Salts

[ReeferRob]

I need another bucket of salt and Im not sure which I want to buy.

Whats the latest and greatest right now?

Did BW finally get the Alk numbers down to advertised numbers?

What are you using, why, what you like etc.
:scouting:

[jimsflies]

Rob-

If you want to post a list of salts you are/would consider, I will (figure out how to) setup a poll.:D

[ReeferRob]

BrightWells
Reef Crystals
Red Sea Coral Pro
D-D H2Ocean
Tropic Marin

Ive been using RC for ever, tried RSCP and had some major issues but couldn't definitivily tie back to the salt mix.

Every one is talking about low Alk right now and my RC test out on fresh mix in the 8-9 range.

[ReeferRob]

Kick butt you got the poll working!! I see a few votes already but what about,

What are you using, why,how long, what you like etc.
Pro's or Con's

[thefishgirl]

I also have a box of Crystal Sea MarineMix. I've been hesitant about using that after reading some threads on it from a few years ago. I think if I start a new tank with it, I'll be OK. Something about mixing salt brands can be bad news for a tank. Not sure, would definitely expect someone with more experience than me to comment on that.

[hardcz]

screw reef crystals.... Red Sea Coral Pro is where it's at!

[ReeferRob]

screw reef crystals.... Red Sea Coral Pro is where it's at!

Care to elaborate on that?

[hardcz]

Care to elaborate on that?

Mostly because my views on life make me right and everyone else is wrong or has ideas that I could adopt as my own.... but yea :rolleyes:

I wrote this up at another site long ago....

I found the following at reefcentral (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1287118)

These are not any official numbers, but should give everyone an idea where the salt mixes should be after mixing.


Here is a list of what I measured for the big three in a number of the salt mixes we use today. This is intended as a guideline and I, in no way, guarantee these figures. All I can say is they were all tested under the same conditions, with a number of different brand test kits, using the same methods for each test. I believe these numbers are reasonably what you can expect from these salts mixed at 35 ppt or 1.0264

Aquatic Gardens

CA 430
DKH 8
MG 1240

CoraLife

CA 560
DKH 9
MG 1380

Instant Ocean

CA 350
DKH 12
MG 1070

Kent

CA 540
DKH 11
MG 1200

Oceanic

CA 580
DKH 8.5
MG 1650

OceanPure

CA 510
DKH 10
MG 1320

Red Sea

CA 400
DKH 8
MG 1300

Red Sea Coral Pro

CA 490
DKH 7
MG 1300

Reef Crystals

CA 420
DKH 12
MG 1260

SeaChem Marine Salt

CA 500
DKH 10
MG 1400

SeaChem Reef Salt

CA 540
DKH 10
MG 1450

Tropic Marin

CA 375
DKH 10
MG 1230

Tropic Marin Pro Reef

CA 450
DKH 8.5
MG 1380



And then some numbers we've gathered from manufacturers



Per my conversation with Lou Ekus today, I can hopefully explain the true differences between Tropic Marin and Tropic Marin Pro Reef J
Note: Mr. Ekus has ‘read and approved’ the following. If you have questions, contact Lou Ekus, Director of US Operations, Tropic Marin USA, 44 Center Street, Montague, MA. 01351, voice: 413-367-0101, fax: 413-367-0144, www.tropicmarin-usa.com.

There are ONLY three differences between Tropic Marin (TM) and Tropic Marin Pro Reef (TM PR):
Alkalinity
Calcium
Magnesium
ALL other components (70 trace elements and major salts) are exactly the same.

Tropic Marin at a specific gravity of 1.024 has:
9-10 dKH
380 ppm Ca
1100 ppm Mg

Tropic Marin Pro Reef at a specific gravity of 1.024 has:
6.5 – 7.0 dKH
420 ppm Ca
1350 ppm Mg

Tropic Marin Pro Reef was designed for reefs that tend to acquire a high alkalinity after years of using calcium reactors and kalkwasser. Keeping a lower alkalinity has been found to allow corals to better absorb calcium. Depending on the values of alkalinity in your reef , it might be best to use Tropic Marin instead of TM Pro Reef, or vice versa.

In slightly different terms, the ONLY good reason for using Tropic Marin Pro-Reef is if the alkalinity in your tank is continuing to rise to an undesirable level and you don’t want to contribute to that rising level with water changes. It is important to note that using Pro-Reef will not lower your alk but will not contribute to the rise as the original formula might. That slightly higher levels of Mg and Ca in the Pro-Reef are NOT a reason for using it because you are adding so much Ca and Mg on a daily basis anyway to your tank.



Red Sea Pro
at a salinity of 35ppt = 1.025 / 77F
MG 1316
CA 480
K 397
S 999

Red Sea Salt (hard to read the numbers for this)

Salinity of 35ppt - 1.025 77/F

MG 1270-80
CA 400
K 370
S 790

[Rook]

I also have a box of Crystal Sea MarineMix. I've been hesitant about using that after reading some threads on it from a few years ago. I think if I start a new tank with it, I'll be OK. Something about mixing salt brands can be bad news for a tank. Not sure, would definitely expect someone with more experience than me to comment on that.

