Can't Decide Which Salt to Use

[scelona]

Hey guys,
So I was recently given a brand new bucket of red sea coral pro salt and after reading the parameters on the side I decided there was no way I wanted parameters that high. I had been using Tropic Marin and HW-Marinemix Reefer Salt prior to that but was looking for one salt to dial in on.

So what are the seasoned vets using to achieve standard salt water parameters (1300 Mg, 8-8.5 dkh, 420 Ca)? I found this chart http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1714505 and was shocked to see the high alk for both IO salts and the low calcium of tropic marin (which I too had noticed). The Tropic Marin Pro Reef salt is the one that is looking best to me based on this chart.

 

[heathlindner25]

I use IO, my alk stays around 8.5.

 

[GimpyFin]

I've found the published charts to be a little off for some of the salts. I've been using kent for about 2-3 years and alk is right about 8.5 at 1.025. Cal around 550 and mag close to 1400.

 

[PsychoticBeauty]

I would just pick one and stick with. As soon as you start dosing they all become one in the same IMO.

 

[mcgyvr]

IO reef crystals here.. Love it.. cheap and works great..

 

[scelona]

Thanks for all the responses guys, I think Im going to try one of the Instant Ocean salts as they seem to be very highly liked for the price. This was my original plan but I found that chart that said the alk tested to 11 which was my whole issue with the Red Sea salt I received.

 

[that Fish Guy]

Hey guys,
So I was recently given a brand new bucket of red sea coral pro salt and after reading the parameters on the side I decided there was no way I wanted parameters that high. I had been using Tropic Marin and HW-Marinemix Reefer Salt prior to that but was looking for one salt to dial in on.

So what are the seasoned vets using to achieve standard salt water parameters (1300 Mg, 8-8.5 dkh, 420 Ca)? I found this chart http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1714505 and was shocked to see the high alk for both IO salts and the low calcium of tropic marin (which I too had noticed). The Tropic Marin Pro Reef salt is the one that is looking best to me based on this chart.

I switched from Reef Crystals (Ridiculously High Alkalinity of around 14!) to Tropic Marin Pro which is around 8.5 Alkalinity.

American Made Salts are known for having High Levels of Lithium and other Stuff you do not want.

Tropic Marin Pro Mixes Up Super Clear too.

Best Salt out there and what most people in Europe Use.

I wouldn't use anything else.

 

[that Fish Guy]

Thanks for all the responses guys, I think Im going to try one of the Instant Ocean salts as they seem to be very highly liked for the price. This was my original plan but I found that chart that said the alk tested to 11 which was my whole issue with the Red Sea salt I received.

If you keep your Alkalinity ate 8 to 8.5 why wouldn't you use a salt that was the same Alkalinity?

Stability if Key with Successful Reefing.

 

[scelona]

If you keep your Alkalinity ate 8 to 8.5 why wouldn't you use a salt that was the same Alkalinity?

Stability if Key with Successful Reefing.

That is what I would like to do and it seems like Instant Ocean mixes close to this despite what that chart says.

 

[scooter31707]

I use Salinity. Never had any issues.

 

[Potatohead]

You want a salt around NSW parameters it sounds like, so any of the loaded up reef salts are probably not a good option. One exception is Aquaforest which is around NSW parameters even in the reef salt.

 

[scelona]

You want a salt around NSW parameters it sounds like, so any of the loaded up reef salts are probably not a good option. One exception is Aquaforest which is around NSW parameters even in the reef salt.

Okay maybe I will check that out, it is crazy how hard it is to find salt that represents the water that these organisms naturally live in. Seems a little counter intuitive to me.

 

[mcgyvr]

The most important part is stability..
Really any alk in the 7-11 range is just fine..
So just pick a salt and stick with it to ensure stability..

 

[Potatohead]

The most important part is stability..
Really any alk in the 7-11 range is just fine..
So just pick a salt and stick with it to ensure stability..

Depends on what you're keeping. If you are carbon dosing and keeping SPS, alk between 7 and 8.5 is preferred.

 

[that Fish Guy]

That is what I would like to do and it seems like Instant Ocean mixes close to this despite what that chart says.

I used Instant Ocean and Reef Crystals for 5 Years.

Alkalinity was always 12-15

 

[that Fish Guy]

Tropic Marin Pro is said to have the Closest Parameters to Natural Sea Water.

 

[KMS.Kyle]

I use Red Sea Max Coral Pro salt and it's pretty darn amazing but a few things to point out.

-The measurements on the side are measured out to a salinity of 1.026 mixed I believe (I forget, may be a bit lower?)

I've been using it from day one with my 55 Gallon tank now my Red Sea max 250 and being on top of water changes and husbandry its barely at those measurements all the time.

 

[WaReefer458]

Red Sea coral pro is great. I use it. Alk hovers around 8.5-9. Sure makes it convinient not having to dose to keep my alk and cal up

 

[BillHicks]

I have used Salinity, Kent Marine, and I started my current mixed reef 2 months ago with Instant Ocean Reef Crystals just because the stores didn't have the other 2 in stock at the time. I will go back to Kent Marine once this salt is gone.

 

[Sk8r]

IO is my choice. I was on Oceanic, but the mg was getting way high.