Salt time, need options and opinions

[jstan]

So I need to buy new salt, and I've been looking at all the choices out there. And well there's a lot to choose from normally I'm a reef crystals guy.

But I'm thinking of switching to either
Neo marine from brightwell aquatics, but read mixed reviews when it hit the scene a few years ago. Has it gotten better, or lived up to its claims yet ?

And the other option is tropic Marin pro reef salt mix. A bit pricier but nothing but great reviews.

So what do guys and girls think/use ? Let me know,thanks.

Or if there's a better option, not mentioned, I'd like to hear it.

[AJ :)]

I use reef crystals or instant ocean , but i'm thinking of trying out Seachem Salinity salt. My LFS has switched, and that has me thinking. For me availability is important as it is 35 minutes to my LFS. :(

[MizTanks]

If it isn't broke why fix it? I've been using RC for 3 years and personally it's been a great salt mix, at a great price.
I get a bucket or box delivered to my door, free shipping via DFS for $54. Same bucket at my LFS is $74
It's a good salt period! So why pay more for the same results?

[jstan]

Cause I've been having issues with the last few batches I've mixed up. Low salinity and such, time for a change. Besides sometimes change is good.

[jim48442]

i switched to salinity and mag lvls are always great no dosing and the rest are pretty good as well corals seem to like it better as well works for me

[jstan]

Switched to which one

Neo marine
Or
Tropic Marin pro.

[Poseidon]

Switching salts is the single most dangerous thing you can do to your Reef... If you choose to make a change do it SLOW.

I had an AWFUL experience last time I switched salts, I went to that "Bio Assay" salt from I forget who that Dr Ron had shown good results with. I ended up bleaching corals, and losing some too, and this is when I was NEW to corals, and had hardy pieces like Stylophora. (I followed the instructions on RC for switching, making only small water changes... etc.)

[04charedcompg]

I have been running tropic marin for a year and half now and am extremely happy with it, i had low alk in my last bucket but this one and the one before that were great! just switch supppperrrr slow!! i did a full water change like a dumb a#* and lost a few corals but now i couldnt be happier with it!

[jstan]

Thanks both for the going slow advice. I would've just jumped in without a thought.
Still haven't decided on one or the other, though I'm edging towards Tropic Marin.

[dknuckles]

I've had so many issues w/ RC I switched to ESV.
Color and polyp extension are unbelievable. Mixes perfectly clean every time.


Go slow and you will be fine

[jstan]

It's funny you mentioned that one, I was just looking at it last night. So is it easy to mix ? the dry/wet thing was throwing me off a little. That and the price for a 200 gallon mix.

[dknuckles]

It is not really that bad after couple times. I buy the 200 and break it up into 4 batches of 50 (a little cheaper that way)
The dry wet thing is that you have to mix in an exact order 1-salt dry 2- mag dry 3- liquid A 4- liquid B.
I gladly pay the additional cost for the performance it provides

[jstan]

I think I'll buy a small batch of the esv and give it a try. Not my first choice, but it great reviews across the board. Thanks Dknuckles for the input.

[dknuckles]

You are welcome, I am always glad to help :)

BTW
To save a lot of search time Marine Depot is the cheapest after including the shipping costs. Others places list cheaper salt price then nail u on shipping. (it is heavy)

[creefer]

I second David on the ESV. It's a bit pricey, but if you manage the proportions correctly as directed, it works extremely well. I changed nearly 2 years ago and have not looked back since. It's great stuff.

[jduck]

With the Premium Aquatics Sale it is 10% off brings it down to 76.49, just spend over 175 for free shipping.

[binford4000]

Switched to which one

Neo marine
Or
Tropic Marin pro.

I really like the neo marine. Levels are rock solid and unlike any other salt a fresh mix actually has the same levels advertised on the bucket. Switching salts can be very hard on your corals as Poseidon pointed out.The transition to another brand should take at least six months. Neo marine actually has instructions on the bucket for best results of changeing to their salt. Tropic Marine is also a very good salt but before you decide to make this drastic change I would really think hard of what species you want to keep in the future and is the salt brand available near your home and constantly in stock! Either one would allow you to keep a stable water column for advanced to beginner systems. Like Miz stated R/C is also a good salt and no other brand is used more often but does have alk level issues from time to time but this can be easily correct with doaseing or buffering depending on the alk level you maintain. So price,availability and species demand all need to be considered. In my book neo marine is the best cost effective salt that meets my demands tho. Just my 02 tho. :oldman:

[jstan]

So I was all set to order the ESV, then you had to go and chime in about the neo marine ( and I've seen your tank). Glad to see your staying in the hobby Binford, I expect to see a wall full of mowhawks soon. If you ever need more let me know.

