Salt for DIY saltwater

[stormin_Norman]

I have been mixing my own saltwater since I started my reef tank a year ago. When I started my tank (and every since), I have used Instant Ocean. I know that there are lots of other brands/types. What do you guys recommend as the best mix? Instant Ocean Sea Salt, Oceanic Sea Salt, Coralife Sea Salt, Reef Crystals (made by Instant Ocean people), other? Which consistently provides the best results?

 

[RoGeTa]

I have used Instant Ocean for about 4 years. I used Oceanics salt for a year and it worked just fine as well. After this bucket of IO runs out, I plan on giving Reef Crystals a shot.

 

[_Sooner_2]

SeaChem reef salt.

 

[papagimp]

I've used IO before, didn't care for it, kept the Alk and Ca levels were always far too low and using B-ionic to get it up to par was way to expensive, switched to Seachem, same thing, hated it. Went to Reef Crystals, have been lovin' it ever since. Keeps Alk around 9-10dKH and Ca around 420ppm with a salinity of 1.025. Or roughly thereabouts, i don't have the most accurate tests but these readings are close enough. Better than other brands I've used anyways.

 

[cweber]

Reef Crystals for the same reasons stated by papagimp.

 

[jprince58]

We used Oceanic for quite a while and fought low alk and EXTREME high Ca levels. We switched to IO and things have evened out nicely to give us consistent text-book levels.

 

[kcfehring]

I use Reef Crystals too. This is what Leigh Ann adviced me to use when we first started.

 

[JimmyS]

Reef Crystals here also. I used Oceanic for 2 years, but switched back to Reef Crystals. The alk levels are much better.

 

[Okiemike]

Currently using IO, fighting low alk levels. will be swithing to Reef Crystals as so a this bucket is gone.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

I prefer to mix Oceanic with Instant Ocean: Reef Crystals (or regular Instant Ocean depending on what is available). I like the stability of Instant Ocean brand, and I like the increased Calcium of Oceanic. When I don't have the ability to mix both, I opt to stick with just Instant Ocean: Reef Crystals and buff when necessary. Usually I need to add Calcium if anything at all.

 

[sadsak]

TROPIC MARINE

All the way for me ! I have used other salts and after my first water change with TM I could see a difference in the polyp extension I 'm Willing to spend a little more on the best . Reef crystals will say on there box with more elements, but TM will list everything u get !!!!!!!!

 

[jjmcat]

My favorite salt is bio sea as of late.Its what ive been using for over a month now.Reef crystals is number 2 on my list for the price.