Salt Preference + Bonus Question for the Advanced

[Tenshoa]

The simple question: What salt do you use and why? I'm looking more specifically for answers that involve trace elements pertaining to coral health and growth. Even more specifically, in reference to SPS.

The Advanced Question: I have been "told" before that different salts contain different qualities of minerals, particularly in calcium. The idea is that some salts that may read high in calcium aren't necessarily efficient as it is possible to get a false indication of how readily absorbed the calcium in that particular brand is. Without naming a specific brand, I had once used a salt that seemed to maintain my calcium much more easily than others. If it is in fact possible to have different qualities of salt, theoretically, and according what I was told, the calcium measurements I was getting and their stability was due to the fact that the corals were not uptaking what was in the water column.

Can anyone confirm this theory with any hard evidence?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I use Instant Ocean's Reef Crystals as it is specifically blended to use in tanks that house corals.

Here are some articles that may be helpful:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1714505
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/rhf/index.php
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/11/aafeature1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1

 

[nogascans]

I use Reef Crystals as well. However, I found that the ALK mixes too high for my liking based on wanting to use a 4-5 hours after mixing. I have started mixing Reef Crystals and regular Instant Ocean in a 3/2 (1/2 cups) ratio per 5 gallons mixed.

Sincerely,

David

 

[JustinGr]

Aquavitro

It lists exactly what is in it and what concentrations and each batch is lab tested to validate the batch.

 

[sirreal63]

It seems you are going about this in reverse. Instead of asking for evidence to prove someone else's theory is correct, perhaps it would be better to ask them to prove it. For virtually any brand of salt you can pick, there are people with stunning tanks using that salt. This tends to show that the brand of salt isn't the limiting factor. Most people also supplement the cal/alk/mag with dosers or reactors and do not rely on the salt mix for keeping parameters in check.

 

[ryeguyy84]

I use coralife because it mixes the closest to what my tank parameters are.

Alk: 8.5
Cal: 430
Mag: 1300

it's pretty consistent between batches.

 

[Allmost]

its the amount of Magnesium a salt has, that sets how well it can hold calcium and carbonated in water column.

if MG is too low, CA++ will precipitate very fast.

 

[Tenshoa]

Thanks for some of these responses.

I use Instant Ocean's Reef Crystals as it is specifically blended to use in tanks that house corals.

Here are some articles that may be helpful:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1714505
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/rhf/index.php
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/11/aafeature1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1

Thank you for these. I will read these later.

It seems you are going about this in reverse. Instead of asking for evidence to prove someone else's theory is correct, perhaps it would be better to ask them to prove it. For virtually any brand of salt you can pick, there are people with stunning tanks using that salt. This tends to show that the brand of salt isn't the limiting factor. Most people also supplement the cal/alk/mag with dosers or reactors and do not rely on the salt mix for keeping parameters in check.

Unfortunately this person is not around anymore. It was a LFS employee who no longer works there. While I agree that most any salt will do and that there are many stunning tanks using different salts, my point in question is whether or not the elements are optimal. While the outcome of how beautiful a tank is may be fantastic, the means to get to that point are what is relevant. I also think that most of us are dosing cal/alk/mag regularly. But if I have my choice between an inferior or superior salt, why would I choose the inferior just because I'm dosing. It doesn't necessarily stop at the calcium element. The same may be true for other elements that we do not dose.

its the amount of Magnesium a salt has, that sets how well it can hold calcium and carbonated in water column.

if MG is too low, CA++ will precipitate very fast.

This makes a very good point. I notice a very large amount of people who use Reef Crystals. I also notice a very large amount of Mag in RC. All of their tanks are beautiful and grow quickly.

I recently switched from Tropic Marin to Aquavitro to give it a try. My only problem with it is that it doesn't mix very quickly and it seems that my Mag is low after every wc.

 

[sirreal63]

But if I have my choice between an inferior or superior salt, why would I choose the inferior just because I'm dosing. It doesn't necessarily stop at the calcium element. The same may be true for other elements that we do not dose.

What would you consider an inferior salt?

 

[Tenshoa]

What would you consider an inferior salt?

As stated in my original post, a salt containing elements that are not as readily available as they may be in a different brand. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that one exists. That is the point of my question in the original post. And "inferior" may not be the best choice of word. For argument's sake, lets say "less than ideal for my purposes".

 

[Allmost]

some salts ... lack some major elements, like fritz, or the other one I cant remember ... claimed to evaporate seawater and use the left over salts !

they lacked in major elements .... and interestingly, they were NOT cheap salts !

so inferior when it comes to salt is not based on price ... IO is cheapest and most stable for example !

 

[Tenshoa]

.... and interestingly, they were NOT cheap salts !

so inferior when it comes to salt is not based on price ... IO is cheapest and most stable for example !

