Salt Recommendations in Large Mixed/SPS Reef

[Dustin1300]

POLL TIME FOR LARGE TANKS! Let us know the salt your using and fill out the template below. I'm just starting a system up and hope to have water in it soon and want to head to PA for the sale on Friday so trying to pull trigger on salt I want Figured I'd let the community answer as a whole and give back so others can get the feedback.

Previously I had a poll on average water changes and had a descent sample of 112 and you can see the results there (Most changed 5-15% weekly). I know that this number can vary substantially based on several variables such as bioload, coral, filtration, maturity of tank, etc but this is still valuable data IMO.

Once you've answered the poll please answer with the following template:

Brand of Salt:
Size of System:
Size of DT:
Quick and Dirty of Filtration:
Monthly Water Change:
Type of Reef Tank (Zoas, SPS, LPS, Fish Only, Etc....)

I've attached an excel sheet below that shows costs of salt based on monthly water change, salt brand used, and total system volume with all the major salt brands. I hope that you can use this to better calculate your monthly/yearly costs of salt and is something I'm trying to consider in all aspects of my large system. Too many give up the beautiful large system because of the recurring costs involved and things such as salt, electricity, and lighting are the three most important factors.

 

[hobogato]

Brand of Salt: reef crystals
Size of System: 250 gal
Size of DT: 250 gal
Quick and Dirty of Filtration: dsb, live rock, live macro-algae, carbon
Monthly Water Change: 15% (5 gal twice a week)
Type of Reef Tank (Zoas, SPS, LPS, Fish Only, Etc....) little bit of everything - very light on the sps

 

[david00061]

All I ever used is Corallife salt mix on sell is around $51.00 for a 200 gallon bucket. system for the last 2 years.
20% every 2 weeks
Size of System: 360 gal
Size of DT: 220 gal
Size of DT: 120 gal
Changed 20% ever 2 weeks

 

[albano]

I'm sure you put a lot of work into your chart....unfortunately, it is NOT correct.
Most, if not all, of those salt mixes have their 'gallon rating', based of LESS than a 1.026 salinity. Therefore those 200g boxes make far less than 200g, and the cost per gallon in higher.
I use ESV which makes a true 200g at 1.026, (I change ~200g a month, ~50g a week), and am happy with results. I previously used Reef Crystals, then Oceanic, then a mix of RC & Oceanic. Switched to ESV about a year ago, and like the results...a little more work to mix, but mixes clear/clean, and can be used immediately, if necessary.

 

[Dustin1300]

I'm sure you put a lot of work into your chart....unfortunately, it is NOT correct.
Most, if not all, of those salt mixes have their 'gallon rating', based of LESS than a 1.026 salinity. Therefore those 200g boxes make far less than 200g, and the cost per gallon in higher.
I use ESV which makes a true 200g at 1.026, (I change ~200g a month, ~50g a week), and am happy with results. I previously used Reef Crystals, then Oceanic, then a mix of RC & Oceanic. Switched to ESV about a year ago, and like the results...a little more work to mix, but mixes clear/clean, and can be used immediately, if necessary.

No other good way to compare and calculate the costs per gallon. This its still about as accurate as you are going to get.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I use Io mixed with rc.
approx 280 gallons.
dt 240.
liverock for filtration.
40 gallon water change every 2 weeks.
I have alittle bit of everything in my reef tank.

 

[Dustin1300]

I use Io mixed with rc.
approx 280 gallons.
dt 240.
liverock for filtration.
40 gallon water change every 2 weeks.
I have alittle bit of everything in my reef tank.

Can you elaborate on the mixture of the two salts and what ratios you use, then what parameters you get with those mixtures?

 

[albano]

No other good way to compare and calculate the costs per gallon. This its still about as accurate as you are going to get.

Most vendors/manufacturers have the 'formulas' on their sites.

I just did a quick search of salt, & found Red Sea 175g, actually makes less than 150g at 1.026...so it would be over .36 per gal...or $528 yr. vs. your $453 yr....those doing weekly WC, would spend over $575 yr.
For myself doing ~50g a week, every week , it would be closer to $1000yr. in salt...that's why, IMO, it is better to know the actual cost of the salt.

FWIW, I buy in volume with some friends, to get the best pricing. Most LFS will give you a good deal if your buying 10-20 boxes/buckets at a time.

