Different salt mixes for different aquarium routines and loads

[Chrissypoo]

In reading this---> http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1756032&page=8

I got to thinking that instead of debating what "the best" salt mix is, wouldn't it be more beneficial to debate what "the best" salt mix is for each of the general tank types and tank personalities(i.e. water change schedules, dosing system, etc). Initially, the categories to be emphasized are Water Changes, Bio-loads, and Corals, with a consideration of dosing and filtration.

Water Changes

Daily to 4+ per week
Every other day
Weekly
Bi-weekly
Monthly
Every two to three months
Twice a year
Yearly
Never

The water change category is the most important for this discussion.

*As a reminder, this is not a discussion about which water change method is better or worse, its about the best salt for the different methods.

*Cost should not be considered. I understand it is important [Masters of Accountancy student here, so, Im what some would consider poor ].


The following are categories that warrant additional consideration:

Bio-load (fish):

None (zero fish)
Light (approx 0.1-0.2 total fish inches per tank gallon)
Medium (approx. 0.3-0.7 total fish inches per tank gallon)
Heavy (approx. 0.8-1.2 total fish inches per tank gallon)
Really heavy (approx 1.3+ total fish inches per tank gallon)

Bio-load (coral and inverts)

None
Light
Medium
Heavy
Really heavy

Corals

Mixed Reef
Non-photosynthetic
Softies
LPS
SPS
Cold water
None (zero)

Dosing

Sporadic (whenever you feel like it, no schedule)
Daily to 4+ per week
Every other day
Weekly
Bi-weekly
Monthly
Every two to three months
Twice a year
Yearly
Never (zero)

Filtration to be considered

Skimmer (undersized)
Skimmer (adequately sized)
Skimmer (oversized)
Canister filter
HOB filters
Refugium
No refugium
Fluidized sand bed
De-nitrator
Bio-pellets
Phosphate removers
Carbon (Activated)
Carbon dosing (vodka, vinegar, balling method, etc.)

*Filtration should be discussed in terms of the best salt for this specific method. (i.e. best salt for carbon dosing systems), not "this salt would be the best if..."





Let's try to stick to conversations considering water change schedule (or lack thereof), corals, and bio-loads as to not convolute the discussion too much

Also, if I missed something of importance (a category, something to be included in a category, etc.), lmk! We want to get this as correct as it can be.

So please record your experiences and thoughts. Especially you "seasoned" reefers **cough cough Randy Holmes-Farley cough cough

 

[Jeff000]

It all comes down to one salt being better than the other still.
If you are dosing you are still missing massive trace elements. If you have a reactor you are probably getting a bit more rounded additions to the water. But it still comes down to the salt quality, be it consistency if nothing else.

We have all seen someone going from a cheap salt to an expensive salt and noticing things looking nicer, and we have seen people going from an expensive salt to a cheap one and noticing a decline.
Cost is not always a factor of quality here either, but it is a pretty close relation.

You are asking for science answers, and you will still only get opinion. So much of this hobby is still opinion.