Tropic Marine BIO-ACTIF Salt?
- Thread starter wld1783
- Start date
Maybe they are talking about Reef Actif additive and not BIO-Actif salt mix? In any case, I wouldn't compare either with NP-biopellets.
I haven't seen many people using BIO-Actif, probably because it is very expensive and people are having very good results with other, much more affordable salts. For example, the mix I use (hw professional) has always had "bio actif" (
) components yet it costs half of TM BIO-actif here in Finland.
wld1783
Premium Member
Maybe they are talking about Reef Actif additive and not BIO-Actif salt mix? In any case, I wouldn't compare either with NP-biopellets.
I haven't seen many people using BIO-Actif, probably because it is very expensive and people are having very good results with other, much more affordable salts. For example, the mix I use (hw professional) has always had "bio actif" (
How much does it cost there? In Euros?
This is the first time I have access to it.
What is in your mix? In the USA we are very able to adapt to the best practice. Help us out.
In Normandy we adapted overcame and prevailed.
Bill
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Some EU prices for salt mixes (from https://wwws.aquaterrashop.de/meerwasser-neu/)
hw marinemix professional: 47€ / 20 kg (2.35 €/kg)
Tropic Marin regular: 63€ / 25 kg (2.52 €/kg)
Tropic Marin Pro Reef: 69€ / 25 kg (2.76 €/kg)
Tropic Marin BIO-ACTIF: 98€ / 25 kg (3.92 €/kg)
I'm not sure what you mean but IMO you don't have to adapt to anything: you already have very high quality salt mixes made in USA
If I lived in US, I would probably use IO (or RC) and not bother with EU imports...i use it, in europe too (austria). the package claims that there are bio active substances in it that are beneficial for bacteria and keep the trace elements in solution. the thing with the bacteria could be something like a carbon source compareble to vodka, in my opinion.
i have good results although i have to add a little more magnesium than usual BUT i have NOT tested the raw fresh saltwater for mag.
I use it every other water change with regular TM salt so that would be once a month. i dose vodka too so my system is bacteria driven with a big skimmer and i get almost no nutrients with feeding heavy. that was the reason for me choosing this product as it says it supports such environments, the other thing was i got it for almost the same price as the regular one.
if you want to, i can test fresh saltwater for mag, Ca and KH or other parameters with salifert and post it here..
i have good results although i have to add a little more magnesium than usual BUT i have NOT tested the raw fresh saltwater for mag.
I use it every other water change with regular TM salt so that would be once a month. i dose vodka too so my system is bacteria driven with a big skimmer and i get almost no nutrients with feeding heavy. that was the reason for me choosing this product as it says it supports such environments, the other thing was i got it for almost the same price as the regular one.
if you want to, i can test fresh saltwater for mag, Ca and KH or other parameters with salifert and post it here..
wld1783
Premium Member
Here in the US al lot of successful reefers prefer TM or Red Sea as it has a noticeable effect on our tanks. If you ever taste the salt TM tastes like seawater and IO has a chemical taste
My system is over 8000 liters and after changing from IO to TM everything looks better. I go through 1 bucket a month. I don't mind paying twice for a good salt as I will not have to pay for trace elements.
The cost for TM is about twice that of IO but much less than your cost Online TM regular is $69 IO is $32.
Bill
My system is over 8000 liters and after changing from IO to TM everything looks better. I go through 1 bucket a month. I don't mind paying twice for a good salt as I will not have to pay for trace elements.
The cost for TM is about twice that of IO but much less than your cost Online TM regular is $69 IO is $32.
Bill
If you ever taste the salt TM tastes like seawater and IO has a chemical taste
:lol:
You analyze salts by tasting them? Have you calibrated your mouth recently?
What do you think is in (or not in) TM that makes it taste and/or behave different than IO?
I think that TM Pro is a fine salt mix, and one of the few I'd elect aside from IO, but I've not seen any reason to think it is better than IO.
I personally don't think I want any organics in my seawater mix, and while Tropic Marin Pro doesn't appear to have them, the Bio-Actif does. I'm not sure I'd want them even if I knew what they were, but in the absence of Tropic Marin saying what they are, I'm sure I don't want them.
