Salt choice all out

[Skyhiggh]

So I'm all out of salt and need to order some for next water change. For years I used Red Sea coral pro then times got a little tuff so to speak and went over too instant ocean reef crystals. I felt better using the Red Sea but as I have more frags than colonies levels always stayed to high for the frags or tank to consume much starting out. Instant ocean is a little better with cal at 475 kh at 12 and mag at 1440 but still a little to high stable but high. I was looking at the older charts but can't seem to find a new one wanted to know since tropic seems to best the best for what I'm looking for with alk at 8.5 mag 1380 cal 450 witch is a lot closer out of the box to the numbers I'm shooting for.

I'm using all Red Sea products for dosing and testing based on there mixed reef/sps charts.

Should I buy the tropic marine pro at 60 bucks for 32 gallons? My tank is 30 gallons 5 gallons a week changed out.


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[Timfish]

I've been using the regular IO forever. I've tried a few other brands over the years and haven't noticed any difference. I suspect now most salt mixes are probably made by just a few chinese companies so there may not be much difference.

 

[theMaroonClown]

Try the blue bucket of Red Sea you might end up liking the parameters on it. I was just given a seminar at my job( i work at a LFS) and the Blue bucket is honestly close to your parameters. With that saying it is an evaporated salt unlike tropic marin which is artificial and made in a lab. I have had great success with Red Sea in the past and would always recommend it. I currently use tropic marin and I have to say for an SPS dominant nano tank its the best choice I've ever done. Going to be using it in my 75 gallon once it cycles completely. Instant Ocean Purple Box is also great, the salt is more consistent then Reef Crystals. I would honestly avoid Avoid AquaForest as its a hit or miss with that salt, either you have a good batch that your corals look amazing or you have a bad batch where you lose partially everything. (personal experience and store experience[to bad the store owner turned a blind eye when I would tell him until he finally lost a whole system]) Fritz is another brand you might want to look into, don't know if they have fixed their Magnesium issue but we are currently using that at my job and the corals are coming back from the damage AF had done.

 

[bertoni]

A lot of Tanks of the Month have run on IO.

 

[hkgar]

Like Maroonclown I use Red Sea in the blue bucket and am very pleased with it.

 

[josephxsxn]

I am using Neomarine which mixes up a bit lower then your looking for @ alk ~7.5, mag 1290, Cal 413. Based on the numbers your looking for LiveAquaria salt may be right up your alley @ alk 8-9.5, mag 1,350-1,450, Cal 400-450.

 

[Skyhiggh]

I've been using the regular IO forever. I've tried a few other brands over the years and haven't noticed any difference. I suspect now most salt mixes are probably made by just a few chinese companies so there may not be much difference.

Try the blue bucket of Red Sea you might end up liking the parameters on it. I was just given a seminar at my job( i work at a LFS) and the Blue bucket is honestly close to your parameters. With that saying it is an evaporated salt unlike tropic marin which is artificial and made in a lab. I have had great success with Red Sea in the past and would always recommend it. I currently use tropic marin and I have to say for an SPS dominant nano tank its the best choice I've ever done. Going to be using it in my 75 gallon once it cycles completely. Instant Ocean Purple Box is also great, the salt is more consistent then Reef Crystals. I would honestly avoid Avoid AquaForest as its a hit or miss with that salt, either you have a good batch that your corals look amazing or you have a bad batch where you lose partially everything. (personal experience and store experience[to bad the store owner turned a blind eye when I would tell him until he finally lost a whole system]) Fritz is another brand you might want to look into, don't know if they have fixed their Magnesium issue but we are currently using that at my job and the corals are coming back from the damage AF had done.

Like Maroonclown I use Red Sea in the blue bucket and am very pleased with it.

Thanks for the response I used the Red Sea I guess purple bucket for years. Think I'm going to go ahead and try it out hanks for the input. Appreciate it. eBay I go


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[hkgar]

Thanks for the response I used the Red Sea I guess purple bucket for years. Think I'm going to go ahead and try it out hanks for the input. Appreciate it. eBay I go


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Check the drs. (foster)

 

[Lou Ekus]

Should I buy the tropic marine pro at 60 bucks for 32 gallons? My tank is 30 gallons 5 gallons a week changed out.


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I'm not sure where you are looking for pricing on Tropic Marin Pro Reef, but a 32 gallon mix should cost between $20-25. Definitely NOT $60. Try looking into your LFS. You can also easily fine it online for that price.

 

[biecacka]

I use IO and run a calcium reactor on my tank. AWC system takes 2 gallons a day so it keeps the numbers pretty stable. As Bertoni said above, IO is widely used and I think if you dose much of anything into the tank (think 2 part or CaRx) are the beginning numbers that important?

corey

 

[Uncle99]

I use IO and run a calcium reactor on my tank. AWC system takes 2 gallons a day so it keeps the numbers pretty stable. As Bertoni said above, IO is widely used and I think if you dose much of anything into the tank (think 2 part or CaRx) are the beginning numbers that important?

corey

I'm thinking, yes, there might be a diffence maybe to those who are newer in the hobby and are not yet familiar with dosing and the consumption rate of their tanks. Whereas you can make big dosing mistakes, as long as you get the SG right on mixing, ranges will be relative. This is why I changed to RED SEA PRO which mixes high in the ranges, with regular water changes I no longer need to dose. That being said, while 2 part cost is down, salt cost is up.

 

[Steve175]

Consistency is key IMHO. Pick one and stick with it.

 

[Alfrareef]

The salt I've enjoyed more was Salinity, but the cost was to high.
I've tried several different brands/types and for the past 4 months I've been using Tropic Marin Bio-actif and I'm very pleased with it.
For me the important parameters for choosing a Salt are: parameter consistency over different batchs, coral health, easy mixing, no residues at the salt mixing bucket and price.