Tell me your favorite salt

[Frizz]

I am finally about to get my tank back this week. I am almost out of salt. The past couple years I have been using Red Sea Coral Pro, primarily because it was the preferred brand sold at the LFS that I frequented the most. Before that I used to use Oceanic for a few years. I love the buckets that Oceanic comes in & I have other uses for them so yeah, it matters but it isn't a necessity. Aqua Touch has told me that they have found the quality to be extremely consistent which I guess is not always the case with synthetic sea salt.
So before I buy a bucket of salt this week, tell me what you like & why. Also is it available locally? I don't have to buy locally but I do generally prefer to do so.
Thank you,
Frizz

 

[plantastic]

I have been using a 60% instant ocean, and a 40% oceanic blend for the last 12 years. It is the blend that I used for the aqua touch "pre-mix" saltwater when I ran the place. I left in January 2011, so I can't vouch, first hand, for what it is now. But I tested every batch for 2 months straight, to perfect the blend.

It consistently resulted in a mix, at 1.025 salinity (starting with 0 tds RO/DI water) that yielded:

Mg-1350-1375ppm
Ca- 420-450ppm
K-400-420ppm
Alkalinity - 3.4-3.6 meq./l
No3-0
Po4-0
Sr-8-12ppm
I-.06-.08

You have to spend about 100$ for the two different salts, but that gets you 360-400 gallons worth. And, you get two buckets each time you "re-up"! It is the most economical wat to get a "premium" blend.

 

[epon]

When I started back up I used kent salt in the 7g bucket from ebay for $50 shipped. Mixed up clean in the container unlike my IO and everything seems happy. Read plenty of folk who were happy with kent before I ordered it.

 

[Jayreefer]

I also like the Kent salt for how it mixes. Clean, clear, and no crud that reef crystals leaves in the barrel.

I have not tested it perimeters in a while but was consistent for the batches I had. I have been using up some boxes of Reef Crystals that I got super cheap, but am almost out and will most likely go back to the Kent unless I find something else for the $39.99 per 200 gal box price.

 

[AZBigJohn]

I also like the Kent salt for how it mixes. Clean, clear, and no crud that reef crystals leaves in the barrel.

I have not tested it perimeters in a while but was consistent for the batches I had. I have been using up some boxes of Reef Crystals that I got super cheap, but am almost out and will most likely go back to the Kent unless I find something else for the $39.99 per 200 gal box price.

I had always used Instant Ocean, but got into (I think the same) deal a while where I got several cases of Reef Crystals for an amazing price (which is almost gone now).

I was really surprised by the cloudiness of Reef Crystals, and the amount of crud in the bottom of my barrel, so I am watching these comments with interest, as I think I may look at new salt, too.

 

[spscrackhead]

Instant ocean. Its what many of the public aquariums use. Good enough for me, plus it's affordable.
I have a box of reef crystals if anyone wants it pm me I will let it go cheap.

 

[Vanpire]

I also use Instant Ocean. 200 gal box for $39.99 shipped from Amazon. I think the LFS has it for just a little more.

I know I should support local stores, but it is just so convenient to have a heavy box shipped to your door instead of driving to the LFS, buy it and haul it home. Yes, it is not that heavy and yes, I am lazy.

I have noticed that Instant Ocean is low in MG and Calcium but I just add in a little and I am fine. Hard to beat $39.99/200 gal.

 

[FLIPxSIDE]

Instant Ocean for the 39.99$ 200Gal box on Amazon is what I've been using forever now. Use 5G buckets with powerheads to mix and about 30 minutes later ready to go.

If you keep it in your saved for later cart amazon will notify you when it goes on sale when you login. Scored my most recent box for 34$ next day shipped. Cant beat that price. However the boxes always come like they've been thrown down some stairs.

 

[kjonulak]

I too use IO. I use kalk in my top off water for alk/cal. I dose Mg to raise it to the level I like. Mixes clean and I use an AWC system from Spectrapure and it says clear in my holding bucket.

