Instant ocean salt or reef crystals

[coma_white]

I would probably splurge on the better salt even for a fowlr because you still want good coraline growth which is dependant on a good calcium level. I do have a personal distaste for IO salt...just because no matter what system I have used it on in the past I had algae issues...never the case once salt brands were swapped.

 

[Amphiprion]

You had problems even after boosting magnesium and calcium concentrations?

 

[coma_white]

Yeah, kept magnesium and calcium in proper reef levels, always had algae problems with IO. I could switch to Oceanic, Seachem or Coralife algae vanished within a week. Done that to me several times over the years, tried to use it on a brackish tank I ran a few years ago...same story. I always suspected that the salt itself contained slightly higher levels of phosphate than other brands. Most home hobby grade phosphate kits arnt always so accurate so I havent any hardcore results to back up my suspicions other than the history of algae.