Crystal Marine Mix salt question

Living in a small country like Brunei, means that you have limited access to most things, although marine fish keeping was once big here, with plenty of shops. That has diminished to two.

Until now I have been using IO, I have no idea how old the stock was, but I did notice that my ca levels are like 320 and dkh is 4. I needed more salt so went into one of the shops and saw a new salt Crystal Marine Mix, the bioassay formula. On impulse I thought I would try something else.

Anyway, I decided to do some research on it, and most of the comments seem to be dated back in 2003. Some people were saying that after reading a report by some dr, loads of people made the change and had tank crashes or coral bleaching.

Others are saying that they have had great success and glad they made to move. It was also suggested that maybe to big a change was made instead of slowly integrating it.

I would like to try it now that I have bought it, but obviously very slowly. What would you suggest, 5% a week?

Also, as these comments were made over 8 years ago, has the product improved and is anybody using it.

I'm a bit nervous and would rather use something like IO reef crystals, but unfortunately I don't have the choice.

If it is felt I shouldn't take the risk with this salt, I will bin it as I don't want to risk crashing my tank

Thanks

 

The label "bioassay formula" indicates that it's a laboratory grade salt mix, and to me at least, that would mean it's the best you can get.

As far as tanks crashing from changing salt mixes, I have to agree with you- when parameters don't match, it's possible to move too quickly.

I would definitely switch if it were available locally, but definitely change no more than 5% weekly and introduce the new water into your system slowly so you don't shock your tanks inhabitants.

 

Thanks Bill, that's reassuring. Well they didn't have it in the store before, and there is about 6 bags of it now. So as it's new stock, hopefully it will be what they get in from now on. Cool, so I will do small changes weekly.

Thanks again

 

You could always double check the new salt by mixing it up and testing the water with what ever test kits you have too.

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