sps tanks salt choice

[SneekaPeek]

I am using Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt at the moment...I was using D&D h2Ocean, but changed to TMPR because the D&D had too much measurable phosphates in it.

TMPR salt is very good; mixes well, no phosphates, no residue etc. BUT I hate the extremely low alk! I mean if it was about 6.5dKH then it would have been perfect.

The odd thing is, the previous bucket had an alk level of around 6, but this new bucket is only 4dKH. And yes, I mixed the buckets well.

So...I am switching to Instant Ocean for my next salt. In most stores in the UK, IO and RC cost almost twice as most other brands...hence why I dont buy these two...but this week I located a couple of online places that sell it similar prices to other brand salts.

Good choice, I remember having this conversation a little while back about the buckets bringing in moisture and what not, but this does not seem to be the case. faulty buckets and there is nothing we can do about it. Just change salts. No need to buy crap. After a while the company will fix their mistakes, but it will be too late. They lost all business from me and I'm glad because at the price they were cheating me at since the beginning only makes me more frustrated. Consistency is a key selling point in my opinion.

 

[evo187]

Blue bucket parameters look much better. I think I will try that next and see how it goes. I'm tempted to just go IO and dose what I need to but if the parameters on blue bucket are that close I think I'd be fine with that.

 

[Mcbeezus]

I use RC, but when i test for ALK its always around 7...i see that others test around 11. I use API test kits. However, RC has kept my tank looking great.

 

[MBMAX]

used IO change to Red Sea Coral Pro. I test right after mixing (1 hour) Alk 8.5 , Cal 425 and mag 1370.

 

[evo187]

used IO change to Red Sea Coral Pro. I test right after mixing (1 hour) Alk 8.5 , Cal 425 and mag 1370.

What test kit are you using and to what salinity.

My RSCP data is coming from Red Sea reef foundation pro. I'm wondering if my readings are high due to the test kit, or if one is more accurate than the other. Or it may just be bucket to bucket there are inconsistencies.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

Been using instant ocean for years. Cheap and free delivery. I use a lot and i love it.

 

[jcarbone61]

I use Red Sea.....I like that some of its dried sea water

 

[DopeCantWin]

Been using instant ocean for years. Cheap and free delivery. I use a lot and i love it.

That's the pic they should use on their boxes, they'd sell a lot more.

 

[kungfukid]

Reef Crystal seems to have high level of Calcium.
I have been using Reef Crystal for the last 2 years and never have to dose calcium on my sps tank. Good salt but if you want to keep low level of Cal, try something else

 

[flyingphish]

the best salt is the salt your LFS sells.

trade frags for salt.

 

[Adrnalnrsh]

Using TM Pro Reef - 200Gal for $72.99 on AMZ with free 2 day using prime

 

[Ckyuv]

I am currently using the Red Sea. I use tm calcium for dosing and I love it so I will probably be trying it for my salt next. I've just gotten used to the Red Sea and hate to change lol

 

[Leonardo_]

I am using Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt at the moment...I was using D&D h2Ocean, but changed to TMPR because the D&D had too much measurable phosphates in it.

TMPR salt is very good; mixes well, no phosphates, no residue etc. BUT I hate the extremely low alk! I mean if it was about 6.5dKH then it would have been perfect.

The odd thing is, the previous bucket had an alk level of around 6, but this new bucket is only 4dKH. And yes, I mixed the buckets well.

So...I am switching to Instant Ocean for my next salt. In most stores in the UK, IO and RC cost almost twice as most other brands...hence why I dont buy these two...but this week I located a couple of online places that sell it similar prices to other brand salts.

Sahin,

Have you tried Royal Nature Salt? I've been using it for a while now and I'm very pleased with it.

Regards, Leonardo

 

[kevensquint]

Thanks for all the info. I ordered Red Sea pro. I will try it for now then maybe IO I'm looking for closed to nsw I can get to

I've seen recent chemical analysis of IO, TMP, RS coral pro, H2Ocean, reefcrystals, seachem and royal nature.
According to the read out. NONE! Of these salts are close to NSW. Each is too high in some elements and too low in others. Not to mention, most have Alk between 9-11 DKH. Tge sea is about 7.2 DKH.
The salts that have at least a slight similarity to NSW in the main elements are IO, H2Ocean and RSpro. TMP is not bad. The others won't be going in my tank.