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| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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06-07-2006, 04:46 PM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Forest Lake, MN
Posts: 456
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What salt is best? RO/DI Questions & Mixing questions
Well, after spending $50 in the last 2 weeks on mixed SW and RO water, I finaly decided to buy a RO/DI unit...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Reef-Aquarium-RO...QQcmdZViewItem
Along with an inline TDS meter...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7772517790
Questions...
Is there one brand of salt that seems to be the best?
Do you buy your salt on-line? Or, is it too costly to ship?
I have extra powerheads - so mixing shouldnt be a problem. What do you mix yours in? How long will the mix last...if it's covered, heated, & the powerhead is on? Got a pic of your mixing station? Looking for ideas.
I'd like to plan before the unit arrives. I'm sure the directions will tell me...
do I plumb in before or after the water softener. BTW I have well water.
Thanks in advance,
Dave
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06-07-2006, 05:32 PM
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#2
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Shark
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York City area
Posts: 2,758
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do not buy salt online, the shipping kills. Buy it from the LFs. I would suggest absulutley nothing but Kent or Instant Ocean/ Reef crystals. IMO, reef crystals. I dont know anything about ro/di units so I cant help you there. Mine is mixed in a 10 Gal scoop away container which I seal and age overnight or use immeditly.
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J
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06-07-2006, 06:08 PM
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#3
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Rockin-Roll Mod
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Coal Valley Illinois
Posts: 5,428
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Reef crystals JMO
Brent.
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06-07-2006, 06:17 PM
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#4
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The Muddy Mod
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Uxbridge, MA
Posts: 5,522
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Butch
***Factory Trained BMW Driver***
****Proud member of the PRG**** 
*President of Tri-State Reef Society*
"I'm King of the Sea People" - Cartman 
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06-07-2006, 07:26 PM
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#5
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Plankton
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 10
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I bought 6 200g buckets of Oceanic from Foster and Smith. Shipping was 18.00 for everything
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06-07-2006, 10:01 PM
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#6
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Shark
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: maryland
Posts: 1,019
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by dobbs
Well, after spending $50 in the last 2 weeks on mixed SW and RO water, I finaly decided to buy a RO/DI unit...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Reef-Aquarium-RO...QQcmdZViewItem
Along with an inline TDS meter...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7772517790
Questions...
Is there one brand of salt that seems to be the best?
THERE IS NO BEST, IO, REEF CRYSTALS, ARE FINE.
Do you buy your salt on-line? Or, is it too costly to ship?
NEVER HAVE MYSELF ALWAYS THE LFS.
I have extra powerheads - so mixing shouldnt be a problem. What do you mix yours in? How long will the mix last...if it's covered, heated, & the powerhead is on? Got a pic of your mixing station? Looking for ideas.
I MIX MINE IN A 5 GALLON JUG. PROBABLY YOU ONLY NEED 24 HOURS TO EQUILIBRATE. I DONT KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL LAST BUT OVER TIME YOUR SG WILL GO UP FROM EVAPORATION. I DONT KNOW WHY YOU WOULDNT JUST MIX IT WHEN YOU NEED IT AND ADD IT AFTER 24HOURS.
I'd like to plan before the unit arrives. I'm sure the directions will tell me...
do I plumb in before or after the water softener. BTW I have well water.
HMM INTERESTING QUESTION. THE SOFTENER JUST SUBSTITUTES SODIUM IONS FOR CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS DECISION EFFECTS THE LIFESPAN OF THE MEMBRANE AND THE OTHER FILTERS, MORE THAN THE HEALTH OF THE TANK, I WOULD THINK. I SUSPECT THAT AFTER THE SOFTENER WOULD BE EASIER ON THE UNIT, BUT I DONT HAVE ANY GOOD EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE TO BACK ME UP ON THIS.
Thanks in advance,
Dave |
Comments inserted in the quote, in CAPS.
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Founding Member of the
Last edited by Tim224DT; 06-07-2006 at 11:19 PM.
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06-07-2006, 11:00 PM
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#7
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BIG SMELLY MOD
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Denham Springs, LA
Posts: 18,739
Reviews: 21
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I like Reef Cystal/ instant ocean .
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 Vince aka VINNIE 
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06-07-2006, 11:19 PM
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#8
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Milkshake Man
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 9,643
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I use IO salt and love it!
I add some Seachem reef advantage Ca to my salt mix for WC's and some Marine buffer. I like it mix in the bucket for 24-48 hours before using.
Tim |
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06-07-2006, 11:22 PM
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#9
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Cabana Boy
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Miami, Fl
Posts: 2,070
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has anyone ever used oceanic? I was given some of it, was wondering if its any good
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06-07-2006, 11:23 PM
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#10
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Milkshake Man
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 9,643
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by afbengochea
has anyone ever used oceanic? I was given some of it, was wondering if its any good
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It is good salt just to much $$ for me to keep buying.
The only reason i use IO is becuase it is the cheapest salt my LFS sells.  ohh and yeah it is good salt.
Tim
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06-07-2006, 11:26 PM
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#11
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photomod
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Montana
Posts: 5,897
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I use IO. As stated there is no "best," just what we like.  |
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06-07-2006, 11:28 PM
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#12
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Denham Springs, LA
Posts: 18,739
Reviews: 21
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oceanic is the cheapest salt here.
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Vince aka VINNIE
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06-08-2006, 02:28 AM
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#13
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Saltwater Mom
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ga
Posts: 5,868
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I have always used oceanic. One of the better priced here as well. I do 5 gallon water changes so I use a 10 gallon trash can (new of course) and mix as needed. Run with powerhead 24 hrs and then change. I use distilled water(no ro/di at my walmart). Never had any problems.
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Jena
Newest member of the BRW crowd!
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06-08-2006, 10:33 AM
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#14
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Little Fishy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Forest Lake, MN
Posts: 456
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Quote:
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HMM INTERESTING QUESTION. THE SOFTENER JUST SUBSTITUTES SODIUM IONS FOR CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS DECISION EFFECTS THE LIFESPAN OF THE MEMBRANE AND THE OTHER FILTERS, MORE THAN THE HEALTH OF THE TANK, I WOULD THINK. I SUSPECT THAT AFTER THE SOFTENER WOULD BE EASIER ON THE UNIT, BUT I DONT HAVE ANY GOOD EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE TO BACK ME UP ON THIS.
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I emailed the company about this. Here is their response...
You can use it in either place. If you have very hard water, using softened water will help to prolong the life of the unit some. But you will get the same quality water in either place.
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06-08-2006, 10:37 AM
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#15
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Stinky Slimey FEESH
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,188
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I use Kent Reef Salt, always have, and my LFS carries it relatively cheap in big buckets. I have a Kent Maxxima RO/DI unit and they told me to use a flush kit ($11 online) on the membrane every six months because I have extremely hard water.
HHC
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You can't kill a fish born to hang.....
135-gal Oceanic reef, MH, PC, Lunar
12-gal Nanocube
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