Another stupid salt mix question

[schigara]

Before adding to any tank, what salt mix has the better and more balanced mix of buffers?

I started using Instant Ocean and the calcium and alk were quite low for using in a reef and then switched to Oceanic and noticed the calcium level was much higher and usually mixed at 450-470 but alk was a tad low.

I just got a bucket of Reef Crystals and mixed up a batch and the Calcium read 390 and dkh was 7.4 which seems fairly balanced.

I think these 3 are the most popular brands used today but are there others that don't get the exposure and respect they deserve and have there been any modern(past 1-2 years) head to head comparisons of all the salts?

As far as supplemental buffering, Oceanic was the cheapest I have found yet by just adding a bit of alk every few days.

 

[MarkGP]

I use and have always used IO. I add calcium and mag for every water change.

 

[DrBDC]

That seems a little low for reef crystals. You may want to check your salinity as it may be low.

 

[lilchris]

Alot of people now do a 50/50 mix of IO and Oceanic. It gives you the closest balance of them all.

 

[cd77]

Re: Another stupid salt mix question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11017937#post11017937 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by schigara
I think these 3 are the most popular brands used today but are there others that don't get the exposure and respect they deserve and have there been any modern(past 1-2 years) head to head comparisons of all the salts?

Tropic Marin is also popular and has been around a while.

This doesn't cover all of them, but is interesting none the less:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/11/aafeature1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1

And a thread worth reading:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1216536&goto=newpost