rhkingsfan
New member
I'm a long time user of I/O (and occasionally Reef Crystals). It's basically the only salt I've ever used since I started reefing 15 years ago.
Six months ago I tried my hand at some intermediate level SPS and it was tough keeping parameters like Alk steady when using I/O. Imagine trying to keep Alk close to 8.5 in a Fusion 25 (while doing 5 gallon water changes weekly) when I/O that was coming in close to 11 dkh. It actually wasn't the Alk that bothered me as much as the fact it would take over 24 hours to mix clear. I would make salt in the morning on a Saturday, let it run for 12 hours and it would still be cloudy!
I finally get to looking at parameters for a new salt and wanted to choose one that mixed clear in a reasonable period of time. After spending a day on this site and youtube I narrowed it down to ESV Bionic, Fritz, Brightwell neomarine and Tropic Marin Pro.
I so wanted to go with ESV after using their 2 part for years, but the fact you had to mix ingredients separately knocked it off the list. Fritz seemed like a good choice; it's almost as cheap as I/O, parameters were close to what I wanted (9 dkh 450 calcium) and always available. I looked at Brightwell and I liked the fact it was synthetic, but the 10 dkh turned me off as I would rather be able to raise dkh through supplementing rather than lower with vinegar or something. So it came down to Fritz and Tropic Marin Pro. Based on what I was reading, hardcore SPS people usually were in two camps: (1) salt doesn't matter so I use I/O or (2) I want the best and most expensive so I go with TMP. I ended up going with TMP because even though it's pricey (four times the cost of I/O!), I'm basically doing 4 gallon water changes a week so it doesn't really add up to much anyway. The fact that it's synthetic, has a huge following, meets my parameter needs and that I've had a good experience with dosing TM All for Reef for the last 3 months, pushed me over the finish line. It's tough finding it online right now but Aquacave and Premium Aquatics have it in stock.
So I finally did my first water change with Tropic Marin Pro 15 minutes ago. My bucket of TMP had Dkh of 7.9 (salifert) and the salt mixed clear in 5 minutes! Tank is running completely clear (which is a first after a water change). I don't see PE like some people have said after a water change but I couldn't be happier. I'll post an update if my SPS go downhill over the next few days!
Six months ago I tried my hand at some intermediate level SPS and it was tough keeping parameters like Alk steady when using I/O. Imagine trying to keep Alk close to 8.5 in a Fusion 25 (while doing 5 gallon water changes weekly) when I/O that was coming in close to 11 dkh. It actually wasn't the Alk that bothered me as much as the fact it would take over 24 hours to mix clear. I would make salt in the morning on a Saturday, let it run for 12 hours and it would still be cloudy!
I finally get to looking at parameters for a new salt and wanted to choose one that mixed clear in a reasonable period of time. After spending a day on this site and youtube I narrowed it down to ESV Bionic, Fritz, Brightwell neomarine and Tropic Marin Pro.
I so wanted to go with ESV after using their 2 part for years, but the fact you had to mix ingredients separately knocked it off the list. Fritz seemed like a good choice; it's almost as cheap as I/O, parameters were close to what I wanted (9 dkh 450 calcium) and always available. I looked at Brightwell and I liked the fact it was synthetic, but the 10 dkh turned me off as I would rather be able to raise dkh through supplementing rather than lower with vinegar or something. So it came down to Fritz and Tropic Marin Pro. Based on what I was reading, hardcore SPS people usually were in two camps: (1) salt doesn't matter so I use I/O or (2) I want the best and most expensive so I go with TMP. I ended up going with TMP because even though it's pricey (four times the cost of I/O!), I'm basically doing 4 gallon water changes a week so it doesn't really add up to much anyway. The fact that it's synthetic, has a huge following, meets my parameter needs and that I've had a good experience with dosing TM All for Reef for the last 3 months, pushed me over the finish line. It's tough finding it online right now but Aquacave and Premium Aquatics have it in stock.
So I finally did my first water change with Tropic Marin Pro 15 minutes ago. My bucket of TMP had Dkh of 7.9 (salifert) and the salt mixed clear in 5 minutes! Tank is running completely clear (which is a first after a water change). I don't see PE like some people have said after a water change but I couldn't be happier. I'll post an update if my SPS go downhill over the next few days!
