Looking for a new Salt mix.

[degibson84]

After getting 3 bags out of my 200 gallon box of Instant Ocean that were bad. I have decided to change to a different brand.

I just can't seem to decide which brand would be the best to use so I wont constantly be dosing. I have a 220g mixed reef mostly LPS and softies. I do have a Hyndophora colony as well.

Which one would be the best?

 

[MKReefTank]

What made them bad? Didn't mix or parameters were out of alignment??

I use and really like IO Reef Crystals.

 

[degibson84]

When I opened them they were very powdery and had a funky smell to them. Reef Crystals seem to have a very high alk

 

[frbrd84]

Have been using IO for 10 years or so switched to Kent and have had better results with my corals growth

 

[auburnreefer110]

I switched to the new Salinity from Aquavitro, and could not be more happier. Mixes almost instantly. Keeps my calcium at about 480, alk 8, and mag 1440. I never dose

 

[montiporalova]

When I opened them they were very powdery and had a funky smell to them. Reef Crystals seem to have a very high alk

I had that problem last week, I mixed 32 gallons and alk was at freaking 12, so that got me to change out to Bio active TM. Alk comes In at 7-8. It's better if it's low rather than high.

 

[degibson84]

I switched to the new Salinity from Aquavitro, and could not be more happier. Mixes almost instantly. Keeps my calcium at about 480, alk 8, and mag 1440. I never dose

I have heard about precipitation with this salt and very low mag

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Tropic Marin Pro Reef...I never dose. I have mostly softies and LPS...some SPS

 

[auburnreefer110]

Nope never had any problems with mine

 

[degibson84]

Nope never had any problems with mine

I don't see this salt available at any retailers online

 

[auburnreefer110]

Yeah you won't it is very expensive 100.00 a bucket

 

[degibson84]

Yeah you won't it is very expensive 100.00 a bucket

I found ti at one retailer for $75 for a 225g bucket

 

[Dapg8gt]

If you store fresh mixed sw stay away from salinity. It is supposed to be used within 4 hours of mixing. I used it for about 7 months and hated that part. The alk will drop out from 8-9 to like 4-5 over t he course of a few days. Look it up if you need some verification.

 

[auburnreefer110]

Wow never had that problem either. I get my 20 gallon bucket going and let it go for 4 days. So I don't know anything about that.

 

[degibson84]

If you store fresh mixed sw stay away from salinity. It is supposed to be used within 4 hours of mixing. I used it for about 7 months and hated that part. The alk will drop out from 8-9 to like 4-5 over t he course of a few days. Look it up if you need some verification.

this is what I'm hearing with all the reviews.

I usually mix my salt and add it in within an hour

 

[Dapg8gt]

Wow never had that problem either. I get my 20 gallon bucket going and let it go for 4 days. So I don't know anything about that.

You should take before and after alk/cal readings. It's not good the longer it sits

 

[auburnreefer110]

Just looked on other forums like The Reef Tank, Reef Sanctuary, Reefers Paradise where it was almost all nothing but praise. The trick to it is let the water you are going to make heat up for 24 hours, then add the salt. I haven't dosed my tank in 2 months since using this stuff. There will always be negatives to any product. Just did a basic search on here and really didn't that much of a negative.

 

[auburnreefer110]

Always remember to each his own. I love it, my tank and parameters have never been better. I pretty much never dose, and my p.h. everyday is just at 8.35.

 

[albano]

If ESV salt is available in your area, I would recommend you trying it! Very happy with it for past 2+ yrs

 

[degibson84]

If ESV salt is available in your area, I would recommend you trying it! Very happy with it for past 2+ yrs

What are you calcium, magnesium and alk levels on a fresh batch?