Reef Crystals any better the regular IO?

[Blazer88]

Just as the title states, is it worth the extra $4?

[BLKTANG]

if your keeping sps,IMO yes its better.CA,&Mg readings r better.

[Blazer88]

Yep, I have a few pieces of SPS and would like to get more.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I use Instant Ocean (which I think may be a better mix in some respects than Reef Crystals), and then I boost the calcium by 70 ppm with Dowflake and magnesium by 150 ppm with MAG flake (the magnesium boosts it above normal, but is used to offset calcification loses in the tank).

[Hobster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8648053#post8648053 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
I use Instant Ocean (which I think may be a better mix in some respects than Reef Crystals), and then I boost the calcium by 70 ppm with Dowflake and magnesium by 150 ppm with MAG flake (the magnesium boosts it above normal, but is used to offset calcification loses in the tank).

Randy, can you expand on that? Why is IO a better mix? Did they leave something out of the RC so they could increase the Ca and Mg a little?:)

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

There seems to be more in the way of certain metals in Reef Crystals in an analysis done by the manufacturer of both:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2004/feature.htm

[Hobster]

Thanks. I sort of remember that article. Did he every do a part 2?

With the exception of Chromium, they seem pretty close.
From the graphs, I notced that NSW as a much higher amount of Aluminum than any of the SSS. Why is that?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I haven't seen a part 2 published, although I think he may have spoken about it.

Zinc too is much higher in RC. Nickel and vanadium also seem higher.