 

[35gmike]

I previously used RSCP but after losing my clam due to the high dkh levels which caused drastic fluctuations in my parameters I switched to Tropic Marin. They really know what they are doing. I add a bit of dkh to my ATO because TM mixes at 7.7 and I like to keep my tank at 8.0. Overall though they are incredibly clean and high in Mg which helps keep my parameters incredibly stable now. I encourage everyone to look up the balling method videos by them on youtube. Helpful for understanding why using IO and dosing heavy may not be the best solution despite what your test kit says. Tropic Marin for the win.

 

[Mael]

Fritz Pro, I like the levels, batch control and very fast water clearing after mix with no sludge build up or alk issues like some RSCP users have had. I switched from Aquavitro for price point and have been happy with the switch overall, coral seems to like it too.

Done IO, RSCP, Brightwell and Aquavitro over the years and ended up at Fritz, never got around to trying aquaforest or tropic marin.

 

[dream54ing]

Fritz Pro, I like the levels, batch control and very fast water clearing after mix with no sludge build up or alk issues like some RSCP users have had. I switched from Aquavitro for price point and have been happy with the switch overall, coral seems to like it too.

Done IO, RSCP, Brightwell and Aquavitro over the years and ended up at Fritz, never got around to trying aquaforest or tropic marin.

Was using Red Sea coral pro for years, but slowly switched over to Fritz 6-8 months ago (for price point as well). Noticed 7 of the 9 setups seem to adapt well to transition, but other 2 not so much. Switched back to RSCP on the other 2 setup and everything went back to normal.

 

[zibba]

Was using Red Sea coral pro for years, but slowly switched over to Fritz 6-8 months ago (for price point as well). Noticed 7 of the 9 setups seem to adapt well to transition, but other 2 not so much. Switched back to RSCP on the other 2 setup and everything went back to normal.

I used Red Sea Coral Pro myself for 4 years or so then switched to instant ocean about 1.5 years ago to try and save a little money since I was going through so much salt. I still have about 6 boxes of IO left but after that, I'm going to look into a source for the regular Red Sea salt (non-pro). It's suppose to have a little lower Alk, which was my issue with RSCP. I don't know anyone who carries it locally though. If someone has a source, please let me know.

Good discussion.

 

[Mael]

I can get the regular red sea from SWJ anytime and bring it to a meeting or auction if you want, if your going to be on this side of town and want to stock up call ahead, they will bring more in.

The Fritz usually mixes to about 8.5 on alk for me which is a little higher than some other mixes.

 

[zibba]

I can get the regular red sea from SWJ anytime and bring it to a meeting or auction if you want, if your going to be on this side of town and want to stock up call ahead, they will bring more in.

The Fritz usually mixes to about 8.5 on alk for me which is a little higher than some other mixes.

Sweet, thanks! I still want to get out there. We went to Studio Blue a few weeks back and wanted to hit up SWJ at the same time but they were closed for the day.

And thanks for letting me know they carry it.

 

[Cyzax]

Been using Reef Crystals for the last 4 years, but just bought some Red Sea Coral Pro. Been fighting a constant Red Slime issue and have heard too many stories about this possibly be due to Reef Crystals, so figured I'd see if that is the case for me.

 

[Frizz]

Thank you guys! Interesting thread.
Tank is supposed to come tomorrow if all goes according to plan. I miss it. Don't have much left but fish & LR in the horse trough. Had I known this was going to take 3 months I would have planned differently & placed all of the coral someone else.
If all goes well, next year will be the year for a lighting upgrade. Meanwhile though I have been given an ultimatum by my usband to be more mindful of water chemistry or the tank goes. After going to all of the trouble to have this repaired it isn't an unreasonable request. Frizz

 

[Jayreefer]

Been using Reef Crystals for the last 4 years, but just bought some Red Sea Coral Pro. Been fighting a constant Red Slime issue and have heard too many stories about this possibly be due to Reef Crystals, so figured I'd see if that is the case for me.

I am also having some red slime with the RC. If it was not for the fact of finding 200 gal boxes for really cheap I would have stuck with kent.

 

[Mael]

chemiclean seems to work best on the red slime/cyano type outbreaks, dose, wait 48 hours, water change and done in most cases.

Zibba - Anytime, they are closed on Mondays only and usually only keep 1-2 bags in stock of the regular salt.

surprised to see no one is on the Tanked HOT Salt.........

 

[xanthurum]

I switched to Fritz and I think it's the best I have ever used.