Salt Preference + Bonus Question for the Advanced

[mikedoyle]

aqua craft
will be clear in minutes after mixing
seperate trace element mix
never any residue in mixing container
levels spot on for what I want

 

[Tenshoa]

Thanks for some of the responses. I never knew so many people were so partial to the ESV. I will put that on my list to try. Going to try RC next.

 

[The_Salt_Creep]

I use IO and it has been good to me, I can honestly say I have not tried other salts not plan on it because of the success I have gotten with Instant Ocean

 

[fishysteve]

I use Tropic Marin because the bucket is pretty.

 

[adamwheel]

Red Sea blue bucket seems good for zeovit so far and is available.

 

[igot2gats]

So for the purposes of this thread, I'd like to know everyone's salt preference without cost being a factor.

This is a loaded question. A lot of people who use IO & RC, use it because of price & accessability...including myself.

Like others have said, in the grand scheme of things, the brand of salt isn't the 'be all, end all' as to how well your reef develops.

This is an interesting thread, to say the least.

 

[behlke]

I use IO and adjust the Ca, alk, and Mg to appropriate levels.

 

[DasCamel]

Don't overthink it. Most brands will be fine, just need to be aware of your tank parameters. I'm using Reef Crystals in a young tank, with constant testing and weeklyn20-25% changes! haven't needed to supplement anything. I do hand skim the crude on top of the mix a little, otherwise peachy.

Key is to figure out tank parameters and eventually dose as needed.

 

[FishN00b83]

I've always used reef crystals just because both stores I goto carry it. the mix does leave a brown/tan dust in the mixing container (I clean it out once a month) but oddly enough it doesn't leave anything behind in the tank.

honestly I would go with what is readily available in your area. you'll never know when you'll need to buy an emergency batch of salt. knowing that it will be consistent would be way more important to me.

I really think that's what matters in this hobby. if your tank is consistent, you're less likely to run into issues down the road.

 

[JoelA7]

Thanks for the thread. ESV reviews are very positive and price in line with other high end salts.

 

[SGT_York]

Just FYI RC salt in the 150 Gallon Mix Box is a great deal it comes in four manageable bags and they threw in a totally awesome shirt so I can provide free marketing for them! And the price was awesome.

I've only seen the box available online. Cheaper than the bucket, with individual bags, I'll never buy another salt bucket until I need a new bucket that is!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

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?

Not sure if you are still looking for an answer, but that isn't true. There are no current mixes that I am aware of that use calcium chelated with organics, which would be stupid and very expensive. That's the only way it could become less "available".

 

[Tenshoa]

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?

Not sure if you are still looking for an answer, but that isn't true. There are no current mixes that I am aware of that use calcium chelated with organics, which would be stupid and very expensive. That's the only way it could become less "available".

Yes. Thank you for that answer.

 

[Timfish]

Been using Instant Ocean for longer than I want to admit. :lol:

http://youtu.be/_Uf5IyXvajg
http://youtu.be/KhcRz50cV0s

 

[woodnaquanut]

Loving ESV. Wish price was a bit lower but it mixes so clean I can live with the extra $$.

I have used RSCP. Switched because I got lots of white precip. And it's dusty! I had a fine white power all over me when pouring it in.

Most, if not all, all in one salts are not usable if they cake up. ESV doesn't have that problem. Even a large chunk just falls apart when it hits the mixing barrel!

ESV's particle size is larger that other salts. NO dust.

Did I mention I love ESV?

 

[JoelA7]

I'm going to try it especially because one can mix smaller batches and be assured of results.

 

[accordsirh22]

reef crystals all the way here, its worked super well. no issues. dont plan on using anything else. and its also way more friendly on the wallet

 

[hedgedrew]

I also switched to red sea blue bucket not coral pro. Dissolves clean and no residue and very nicely balanced. 8 kh 420 Cal. 1300 mg. I previously used esv and mixed too strong for me near 10 kh and500 ca.

 

[jpitch]

i recently attended a reefing convention and a name brand salt manufacturer gave me his presentation. he claimed many salt brands use chelated calcium. he claims that the reason why these brands can maintain high calcium levels is because the chelated calcium bonds are harder to break. i think the OP is referring to this. while there are beautiful tanks out there than use every single brand i would also like some facts as to this claim. purchase cost, easy mixing, clarity after mixing have nothing to do with the question at hand. I'd love to hear the question answered.

 

[Tenshoa]

i recently attended a reefing convention and a name brand salt manufacturer gave me his presentation. He claimed many salt brands use chelated calcium. He claims that the reason why these brands can maintain high calcium levels is because the chelated calcium bonds are harder to break. I think the op is referring to this. While there are beautiful tanks out there than use every single brand i would also like some facts as to this claim. Purchase cost, easy mixing, clarity after mixing have nothing to do with the question at hand. I'd love to hear the question answered.

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