A General Guide to Salt Mixes

[Billybeau1]

I don't remember off hand who manufactured those salts. Or who does today. But I have not seen any recent complaints about either salt, so I'd say, if it is locally available to you and in the right price range, I would not hesitate to use it.

The key is, IMO, how your tank reacts to the salt mix you are using and your husbandry practices.

 

[Huhhhhh]

Re: Kent Salt questions

Re: Kent Salt questions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15400540#post15400540 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Huhhhhh
I remember Oceanic doing it in the past

Sorry I meant to say Instant Ocean not Oceanic.

 

[mikekr]

I've been using Kent for many months now. I'm about finished with one of the large buckets. The tank's been very stable. High calcium over 500, Alk's been about 7.5 and magnesium is holding steady at about 1300. I do a 5 gal water change most weeks. I've been dosing with a two part formula in addition to limewater in my topoff.

 

[Billybeau1]

Kent is a fine salt from what I've seen. Not many complaints from the sources.

 

[kc350twin]

Billy

Is any testing going to be done on the newer salts on the market?

Seachem's Salinity and Brightwells's to be exact.

 

[cccapt]

I've been using Red Sea Coral Pro since it came out. I just picked up a new bucket and it says "new improved formula" and gives #'s for ca, alk and mg. (I'm in work and don't remember what the #'s say, but I think 450 ca, 2.8 - 3.2 meq/l alk and 1320 mg) Has anyone tested the new formula yet?

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15480481#post15480481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kc350twin
Billy

Is any testing going to be done on the newer salts on the market?

Seachem's Salinity and Brightwells's to be exact.

kc, In these tough economic times, I'm finding myself a little short on cash and working more hours to compensate for the high cost of consumables. I'm sure many of us are in the same boat.

I'm thinking I may make another go at this in the winter months if things keep improving as they are. I too, am excited about testing the newer salts on the market as well as the ones tested previously to see if they have made any changes.

 

[Sooners]

Why would anyone keeping a reef bother with Instant Ocean with such low calcium out of the box?

 

[kc350twin]

Billy, I feel your pain in so many ways. Thanks for all the tests you do.
Maybe we should start a paypal account for donations. You have definitely saved me some money.

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15486614#post15486614 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sooners
Why would anyone keeping a reef bother with Instant Ocean with such low calcium out of the box?

The simple answer is that IO has been the most consistent salt on the market for many years. Those that use it for a reef simply boost the calcium and magnesium with inexpensive diy supplements. At least they know what they are getting.

You will find it hard for anyone to disagree with that statement.

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15486764#post15486764 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kc350twin
Billy, I feel your pain in so many ways. Thanks for all the tests you do.
Maybe we should start a paypal account for donations. You have definitely saved me some money.

no need kc. I enjoy doing it and I think come winter, I may be able to dive back into this.

Believe it or not, I am on my second to the last bag of salt left over from the test. I have one bag and one bucket left so I'll will be needing salt pretty soon anyways.

But thanks for the thought.

 

[Sooners]

What to most use to boost the calcium of IO? Calcium chloride?

 

[Sooners]

Is Reef Crystals the next best thing for consistency, after IO? What seems to be the most favored brand with elevated calcium, etc., after IO? I'm looking at getting away from IO for a change when I start up a new tank (never tried anything but IO). What about Seachem Reef Salt? Good?

 

[NanoCube-boy]

If you look a little further more posts earlier, you will see a link that tells you about calcium, salinity, dkh, megnesium, and etc... This will help you answer your question about Seachem Reef Salt.

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15488050#post15488050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sooners
Is Reef Crystals the next best thing for consistency, after IO? What seems to be the most favored brand with elevated calcium, etc., after IO? I'm looking at getting away from IO for a change when I start up a new tank (never tried anything but IO). What about Seachem Reef Salt? Good?

I will just say that currently Reef Crystals is the best selling salt on the market. I think that speaks for itself.

 

[rigleautomotive]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15482744#post15482744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cccapt
I've been using Red Sea Coral Pro since it came out. I just picked up a new bucket and it says "new improved formula" and gives #'s for ca, alk and mg. (I'm in work and don't remember what the #'s say, but I think 450 ca, 2.8 - 3.2 meq/l alk and 1320 mg) Has anyone tested the new formula yet?

I have Larry, and what i have been getting is 430 calcium,9.9DKH Alk,and 1300 Mg,mixed to a sg of 1.026

 

[cccapt]

Thanks Dan. I haven't opened the bucket yet, but those #'s look pretty good....in fact real good

 

[Sooners]

Does Reef Crystals reliably mix with Calcium over 400?

Any big knocks against Seachem Reef Salt (I note the boron threads, which seems to no longer be an issue).

Considering ordering one of the two above.

 

[HighlandReefer]

Billy has tested the New Reef Crystal Salt Mix and found the following parameters when mixed to a salinity of 1.0264:

New Reef Crystals parameters:
490 ppm calcium
13 dkh
1440 ppm magnesium

I can't comment of either salt mix since I have not used them.

 

[Sooners]

I saw those numbers. I wonder if those are fairly consistent, or if you end up having Ca of 360 in random batches.