Review on 🐠 Instant Ocean Reef Crystals Reef Salt: Ideal Choice for Vibrant Reef Aquariums! by Dawn Adams

Update: I wanted to update my review. They contacted Instant Ocean directly and fixed everything. It took a while, but they sent me a new box of reef crystals. The box arrived in perfect condition and I had no trouble mixing the new water, it may have been the custom box I originally received combined with holes in the plastic bags. I will continue to use Instant Ocean and see what happens. I'm glad they got down to business and took care of the issue, it shows me that they genuinely care about their customers' satisfaction. I've been using Instant Ocean for years and was struggling towards the end so I switched to another well known brand of reef salt. We just bought a new tank and I had to mix 200 gallons of salt. When I saw the price compared to the brand I usually use, I decided to give Instant Ocean another try. The salt arrived and the box was opened. Two bags were hard as rock, the third bag had a lot of big pieces and the fourth was fine. I needed salt and my local store didn't have my usual brand so I decided to give it a try. I started with the 4th bag which was fluffy and crumbly. I slowly poured the salt into my raw container filled with RODI water. I would make a cup or two at a time and let my head mix for me. After about 6 cups I stopped and let it dissolve. Now I remembered one of the reasons I switched brands. It didn't dissolve as easily as my other salt. After 45 minutes there were a lot of chunks and particles (yes, my mixing bowl was very clean before I started) floating in the water. I smashed the rock hard packages with a hammer and dropped some of the larger ones. Place chunks in another brute container filled with water and let mix overnight. They did dissolve, but again very cloudy, large particles. I understand that Instant Ocean is not responsible for the carrier, but I also feel that they can pack the salt better to avoid these kinds of problems. For example, I bought 12 bags of Arag-alive Fiji Pink Sand from Revain. Each 20 pound bag was individually wrapped in bubble wrap. Not a single leak or torn box. Maybe I just got a bad box of Instant Ocean, but after this experience I think I'll go back to another brand of salt. It costs a few euros more, but is crystal clear and dissolves very easily.