[binford4000]

Lol ! ESV is a good salt but the price and difficult availability not to mention the added measureing and mixing and testing really turned me off to it. I like simple and dependable so it's neo for me. And yeah I'll take more mohawks for the new tank wall!! Good luck and pet connections has a great price on neo marine.50 bucks a bucket fyi and they almost always have atleast one

[dputt88]

Ive always used salinity by aquavitro. Never used esv or neo though so i cant say how they compare. I can tell you that IMO the switch from rc to salinity or something comparable is a no brainer. I had endless troubles with rc and after i completed the switch to.salinity i really have began to enjoy the hobby and water changes are a breeze and come with peace of mind now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

[schminksbro]

Reef Crystals
http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/tank-month/schminksbros-small-polyp-scleractinian-stoney-coral-garden-9133/

[CUNAReefer]

Lol ! ESV is a good salt but the price and difficult availability not to mention the added measureing and mixing and testing really turned me off to it. I like simple and dependable so it's neo for me. And yeah I'll take more mohawks for the new tank wall!! Good luck and pet connections has a great price on neo marine.50 bucks a bucket fyi and they almost always have atleast one

+1 on Neo. I used RC for a while and switched due to some of the inconsistencies of the batches. I run a ZEO tank so the lower alk is very important to me (7.5). When my alk drifts higher then 8.5, I experience burnt tips. The NEO salt mixes clean and does not leave residue at the bottom of the mixing container. Potassium is also very important to my zeo system. I sent an email to Brightwell Aquatics and they confirmed that a new batch of fresh saltwater at 1.025 will have a potassium level of 400. I've tested the potassium on a couple of new buckets and all have been very close to 400. The ESV sounds nice, but mixing my own salt just sounds like extra work.

Here is a link to the Neo Marine Salt technical data:

Brightwell Aquatics - NeoMarine (http://www.brightwellaquatics.com/products/neomarinet.php)

Warmest Regards,
James

[binford4000]

+1 on Neo. I used RC for a while and switched due to some of the inconsistencies of the batches. I run a ZEO tank so the lower alk is very important to me (7.5). When my alk drifts higher then 8.5, I experience burnt tips. The NEO salt mixes clean and does not leave residue at the bottom of the mixing container. Potassium is also very important to my zeo system. I sent an email to Brightwell Aquatics and they confirmed that a new batch of fresh saltwater at 1.025 will have a potassium level of 400. I've tested the potassium on a couple of new buckets and all have been very close to 400. The ESV sounds nice, but mixing my own salt just sounds like extra work.

Here is a link to the Neo Marine Salt technical data:

Brightwell Aquatics - NeoMarine (http://www.brightwellaquatics.com/products/neomarinet.php)

Warmest Regards,
James

Good to see ya on CR James !! Welcome aboard. :snorkel:

[CUNAReefer]

Thanks, Chuck!!! Glad to finally be part of the community. Its been a while since I seen your tank. The last time I was over, you were just setting it up. And just an FYI, your old GEO Reactor is alive and kicking. That reactor is one of the best purchases I have ever made!

James

[jstan]

Ended up buying a tub of neo marine, couldn't pass on the price. $50 for a 150 gl mix bucket. Made a small batch on wed, did a small 15gallon water change last night. Everything is looking awesome this morning, I'm happy. Have to run a few tests later after work today, but so far so good.

Thanks for all the advice and help everyone.

[CUNAReefer]

You made the right choice IMHO. I perform 20% water changes weekly with this salt and absolutely love it. I'm down to my last bucket, so I am about to restock for the next six months :)

James

[jstan]

Well, it's been a month since I've started using the Neo Marine. Have had nothing but great results so far. Big two thumbs up for me, if anyone is thinking of switching.

Thanks Binford, schminksbro, James, and everyone else for there input.