nereaga · 08-02-2008, 09:13 AM

I agree with you 1000%!

I haven't had any snowing yet. So I guess I am not overly saturated yet!

Good discussion Dr!

My pH runs a bit low, due to the fact that my apt. is always closed up with the central air running.

Randy Holmes is the man! He has taught me a lot in this venture of mine....

Brad