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Instant Ocean Reef Crystals (why I quit)

Reef Rookies - Teaching you Saltwater Aquaria

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After years in the saltwater hobby, I've officially decided to stop using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals in my reef tanks. In this video, I break down the exact reasons behind this switch and why I no longer use it or recommend it.

Choosing the right salt mix is one of the foundational decisions in reef keeping. Whether you’re setting up your very first nano tank or managing a mature mixed reef, here’s what you need to consider before picking or switching your salt brand.

Check out my website: www.reefrookies.com for all things reefy!

20 Comments

@reefrookies Creator 2 weeks ago Pinned

Check out the website yo! www.reefrookies.com

@TrackRhino 2 weeks ago

I’ve had this exact same thing happen. Alk was at 16 dKH. I could not figure out how that was possible. Switched salt, never happened again. I will say I did not have any idea that was what fixed it. I tried everything else. Appreciate this!

@straightener-m2o1x 2 weeks ago

Thanks for the heads up. I'm just starting out in the hobby doing my research. Excellent job.

@JimmyW-j8o 2 weeks ago

Thanks for this info. I have been using Red sea salt for about 10 years and love it. I had issues with ph with instant ocean.

@LucasDesjardins 2 weeks ago (edited)

I used instant ocean purple bucket when I got into the hobby. I was buying it from my mentor already made when I got into the hobby, and it was working well. I moved away and went to make my first batch of salt with I/O and the alk was off the chart so was calcium and magnesium. I still have a brand new bag of the salt in a bucket I used a total of 5 scoops. Switched to reef salt made by aquaforest and haven’t looked back

@tjc501 2 weeks ago

Thank you. Been having issues too but everything has been low and this is what I use.

@mexicancustard7714 2 weeks ago

I used IO to start my tank for the first three months. Switched to Nyos in April this year and couldn't be happier

@paulhopkins1905 2 weeks ago

I used the purple bucket IO salt for years and it was fine. It just mixed slow and dirty. I switched to Aquaforest Reef Salt and am completely satisfied. I can mix it and use it 20 mins later and it mixes clean

@Jackal799 2 weeks ago

I switched from reef crystals due to inconsistent batches to tropic Marin pro reef. Very happy with this salt. They have a QR code with the icp on the box for each batch.

@johnfellers5691 2 weeks ago

I've been using IO forever without major issues but switched to Reef Crystals about 7 months ago as I wanted to keep more corals. Boy have I had a tough time keeping calcium and Magnesium where it needed to be (both were sky high) Now I've switched back to standard IO and revert to dosing to keep levels where they need to be. This forces me to test every week which I think is the best way to go anyway. I did just realize that when I bought my last bucket of standard IO that I completely forget to mix it!

@cavebro88 2 weeks ago

I went from IO Reef Crystals to Coral Pro and ohhhh my goodness, such a nice change!

@johnroberts9787 2 weeks ago

I have used this salt for 30 years without issue. I have also seen bad batches and problems with a few different brands in those same 30 years.

@thestephensons4520 2 weeks ago

I used Instant Ocean decades ago, but more recently have been using Tropic Marin. I had no complaints about Instant Ocean, but again, that was a long time ago. I have had no problems with Tropic Marin either, but I did have a BIG problem with a defective refractometer that was giving me bad readings and made me think I had a problem with the salt.

@Ryxtek 2 weeks ago

I went from IO Reef Crystals -> AquaForest Reef Salt+ -> Red Sea Coral Pro Salt -> IO Reef Crystals because I saw no difference. Then, I started getting major algae outbreaks. Someone finally explained that if I don't have SPS (I don't), that I don't need these types of salt. AquaForest Reef Salt (non-plus) is now my go-to and won't change again.

@MR2C75 2 weeks ago

Well that explains why my alkalinity and calcium is high. My magnesium is very low. I bought two bags of instant ocean reef crystals last month. I never had this problem before. Every time I did a water change, my parameters were off. This explains a lot cause I couldn't figure it out. I thought l was losing my mind. Thank you Mr. Logan for sharing this. What salt should I go with now. Been using instant ocean for 15 years!

@christopherfinny 2 weeks ago

I experienced the high alkalinity with reef crystals, and my aquarium salinity would not stay up with ATO. I am now using red sea low alk., and I am very pleased with the stability of this salt. I pay more, but very worth it.

@RiverhillMaple 2 weeks ago

I’m actually getting ready to switch after I open this last case of reef crystals. I’ll be going to fauna Marin pro reef blend

@roberttorres7208 2 weeks ago

The correct way to make any salt is the whole bucket at one time. These buckets sit in stores for months sometimes years before used. This applies to all brands. This is why the 200g box is done in multiple bags not one big bag.

@joshjames4339 2 weeks ago

Couldn’t have come at a better time.
Was just getting ready to pull the trigger on some. Guess I’ll stick with the Fritz RPM

@tedmontague 2 weeks ago

I had the same thing happen with IO purple a few years ago. Two buckets absolutely off the charts alkalinity. I also emailed them and they blew me off. Then earlier this year I reluctantly tried IO again because I got a great deal on three buckets. All three buckets had extremely low magnesium around 1000. I only noticed because my trident kept showing my mag declining. Finally tested the salt and found that. Bought another mag test kit to verify. Same issue. After these incidents I’m done.