That makes a good point as well. I am not interested in what salts are the best "deal" or best "priced" either. I will pay the money for a good salt. So for the purposes of this thread, I'd like to know everyone's salt preference without cost being a factor.

 

[sirreal63]

Cost isn't a factor but I use regular IO, but have used a lot of different salts over the years and never found anything wrong with any of them. I use IO because it is fairly consistent and mixes clean and easy. I avoid RC because of the EDTA and vitamins and it tends to leave sludge behind, but it is in use by a lot of people and there is nothing wrong with using it.

I suspect the LFS employee was just trash talking and had no proof of anything other than the need to try and impress you.

 

[Syntax1325]

so inferior when it comes to salt is not based on price ... IO is cheapest and most stable for example !

Is this from your experience? If not, could you please provide the evidence for such a statement? Let's not mislead the OP... The only fact here is that there are people who are keeping successful and thriving corals with every salt brand. The determining factor for success is a set of parameters with many variables much broader and deeper than the brand of salt.

To the OP, I wish you luck in your search for answers to your question; however, IMHO, the question you are asking can only be answered in a proper lab setting, not from people with hobby grade test kits and the lack of a consistent control group with an infinite amount variables. I wish there was a simple answer to this question... Me, I use Red Sea Coral Pro because I like the process of its production and it works for me. I can't make any other claims, just my experience. Good luck.

 

[atreis]

Over the years I used IO, Coralife, Red Sea CoralPro, and one other whose name I don't remember. I never noticed ANY difference in the health of the animals in the aquarium, and only minor differences in how readily they dissolve.

I'd say my favorite was Coralife because it came in convenient 1 lb bags inside the 5 lb bucket, and they gave me a t-shirt that I wear while working out.

 

[marinelife]

I use Instant Ocean. I tried others but have come back because of price, availability, and level within the salt.

 

[cpllongjk]

I am currently testing ESV Bionic Salt. Here is a review from my tank thread...

Where to begin. Well, lets start with the goods.

1. Once water is made, and heated mixing time takes less than 20 minutes to fully dissolve.
2. If you have a digital scale, pretty cheap imo, you can get water changes 100% the same every time.
3. No inconsistent batches from settling in the bucket/bag like with other sea salts.
4. IMO the best salt for pico tanks or nano tanks where you do 10g or less in a water change.
5. You can adjust the magnesium, alk, and calcium just by adding more or less of 3 of the regents

Bads:

1. Very expensive, sometimes twice the price per gallon vs Instant Ocean/Reef Crystals
2. Sometimes annoying to make sure you have almost same amount of reagent/salts added vs a few cups of this salt and forget it for a day.
3. More storage space required vs bucket method

I feel this salt fits the "The I want my water perfect every water change person." I ran nano tanks for years and know how important exact water changes are to the aquarium. This salt fits the bill. With my water changing 10g tank, I've figured out I have about 9.2 gallons per change. I honestly do not think that ESV's solution is the best. I think it really depends on budget and time. If you want salt ready NOW, this salt is for you and if you don't mind waiting a bit, do something else. I can say one thing for certain though. Do not buy this salt if you plan on doing really big water changes. The salt is way too expensive vs the competition.

I have some ReefCrystals left over that I need to unload from my dad's garage. I will probably conclude my testing on salt after that runs out and make my full decision before buying more. If I had to rate ESV Salt I would give it 4/5 stars, with the star taken due to cost vs competition.

Happy Reefing, Jared

 

[GroktheCube]

I use ESV B-ionic.

My reasons why:
-Mixes faster than any other salt I've used.
-Zero batch to batch variation, and no settling/stratification in a bucket.
-Identical to tank parameters.
-Major chemical parameters can be tweaked.
-Never leaves any precipitation, residue, etc in mixing barrel.

 

[Bilk]

Another for ESV. Not because I think it's somehow better in the elements included. In the end, it's less work. I never have to clean the reservoir of sludge buildup, which in some sense gives me confidence there's nothing in it that's unnecessary. Mixing clear in a few minutes is another plus. If some unforeseen reason you need to do a large, quick WC and there's not already enough water mixed on hand, ESV is great stuff. Never see the corals react negatively from doing a large WC, though I haven't had to do that for the new tank. Did almost a 100% change in a 50g and nothing looked worse for it. It might be a bit more expensive than some, but not really when compared to the "designer" or specialty "reef" salts. Tried RSCP and really didn't like the cloudiness that remained or the residue in the mixing container. That was enough to make me switch back.

 

[guserto4]

What about the idea of mixing salts? I mean we are going to go through it anyway, what if mixing a kind of salt that seems to go big on mag or calc or something with one that's low? Granted you are probably chasing one level that might throw another way out, but if we are going to use the salt anyway, maybe try a few and mix and match and come up with a mix of varieties that suites your tank perfect? Maybe I'm just adding complexity to chaos or maybe I'm on to something...