Best Salt?

[Billybatz9]

Okay guys. I need salt recommendations. Thanks

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

You'll probably get numerous different recommendations...Kent, Instant Ocean, Reef Crystals, etc will all get the job done. I would go with what is available near you and is cost effective.

 

[swk]

It all depends on how you want to run your tank, particularly your alk level

 

[NJAB]

Its all on preference I've used Instant ocean (which I add additional supplements to since its not for reefs), reef crystals, Kent, Red Sea Coral Pro and Coral life marine salt (the only one i actually didn't like). I also always order online as well because for some reason here in El Paso, TX they feel they can get away with charging $40 for a 55 gallon container of Kent and even more for the Red Sea so I buy online and get either the Kent now for about $22 and the Red Sea when its on sale for $27. Or run to the local petsmart and get a temporary instant ocean or reef crystal 10 gallon mix

 

[Rob6311]

I personally find that instant ocean reef crystals are the best because it's really consistent. And its good for beginners from my experience because it really gives you all good levels

 

[Rob6311]

But that's only from my experience and my recommendation

 

[Mark426]

If your just starting out:
Coral Tank: Reef Crystals
Fish Only Instant Ocean

As you gain experience then some of the other designer salts might be a better fit.
I use hw-Marine Mix Reefer.

 

[christopherjudd]

I use red sea coral pro, never had any issue with it. It actually cheaper for me to buy rscp salt locally than buy it online!

 

[dotkat77]

i use what ever is on sale ;-)

 

[scott71]

Have used tropic Marin and reef crystals.

 

[rustyjames]

There are lots of good salts. Find one you like. For me, it's always been regular Instant Ocean. Consistent and perfectly fine for a reef tank. I just jack the mag with each water change and supplement accordingly.

 

[whosurcaddie]

Al commercial salts for reef tanks have lower levels of trace elements than advertised just get a quality brand and you will be fine.

 

[A sea K]

I have used Tropic Marin Pro, Reef Crystals, and Instant Ocean. I personally feel tropic marin gave my best results but used IO (strictly monetary reasons) and adjusted cal,alk and mag levels to suit my needs.
Now that I have downsized and salt cost is not much of a concern it will be back to Tropic Marin. I have heard some good things about the Red Sea Coral Pro and just might give a try.

 

[swk]

I use the regular Red Sea salt in the blue bucket. Very well balanced salt that mixes very close to nsw levels. Perfect for my carbon dosed tank

 

[Ariel110G]

Royal Nature

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

Told you that you would end up with several different opinions lol...

I bought a bucket of instant ocean, not knowing about Reef Crystals when I was first starting...My tank is going to be a reef tank, so what kind of supplements should I use for it?

 

[E46Twist]

Nothing that you can't test for

 

[msderganc]

I'd caution looking at salts that are marked "reef" and assuming they are better for reef tanks. Most have very high Alk/Calc/Magnesium levels, and a lot of the lower nutrient tanks (e.g. SPS) maintain lower levels near NSW. That's usually around 7.5 dkH, ~400 ppm calcium, and 1300 ppm magnesium. I'd recommend a salt near those levels.

I can tell you that I've used RSCP for years, and recently switched to IO. I love how the 200gal boxes of IO come in 50gal individual bags. The RSCP is a giant bag which is hard to mix up properly, so I've always gotten some pretty significant variation in values from one waterchange to the next.

IO also doesn't have any organics in it, which reduces the variation when issues arise.

 

[ktownhero]

I'd caution looking at salts that are marked "reef" and assuming they are better for reef tanks. Most have very high Alk/Calc/Magnesium levels, and a lot of the lower nutrient tanks (e.g. SPS) maintain lower levels near NSW. That's usually around 7.5 dkH, ~400 ppm calcium, and 1300 ppm magnesium. I'd recommend a salt near those levels.

I can tell you that I've used RSCP for years, and recently switched to IO. I love how the 200gal boxes of IO come in 50gal individual bags. The RSCP is a giant bag which is hard to mix up properly, so I've always gotten some pretty significant variation in values from one waterchange to the next.

IO also doesn't have any organics in it, which reduces the variation when issues arise.

Honestly, it seems like a large majority of the most successful tanks I've seen online often just use the old tried-and-true IO.