Salt mix?

[JJ4417]

What is you salt mix of choice? Why? What system type of tank do you have (if it isn't in your tag line)?

 

[funman1]

(2) 12G nanos both softies
30G mixed reef but mainly SPS
20G Frag grow out tank mainly SPS

I only use IO Reef Crystals, cheap, easy to find, like the numbers from it when it's mixed, disolves clear fast, did I mention cheap

 

[kdblove_99]

I also only use Reef Crystals

 

[P.Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11716920#post11716920 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
I also only use Reef Crystals

Ditto

 

[JJ4417]

So no one uses Kent or anything else? Steve mentioned cost...Is it cost, trusted name, horror stories from the past, availabilty?

 

[Dave E]

Have tried them all,(what ever was on sale) but have gone back to using Reef Crystals.

Dave

 

[funman1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11720206#post11720206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JJ4417
So no one uses Kent or anything else? Steve mentioned cost...Is it cost, trusted name, horror stories from the past, availabilty?

It's a combination of things:

It seems to work VERY well
The levels are very good when freshly made (No need to add stuff)
It's very easy to find, almost every reefing store carries it
It's VERY brand name
It comes in large buckets (Unlike a few other brands)
AND it just so happens to be VERY affordable.

So summary; Quality, Name, Results, Price

I don't think it's one single factor, it's many, as seen above.


I used Tropic Marin Salt for a while but didn't see any better results, and the price is about the highest out there;
so I went back to what worked just as good, and happens to be cheaper too.

 

[kevin95695]

I started with Kent. Switched to Reef Crystals after the name kept popping up. Noticed things went well after the switch. Had some bad things happen when I started to experiment with certain other things, so I'm trying to keep things as consistent as possible, right down to the brand of salt.

 

[mpoletti]

RC for now, but in the new system I will be mixing salts. A little of this and a little of that.

 

[WarrenG]

I use Kent for now, but when that's gone I'll probably use IO and add in the right amount of calc/alk/mg.

 

[Timmy03]

I use Oceanic, for years and with no problems.

 

[wpnorton]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the prices have been along this line.... Instant Ocean $10-13 a bag.....SeaChem Reef Salt $13-16 a bag and Reef Crystals $18-20 a bag. I've been using SeaChem Reef Salt for about 6 months and seem to be doing OK with it. I'd rather use Reef Crystals, but thought it was to expensive. Can you get it cheaper than Kent or SeaChem around here?

 

[kevin95695]

DrsF&S has big buckets of Reef Crystals for $32. Makes 160g I believe. Shipping isn't bad if you get a big enough order.

 

[ReefnAv]

I use Oceanic and am happy w/ my results as well. I pick up a bucket at O st for around 45.

 

[wpnorton]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11729648#post11729648 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kevin95695
DrsF&S has big buckets of Reef Crystals for $32. Makes 160g I believe. Shipping isn't bad if you get a big enough order.

I went to F&S to checkout the reef crystals...Yep 32 bucks. I loaded 3 buckets in my cart to see what the shipping would be....Came out to $11 dollars. That can't be right, so I'm waiting for the email to say ther'll be an additional charge for shipping heavy items.

 

[funman1]

There won't be..
They will actually ship it for that..

Someone in the club ordered 2,000 lbs of RC salt and they shipped it for like $26 bucks.
No joke!!

 

[wpnorton]

Scratch that thought...I just received a confirmation of shipment email for three buckets of reef crystals. No additional charge. Looks like I'll be switching salt!

 

[funman1]

Hahaha that's awesome.. Just like I said...

Welcome to the "Reef Crystals Club"

 

[ReefnAv]

WOW! No kidding $43 shipped?

Maybe I should make the switch since everybody is so PRO RC!

I hear that changing salts can be a little traumatic for the tank...What's the best procedure? Or' is jut a slow transition w/ 1/4 and 3/4, then 1/2 1md 1/2, then 3/4 and 1/4 find of thing....

 

[funman1]

And that's for just one bucket, buy more buckets and it's even cheaper than $43 shipped.

Yeah I'd switch over slowly.
Prolly 1/4 first week, then half next week, then 3/4 next week, and full change in one month(4th week)

BUT this all depends on how your tank reacts to the smaller changes. If it looks bad then I'd back way off and go smaller, but I suspect that the month change over thing would be fine.