Which Reef Salt do YOU use?

[AuntKaren]

We have discovered why our pH is low which has messed with the calcium and/or alk levels. We did a bit of research on the Seachem Reef Salt we started using back in May. It drops the pH to 7.8! :WHY:

So... we are looking for a reef salt that actually keeps the pH to the correct level of 8.3 We are ordering our 180 gallon tank and don't want the same problems with pH etc.

Which salt do YOU use? Why? What are the pros and cons.

Thanks in advance!

[AuntKaren]

Um.... we started using Oceanic last May. What do y'all think about Seachem? Sorry for the flub!

[chrisl1]

I have been using Tropic Marin for years, I think salt needs to be of high quality in a reef tank and should not be overlooked, you would not run a tank with thousands of dollars of coral on an incandesant 40 watt light bulb with an airstone. TM is not cheap but it seems to be one of the better ones.

[lReef lKeeper]

i personally have used Instant Ocean since i got into reef keeping. i chose this brand for it reputation of being one of the best out there. IME i have not had ANY problems with it. so why fix it if it aint broken ??

[muzzy]

TMC salt is rubbish wouldnt even go there, levels of calcium and mg are way low.

I use Kent salt, has high levels of calcium, magnesium and PH is usually above 8 on a fresh mix with dKH over 10.
ideal if you are keeping a reef tank

[dakar]

We use nothing but Oceanic salt mix here.....
while there are a few pros and cons for it we like it, the way high Calcium content is great, almost never having to suplement for calcium, but Alk is a little low, adding baking soda or washing soda (each in turn to maintain constant pH levels) combined simply added to top off keeps Alk dialed in right around 10dKH and calcium holds around 480ppm.

Something seldom taken into consideration when comparing saly mixes is the simple fact that no two water sources are the same, IMO even after passing through an RO/DI the resulting water is seldom to be the same between two people, some trace stuff does stay in the water...

[chrisl1]

"TMC salt is rubbish wouldnt even go there, levels of calcium and mg are way low." -- Muzzy stated--
So now were going to revert to juvenile responses by bashing products? This thread was asking for an opinion not product bashing without and data to back it up, try taking a look at some sites that have a comparrison, I would hardly say the levels are way low, as a matter of fact take a look at this analysis and see how your Kent mix rated, exactly as Tropic Marin did. Pretty interesting facts there huh??
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/11/aafeature1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1/view

This goes to show that there are more things needed by a salt mix than a high level of Magnesium and Calcium, TM and Kent and IO happen to provide more of the necessary elements then alot of other brands. With any Salt you will most likely have to substitute certain things,but I would hardly say that TM is rubbish, that is merely an unproven and uneducated opinion.

[Fatman]

I mainly use ocean water, they sell it at my local fish store (filtered), or anytime I go out during high tide.

[Sea~Horse~Whisperer]

For me I have learned a trick to get the best results. I use both oceanic and Instant ocean. I mix them half and half. Instant ocean is low in calcium, Oceanic is high in calcium. Oceanic gives me low alk and PH, Instant Ocean tends to mix at higher alk and PH levels. By mixing them I get very good results. I haven't tried any other salt mixes due to the fact that no others are available within close driving range. I hope that helps.

Angie

[AuntKaren]

Yes you have all been a nice help. Thanks I will check out the Tropic Marin and I like the idea of mixing two types too. hmmmmm

Thanks All!

[davejnz]

MY suggestion,stay with whatever brand you've been useing.

[mburke]

I have recently switched from IO to Red Sea Coral Pro. REally did not notice a difference in tank parameters. RS salt requires more salt to get the specific gravity right [probably the other readings too. My tank has never been clearer and my refugium grows like crazy. I have to trim my culpera at least weekly if not more often. ALso do not notice the culpera dying off in low flow areas as it was before. Tank parameters are SG 1.024,temp78,PH8.3<ammonia 0,nitrites0,nitrates 10(thats me making my fish fat)calcium 460-470,alk10.5 phosphates 0.

[fishyshawn]

i use coarlife but im not so happy with it

[mummra]

i use IO and Oceanic at a half and half ratio as well.

one parent company (Central Pet) owns both lines of salt, they should really think about marketing it as a half and half mix (or sell the two tegether for you to mix up).