Don't use it. I used it for a long time with no problems, but I saw too many local reefers have horrible problems with this salt. While no one can certainly pinpoint the salt as the problem, the evidence was enough for me to switch.

I use and have used Tropic Marin for years and I'm very happy with it. Preuss uses this as well. The only problem, is that I don't know who sells it in SE Michigan :(

[hardcz]

I've found mostly if you can swing it, buy 2+ buckets online with cheap flat rate shipping and you can get it at a decent discount.

[Rabidgoose]

RC for me, more available and pretty consistent numbers. I age my mixed SW and add magnesium. Plus I bought 8 buckets awhile back before the price hike.:D

[Rook]

Where do you buy it from? Premium Aquatics is like $25 shipping. Foster and Smith is high priced to begin with. I wonder if Preuss will ship; or I'll have to make the drive; they sell it for $65 ish, which is about the best price I've seen.

[Rabidgoose]

Alas, the good prices are gone. I got it from the doctors with an old catalog code. It has been some time ago now. I believe the Trop has the best price on RC now.

[spookey]

i will be going with Reef Crystals

[Fishgeek88]

I actually use regular instant ocean. I buy it because of the price and availability...never steered me wrong.

[hardcz]

I mostly don't like reef crystals because here's how it started... one guy goes i use reef crystals, and the other guy goes, that's cool, your tank rocks, I'll use reef crystals... and it is cheaper than most so people go hot damn and then it spreads... pretty soon you have everyone swears by it.... just how eggs are bad for you.... but wait. reef crystals has not been without its share of blemishes.... that nasty brown sludge when mixing it.... yeaaaa... is it gone.. who knows... does it surface from time to time? Probably.

Personally I did the research and went with the salt that had the stats I was looking for and the price came second. It is slightly more than reef crystals though not out of the park like tropic marin.... which I really want... but oh well.

All I gotta say about this is don't be a slave to others suggestions and advice, you gotta scrape your own knees and learn for yourself.

[ReeferRob]

I mostly don't like reef crystals because here's how it started... one guy goes i use reef crystals, and the other guy goes, that's cool, your tank rocks, I'll use reef crystals... and it is cheaper than most so people go hot damn and then it spreads... pretty soon you have everyone swears by it.... just how eggs are bad for you.... but wait. reef crystals has not been without its share of blemishes.... that nasty brown sludge when mixing it.... yeaaaa... is it gone.. who knows... does it surface from time to time? Probably.

Personally I did the research and went with the salt that had the stats I was looking for and the price came second. It is slightly more than reef crystals though not out of the park like tropic marin.... which I really want... but oh well.

All I gotta say about this is don't be a slave to others suggestions and advice, you gotta scrape your own knees and learn for yourself.

Nice quote but sometimes its okay to save a little of your own skin by learning through others trials and tribulations.
Thats why we all visit these forums on the regular anyway right?

[hardcz]

Nice quote but sometimes its okay to save a little of your own skin by learning through others trials and tribulations.
Thats why we all visit these forums on the regular anyway right?

heck no, I visit because I'm bored or are "working" :duh:

Part of making your own choice is to take in all knowledge possible, be it truth or fiction. Sort through it and then make an educated guess with what you feel is right. Otherwise why not just pay someone to come set it all up and tell you what to do....

And if anyone wants to pay me to do that, I am available with competitive rates :D

[Mike]

Using the Brightwell salt. I ahve a local source now for it so ordering it online is not a hassle. The fish docs in Ypsilanti are carrying the full line of BW products including the salt.

[Fishgeek88]

Using the Brightwell salt. I ahve a local source now for it so ordering it online is not a hassle. The fish docs in Ypsilanti are carrying the full line of BW products including the salt.

Whats the general price of that stuff?

[lionhead]

I originally used instant ocean when I had started my tank. I switched to using reef crystals after I started buying up corals and getting away from fish only setups. My calcium and alk stays up but occasionally I have to add some mag. My mag stays in the low 1300, Alk is high about 12, and calcium stays between 450-500. This was what it was at last time I checked it. I was wanting to switch over to the brightwell salt but no one near me carries much of the brightwell products. Plus I tend to find more deals on the Reef crystals on some of the online sites.

[The Rugger]

For what it's worth I use Kent Sea Salt. My Trusted LFS uses it and recommended it. It is a bit more but I have had no issues.

[Werdlone]

I have used RC forever with good results. I never expect the batches of salt mixes to be perfect. I usually do my water change and wait a few hours and test my water parameters. Adjust as needed from there. I just make sure the temp and salinity are in line with the tank. I just recently switched to brightwells...(only one water change so far). We'll see how it goes.