<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="620"><tbody><tr><td>s.g.</td> <td>Salinity</td> <td>Calcium</td> <td>Qty of Salt</td></tr> <tr> <td>1.021</td> <td>30.6 ppt</td> <td>420 ppm</td> <td>33.4 g/l 1.4 lb/5 US gal</td></tr> <tr> <td>1.023</td> <td>32.8 ppt</td> <td>450 ppm </td> <td>35.8 g/l1.5 lb/5 US gal</td></tr> <tr> <td>1.025</td> <td>35.0 ppt</td> <td>480 ppm</td> <td>38.2 g/l1.6 lb/5 US gal</td></tr></tbody></table>

Coral Pro is available in the following consumer packs:
7 kg (15.4 lb) - 210 L (55 gal)
22 kg (48.4 lb) - 660 L (175 gal)

 

[Dustin1300]

I guess I've failed to make the calculations completely accurate but is still a great baseline. If you feel like doing all the calculations then by all means feel free to do so

How do you like the Coral Pro? Instead of going with the IO I was leaning towards going to Red Sea or Seachem salts...

 

[bullitr]

Brand of Salt: instant ocean or D&D
Size of System: 550 total
Size of DT:435
Quick and Dirty of Filtration: macroalgae and very good skimmer
Monthly Water Change: less than 5% just to replenish salt from skimmate.
Type of Reef Tank (Zoas, SPS, LPS, Fish Only, Etc....)
Mixed SPS with lots of fish

 

[EddieJ]

Brand of Salt: Red Sea Regular
Size of System: 250 net
Size of DT:210
Quick and Dirty of Filtration: PM Bullet 3 Skimmer and Zeovit
Monthly Water Change: 80 gallons
Type of Reef Tank (Zoas, SPS, LPS, Fish Only, Etc....) Mixed

 

[SPotter]

All of my numbers are for my new system that will be up and running in january.

Brand of Salt: Reef Crystals
Size of System: 400g
Size of DT: 275g estimated net
Quick and Dirty of Filtration: live rock, algae turf scrubber and skimmer
Monthly Water Change: 15% every other week
Type of Reef Tank (Zoas, SPS, LPS, Fish Only, Etc....) its a little bit of everything

I started with Kent...alk was too low, switched to Tropic Marin...didnt like the way it was mixing and still found I had to dose a lot and finally switch to Reef Crystals. Easy to mix, great levels and cost effective.

 

[Dustin1300]

If you consider the discount you can typically get on salt in bulk (~10%) and calculating the Red Sea Pro again....That comes out to 32.9 so that's within a penny of my calculations. 10% is not an exaggeration on salt discounts in bulk and when on sale so figures are still a great baseline. I'm glad you pointed that out though as I noticed that during my calculations but did not have hours to draw up excel sheet

Most vendors/manufacturers have the 'formulas' on their sites.

I just did a quick search of salt, & found Red Sea 175g, actually makes less than 150g at 1.026...so it would be over .36 per gal...or $528 yr. vs. your $453 yr....those doing weekly WC, would spend over $575 yr.

 

[atreis]

I voted "other". I prefer Coralife. It really is good stuff, readily available, and inexpensive.

 

[david00061]

I voted "other". I prefer Coralife. It really is good stuff, readily available, and inexpensive.

My tanks looked great. Color growth.... Coralife is all i use. I buff out mag. and calium.

 

[SPotter]

If you consider the discount you can typically get on salt in bulk (~10%) and calculating the Red Sea Pro again....That comes out to 32.9 so that's within a penny of my calculations. 10% is not an exaggeration on salt discounts in bulk and when on sale so figures are still a great baseline. I'm glad you pointed that out though as I noticed that during my calculations but did not have hours to draw up excel sheet

especially this time of the year theres a lot of deals now. my lfs sells the 200 gallon box of rc for $65. Premium aquatics is selling ut for $54 with an 11% coupon. they also now include boxes of salt in their free shipping for orders over $175. I just ordered two boxes at $48.50 each. The deals are out there.

Steve

 

[bhsgk]

the rc 200g boxes are only $43 at my lfs. and thats their regular price, year round

 

[CaptiveReef]

Instant Ocean Reef Crystals

Instant Ocean Reef Crystals

Instant Ocean Reef Crystals
200 gallon box
10 gallon water change every 7 days
135 gallon system
Tank is dosed with C-Balance every other day, and Reef Plus once a week
System is filtered with mechanical filtration(blue bonded pad) Large Protein Skimmer, Live Rock,Live Sand.
Lighting LED

 

[launchnukes]

I use reef crystals but I dose two part after mixing to bring up the calcium and mg. (Alk is good)

System is 450ish gallons display is 300

I try to change 30 gallons at least every other week but I usually slack. That's probabaly why some sps color is a little weak. I should do 30 a week.

Idose two part daily to keep parameters stable.

I chose rc because it seemed like the best bang for the buck. Ibuy 200g boxes.

Filtration is filter socks, live rock, skimmer, and carbon.

 

[Dustin1300]

I'm between salts but think I've decided on Red Sea Regular....

Using Red Sea Coral Regular and dosing a little mag to bring that number up as I like it a little higher than as defined. Thoughts, opinions? I found the Red Sea Coral Regular for 40.04 for the 175 gallon bucket