[reefgeek]

I use the oceanic, and have never had a problem with PH... I PH it right before I put it in, and Im always in the 8.3 range. I do expect some drop with lighting cycles, but I prevent with a pinch of buffer in the water for the change... Never had a problem.... PH and ALK are WNL... (within normal limits)

[Sea~Horse~Whisperer]

I already posted that I mix IO and oceanic. I started doing that on my 125G reef tank when calcium was an issue. I "think" I may be able to use just IO in my 65G softy tank and my sea horse tank. It does get expensive buying the 2 buckets of salt at a time. Plus the oceanic is 200G bucket and the IO is 160G. IO is 39.99 at my lfs. Oceanic is 49.99.

[jerryc]

I already posted that I mix IO and oceanic. I started doing that on my 125G reef tank when calcium was an issue. I "think" I may be able to use just IO in my 65G softy tank and my sea horse tank. It does get expensive buying the 2 buckets of salt at a time. Plus the oceanic is 200G bucket and the IO is 160G. IO is 39.99 at my lfs. Oceanic is 49.99.


That is a good price at a LFS the only one around hear charge that much for
a 50 gallon mix.
The reason i order on line.......

[pettee86]

I've always used IO with good results.

[PurpleAardvark]

I use Reef Crystals and have good luck. I think however that the low ph has nothing to do with your salt. Most of the time low ph in a fish tank is cause by a lack of fresh air getting into your house/apt. I know that when I open my windows my ph is perfect, but when I have my apt. all closed up the co2 from me, my cat and my cats stinky butt cause the ph to drop in my tank. Try opening up a window or 2 and see what it does for you. IMO it might help you out more than changing salts. Seachem is a good salt and buffers to 8.35 when you mix it up in r.o. water as do most salts which I won't mention, (IO sorry that sliped). Let me know if this helps you out some I have some other I deas if this doesn't work for you.

[davejnz]

For once,I completely agree with Don :p .If your having trouble with PH,do like the old salts do,use kalk/limewater.....problem solved.

[AuntKaren]

Well it certainly was a lively response! Thanks each of you for your input. We bought the Tropic Marin but we will seriously look at mixing a different salt if we run into the problems we had before. DJ we haven't gotten the nerve to start adding kalk or lime water yet but on the big 180 we probably will be getting a system to help us with that.

Again, thanks everyone for the responses!

[chrisl1]

I seriously doubt, you will have any problems related to salt with TM!

[ramoth41]

We use Reef Crystals and have never had a problem with it.. Salt is one of those topics everyone has a different opinion about.. I've tried Kent but did't like it at all then I found out from a fellow hobbiest/LF store manager that Kent just dosent have enough of "the good stuff" Reef Crystals has. So we went back to RC and never had a problem... I've thought about using some of the others mentioned but I don't want to "screw with the magic"!

purpleardvark said.."Most of the time low ph in a fish tank is cause by a lack of fresh air getting into your house/apt."
I just read an artical in the Aquarium Fish 2007 Annual by Sprung that said exactly that! And I quote....
"Closed homes of offices with a lot of people respiring carbon dioxide can produce lower pH levels." ("Are You Ready for a Reef? pg 100)So open that window gang!! lol

[PurpleAardvark]

The advise was givin to me by two people when I had PH problems, Ereefic and the other one is the name we do not speak.... LOL To be HOnest IMO TP is over priced for their pro salt it is good but for a lower price RC kicks ***. I have used for years and never had a problem that was salt related.

[davejnz]

Once again..I agree with Don.Although i rarely do waterchanges and i also use NSW as well as RC or IO.I have found RC to be compatible with IO.I strongly advise not to go switching salt brands just because this brand or that brand is supposed to be better.If you use IO,you can change to RC without any problems.These are the only 2 brands that i would consider safe to switch between.
If you suspect ambient CO2 levels in the house causing PH problems then take an airstone/airpump and bubble it in the disp[lay t night.If this corrects it,then that was your problem.One more thing,limewater reacts/uses up CO2 levels in the water as well thus raising/stabilizing PH.

[PurpleAardvark]

Dave, I don't know buddy twice in on thread I better stop while I'm ahead. The thread might explode LOL.