Hardcz...I love when you stir the pot!! hilarious

[schminksbro]

I am currently using RC but I don't like it. I am trying to decide on what I am going to switch to. I am leaning toward BW but I am not sold yet.

[dejavu]

Here's my take on salt mixes... if you care to hear. I have test a lot of salts for our club a year ago. Salt mixes always change... most likely the reason that you don't see many study's published. All have positive and negative depending on your needs. Their might be a "prefect" salt out their but I have yet to find one.

What I have done is take a mix of my favorite salts. Why? There are to many story's of bad batch going around. My hopes is that if I mix a few different salt mixes that I like, I can avoid a disaster. I spend to much to relay on one salt of ruin everything. Not only is this protect for my tank... I can get the best that each salt has to offer. It also allow me to add more of what my tank need at each water change.

I test each salt and record their parameters. So if salt A is high in Mg and my tank needs more, I add a little more to my makeup water.

[speedstar]

Do you mix them dry prior to adding water? mix three separately with water then add? What three do you use?





Here's my take on salt mixes... if you care to hear. I have test a lot of salts for our club a year ago. Salt mixes always change... most likely the reason that you don't see many study's published. All have positive and negative depending on your needs. Their might be a "prefect" salt out their but I have yet to find one.

What I have done is take a mix of my favorite salts. Why? There are to many story's of bad batch going around. My hopes is that if I mix a few different salt mixes that I like, I can avoid a disaster. I spend to much to relay on one salt of ruin everything. Not only is this protect for my tank... I can get the best that each salt has to offer. It also allow me to add more of what my tank need at each water change.

I test each salt and record their parameters. So if salt A is high in Mg and my tank needs more, I add a little more to my makeup water.

[jimsflies]

I tried some of that Get Tanked salt in April-May. I think that is when I started losing all my montis. Should have stuck with tropic marin.

[dejavu]

Do you mix them dry prior to adding water? mix three separately with water then add? What three do you use?

I mix them in the water. Form what I have read ing them "dry" can cause some chemical reactions. Is it true... not sure but mixing them in the water allows me to control what is being added.

[divecj5]

I've been reefing for a couple of years now and really had great experiences with a variety of salts. I started with Reef Crystals on my 55 and stuck with that for a year and a half. Switched to a bag of regular IO and didn't really notice much of a difference. Now granted, I was mainly keeping LPS and Z's and P's.

Once I started keeping SPS and other more demanding coral, I switched over to DD H2Ocean salt and had great results. I recently ran out of DD and decided to give Brightwell's NeoMarine a whirl. Honestly, I haven't noticed much of a difference in the amount I have to dose on a daily basis or any major changes in coloration, polyp extension, or overall health with my SPS. It does seem to mix up a lot faster but other than that, really wouldn't necessarily make the switch from either one to the other.

Not sure what I'll go with for the next bucket of salt....a 50g bag of salt usually lasts me quite a while with only a 20H tank so I have time before the next decision :)

[ReeferMike]

reefcrystals is the salt i prefer, but for the last month or so been using io because they were out of rc. used the coral pro before and liked it but it seemed to me like the rc mixed better.

[Hopkins]

I have been using reef crystals since the beginning. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[binford4000]

Use to be a RC person. Got tired of chaseing the alk swing from bucket to bucket. Switched to neo marine and plan to never go back ! Mixes up clean,leaves no white chalk residue in the garbage can,alk is always as advertised and so is the cal and mag. I does half what I use too with RC and never get the "why is my alk now 18 ????" Cost a little more(5.00 or so) but well worth it !. That's my .02. :jester:

[Bluwinghawk]

been using RC after IO only for convence @ pet store in the few 1st post with stats notice 12 dhk on rc mine tested at 8 will be running more test tonitehope more post in poll and thanks for info

[Jason c]

I only use. SALINITY made by Seachem. It is awesome, and mixes very nicely. The magnesium level in it is suoer high and I never have to dose it. My tank stays at 1500 mag just from water changes. I pay about 90 bucks for their big bucket of salt, ya that may seem like alot but it makes 225 gallons of water at 1.026 salinity versus the other brands that may be cheaper up front but will not produce that many gallons at 1.026 I get mine at Preuss Pets, not many other shops have it though. I highly recommend giving it a try.

[dknuckles]

ESV all the way! (Although not on list)

Used RC for years until numbers went all across the board from bucket to bucket. Not to mention the clay sludge residue left.
Colors and coral health had a noticeable improvement!

---------- Post added at 02:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:00 PM ----------

Oops
Just noticed thread from '09'

[reefwonders]

I started out with RC,but got tired of the swings too. I went to red sea and now I use red sea pro and love it.

[speedstar]

SALINITY very happy with how this mixes and measures up.

[MizTanks]

Budget reefer here all the way. Get RC delivered to my door for $52. 160g bucket :)