Salt mix poll

[DrBegalke]

Which salt mix do you use?

 

[USC-fan]

Reef Crystals

I used Oceanic, IO and even the io/oceanic mix.

 

[oct2274]

i'm not sure what the point of this is, but it is obvious that the most people are going to use IO cause it has be around forever and can be found at pretty much every petshop that has anything to do with saltwater aquariums. Anyways, I voted Red Sea Coral Pro cause that is what I'm trying now and believe it to be one of the newer salts that has the most promise. I read somewhere in one of the newer tests that is being done, that for some reason IO salt seemed to have issues with Cyanobacteria in controlled tests. It also has low levels of very important reef related items such as calcium and magnesium. Which isn't a big deal for a fish only tanks. I don't like to add things to my salt to make them usable for a reef aquarium. I just want to make sure new reefers are aware that just because IO is getting a high vote definitely does not mean it is the best reef salt, because it is far from it. It really isn't usable for reef at all unless you bring the levels up with other products or mix it with other salts that have high values in areas where IO is lacking

 

[DrBegalke]

I used to use Catalina, now I generally use io/oceanic mix, unless either Ca or alk is out of whack, then I use them individually.

 

[DrBegalke]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10876084#post10876084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oct2274
i'm not sure what the point of this is, but it is obvious that the most people are going to use IO cause it has be around forever and can be found at pretty much every petshop that has anything to do with saltwater aquariums. Anyways, I voted Red Sea Coral Pro cause that is what I'm trying now and believe it to be one of the newer salts that has the most promise. I read somewhere in one of the newer tests that is being done, that for some reason IO salt seemed to have issues with Cyanobacteria in controlled tests. It also has low levels of very important reef related items such as calcium and magnesium. Which isn't a big deal for a fish only tanks. I don't like to add things to my salt to make them usable for a reef aquarium. I just want to make sure new reefers are aware that just because IO is getting a high vote definitely does not mean it is the best reef salt, because it is far from it. It really isn't usable for reef at all unless you bring the levels up with other products or mix it with other salts that have high values in areas where IO is lacking

This is the point: lab analysis of salt mixes

 

[oct2274]

Ok, but why would we test a salt that isn't made for reefs.......lets not waste money or resources on salts that aren't made for reef use. Lets just focus on reef related salts. Reef Crystals would be the updated version of IO. The poll will also be more biased towards salts that are easier to find locally and that are older like IO.

 

[oct2274]

here is another one that I don't think I've seen any info on, I think it might be new.

http://www.aqua-medic.com/reef_salt.shtml

 

[easye123]

I vote for the Res Sea coral pro...im sure others are fine though..

i dont do anything but 15g WC's weekly on my 110g totall system and everything is very healthy

 

[oct2274]

you might still have time to edit the name of the post or have a moderator do it so it doesn't lead people to believe the salts that get the highest votes are the best. I would just name the post "Which reef salts would you like to see tested" or something along those lines.

 

[Rue]

I use the regular Ocean Pure...not the Pro...lol...it wasn't in that huge long list!

 

[DrBegalke]

oct2274: I am confused, which shouldn't be tested?

I have no idea how "Which salt mix do you use?" would imply that highest votes are best?

 

[USC-fan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10876282#post10876282 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oct2274
Ok, but why would we test a salt that isn't made for reefs.......lets not waste money or resources on salts that aren't made for reef use. Lets just focus on reef related salts. Reef Crystals would be the updated version of IO. The poll will also be more biased towards salts that are easier to find locally and that are older like IO.

What the point in not testing the salt most people use?

 

[DrBegalke]

USC- I didn't understand that either. Anyways, the poll is just an informal idea of how many people are using each of the salts...

 

[oct2274]

True, it will definitely show new reefers that don't know better that IO is not a good choice unless they like supplementing or mixing with another salt. My main purpose of coming in here is because a poll like this will mislead new reefers. If i was new and wondering which salt to use I would choose IO or Reef Crystals because that is what the most people use, not knowing any better.

 

[SCOTT42]

Im useing Tropic marin proreef,Its a little moore exspensive than some of the others. So cost of a premium salt over investment of tank is really worth while. ( I think so)

 

[dodgersfan25]

wow, i didnt know there were even that many salt mixes haha

i just use the cheap instant ocean from drsfostersmith and works great

 

[DrBegalke]

I really don't think the actual usage is this spread out...

 

[USC-fan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10876609#post10876609 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oct2274
True, it will definitely show new reefers that don't know better that IO is not a good choice unless they like supplementing or mixing with another salt. My main purpose of coming in here is because a poll like this will mislead new reefers. If i was new and wondering which salt to use I would choose IO or Reef Crystals because that is what the most people use, not knowing any better.

What is wrong with reef crystals???

 

[oct2274]

I'm not saying anything is wrong with Reef Crystals lol, I'm just saying it may not be the best around. People tend to buy it cause it is cheap, works, and is easy to find.

 

[cd77]

I'll take the blame for this poll as it was my suggestion -- We're only trying to get a simple sample here of the popularity of various salt mixes on the market in an attempt to try to narrow down which brands to use in the lab analysis, though just because a salt isn't popular doesn't necessarily mean it won't be included in the comparison. Not all people answering this survey will have reefs, some may be running FO or FOWLR tanks. Hopefully the result of the analysis will better aide us (including newbies) in choosing an appropriate salt for our tanks.

If your salt mix (or natural seawater source) isn't listed, please post and let us know what you're using.