A General Guide to Salt Mixes
- Thread starter Billybeau1
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Billybeau1
Premium Member
I am still using up all of the different salts I purchased for the testing. Over the past 5 years I'd have to say I've used more Coralife than anything. I like the price.
Medicine Man
Premium Member
How much baking soda are you adding to a batch? I make 50 gallons at a time. Thanks 
Billybeau1
Premium Member
I do not add baking soda to my freshly mixed salt water for water changes.
I dissolve baking soda in fresh ro/di and add it to the tank when I replace evaporation. (usually a gallon every other day). This keeps my alk in line.
How much and how often for your tank depends on your tanks demand.
I dissolve baking soda in fresh ro/di and add it to the tank when I replace evaporation. (usually a gallon every other day). This keeps my alk in line.
How much and how often for your tank depends on your tanks demand.
Medicine Man
Premium Member
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda does not exist in the UK? How do they make Peanut Butter Cookies!? I would die!
Billybeau1
Premium Member
:lol:
Re: A General Guide to Salt Mixes
I am still confused which salt I should use after spending hours reading this thread.
Oceanic has the highest numbers for calcium and magesium, does it mean that Oceanic is the best choice for salt, and we do not have to use other suppliments for calcium and magesium as long as we make regular water change by using Oceanic salt?
James
I am still confused which salt I should use after spending hours reading this thread.
Oceanic has the highest numbers for calcium and magesium, does it mean that Oceanic is the best choice for salt, and we do not have to use other suppliments for calcium and magesium as long as we make regular water change by using Oceanic salt?
James
Billybeau1
Premium Member
James, everyones tanks are different with different consumption rates and different husbandry practices.
It is likely while using Oceanic you will probably only need to supplement alkalinity. That said, It may be too much calcium for many tanks and is why many reefers avoid it. If your tank does not consume the extra calcium, it just collects on the pumps and heaters making a mess.
You may try a middle of the road salt mix and see how your husbandry schedule falls into place if you are trying to avoid supplementing.
Just pick one and give it a try. Maybe Seachems Reef Salt, the D-D H2Ocean or Oceanpure. Even Coralife is a little more balanced than Oceanic. TM Pro Reef is a good middle of the road as well.
It is likely while using Oceanic you will probably only need to supplement alkalinity. That said, It may be too much calcium for many tanks and is why many reefers avoid it. If your tank does not consume the extra calcium, it just collects on the pumps and heaters making a mess.
You may try a middle of the road salt mix and see how your husbandry schedule falls into place if you are trying to avoid supplementing.
Just pick one and give it a try. Maybe Seachems Reef Salt, the D-D H2Ocean or Oceanpure. Even Coralife is a little more balanced than Oceanic. TM Pro Reef is a good middle of the road as well.
DheereCrossing
New member
Red Sea salts are evaporated sea water. The Coral Pro has added Ca, Alk, and Mg.
I think the Seachem salts also might be but I'm unsure about that.
I think the Seachem salts also might be but I'm unsure about that.
conorwynne
New member
I can confrm the IO, Reef Crystals & Red Sea salt figures. I changed from RC to RS because I was not happy with the high alk levels.
Plus red sea is dead cheap over here - half the price of reef crystals!:-0
Plus red sea is dead cheap over here - half the price of reef crystals!:-0
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Everyone has a different preference for alkalinity. Although IO and RC are initially a little on the high side for alk, it gets consumed rather quickly. Not a concern as far as I see it. Doing a water changer of 20% with a salt mix with 12 or 13 dkh will hardly have a 1 dkh effect on the tanks actual alkalinity level.
If you get Red Sea cheaper, that's the way to go. Nothing wrong with either of the Red Sea salts.
If you get Red Sea cheaper, that's the way to go. Nothing wrong with either of the Red Sea salts.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
James, I have not seen any inconsistent numbers from Oceanic. Unbalanced yes, inconsistent no.
As long as the extra calcium does not give you problems with your pumps and heaters, just keep an eye on the alkalinity and you should be ok.
As long as the extra calcium does not give you problems with your pumps and heaters, just keep an eye on the alkalinity and you should be ok.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
I mean it has way more calcium and magnesium than NSW and proportionately less alkalinity.
This is not a problem for tanks with high calcium demand and may not be for medium demand tanks.
You just have to keep an eye on your alkalinity level with this stuff as it tends to drive down. Like I said, not a big deal for most.
This is not a problem for tanks with high calcium demand and may not be for medium demand tanks.
You just have to keep an eye on your alkalinity level with this stuff as it tends to drive down. Like I said, not a big deal for most.
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