What I did was try to mix 1 gallon of each brand of salt at 35ppm SG using RO/DI water. With the Red Sea Mix, I added a level 1/2 scoop of salt to 1 gal water and had to add maybe a half more cup of water to bring SG down to 35ppm. With the Instant Ocean mix, I added the same amount (level 1/2 cup) but had to add about 3 more cups of water to bring the SG down to 35ppm. The Instant Ocean mix definitely has a higher salinity content than the Red Sea salt when measured equally. Anyways, did everything dead on and cleaned and dried all equipment after each salt mix and
water tests. I also used
Salifert test kits for all the parameters.
------------------Red Sea-------- IO------
Calcium(ppm) ------400-----------420
Alk(kh/meq) -----7.4/2.63------10.9/3.89
PH -----------------8.5-----------8.2
Magnesium(ppm) ---1065 ---------1080
Overall, Instant Ocean looks like the brand I will stick with. If I run into any other brands I can get my hands on along the way, I'll post tests on them as well. I'm definitely going to be labeled a nerd now!!! Whatever, nice to know what I'm putting in my tank. The Red Sea leaves a nasty residue behind when mixed and have to strain through floss in sump to be safe. It also takes forever to disolve. The IO on the other hand left zero residue in bucket, not even a speck, and disolved almost immediately when it hit the water. I also did the tests as dead on and accurate as possible.