:lol:
You analyze salts by tasting them? Have you calibrated your mouth recently?
What do you think is in (or not in) TM that makes it taste and/or behave different than IO?
I think that TM Pro is a fine salt mix, and one of the few I'd elect aside from IO, but I've not seen any reason to think it is better than IO.
I personally don't think I want any organics in my seawater mix, and while Tropic Marin Pro doesn't appear to have them, the Bio-Actif does. I'm not sure I'd want them even if I knew what they were, but in the absence of Tropic Marin saying what they are, I'm sure I don't want them.
wld1783
Premium Member
If you ever taste the salt TM tastes like seawater and IO has a chemical taste
:lol:
You analyze salts by tasting them? Have you calibrated your mouth recently?
What do you think is in (or not in) TM that makes it taste and/or behave different than IO?
I think that TM Pro is a fine salt mix, and one of the few I'd elect aside from IO, but I've not seen any reason to think it is better than IO.
I personally don't think I want any organics in my seawater mix, and while Tropic Marin Pro doesn't appear to have them, the Bio-Actif does. I'm not sure I'd want them even if I knew what they were, but in the absence of Tropic Marin saying what they are, I'm sure I don't want them.
Good point I'm not sure I want them in my salt either, however for my setup TM and Red Sea have given me great results since I switched from IO.
I know that to say one is better than the other I would need a control and several tanks to compare and measure. My wife would take a golf club and treat me like Tiger Woods if I set up another tank. Also for the record a friend of mine tasted the salt.:hmm4:
As far as the organics I share your concern which is why I'm posting. I like the theory on NP-Biopellets and started to use 500ml in my 330 SPS. So far no negative results after two weeks. Also no positive results I can see. The ocean has tons of organics that bacteria thrive on, however I would like to see some first hand experience with this salt first. Vodka, VSV or vitamin C have worked for some and not so well for others.
Bill
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I'm giving the salt a try in my tank this week. I'm very happy with KZ Reefers Best Premium salt, but I can get this salt right now for only a few $$ extra.
Will post the Parameters and (although subjective) responses of the inhabitants later this week or next week in my thread.
Leonardo
Will post the Parameters and (although subjective) responses of the inhabitants later this week or next week in my thread.
Leonardo
Salt should replicate, as close as possible, natural sea water, should have clean, top quality components, dissolve properly, and be consistent. Slightly higher or lower values to meet some of the specific requirements of various aquarium uses is ok, but that's it. Period. Nothing extra. There are always sharpies out to market wonderproducts that address multiple issues, and which are worthless, if not harmful. A number of years ago, one salt mix proudly advertised that it already contained antibiotics at theraputic dose levels. And suckers lined up to buy it.
This sounds like the same nonsense. If you want bioactive elements, get them separately, not pre-mixed in some 'supersalt'. My advise is to stay away from these gimmicks. But, as someone observed long ago, 'nobody ever went broke overestimating the intelligence of the public,' a variation on the 'there's one born every minute' theme.
This sounds like the same nonsense. If you want bioactive elements, get them separately, not pre-mixed in some 'supersalt'. My advise is to stay away from these gimmicks. But, as someone observed long ago, 'nobody ever went broke overestimating the intelligence of the public,' a variation on the 'there's one born every minute' theme.
DHaut
New member
Good thoughts so far - any personal experiences with the salt yet? I understand the concerns but haven't heard if anyone's tested them yet.
wld1783
Premium Member
I've used it for just shy of 1 month. Did my monthly 150 gallon waterchange on my 500+ SPS set up.
After 1-2 weeks I noticed better coral colour and polyp extension.
A professional maintainer I know has had similiar results.
We're both sold and this is the only salt I plan on using for awhile. I wish I knew more about it and what exactly makes it bring out coral colour.
I might cut it with regular TM salt to save a little but either way its worth the extra 20 bucks.
Bill
After 1-2 weeks I noticed better coral colour and polyp extension.
A professional maintainer I know has had similiar results.
We're both sold and this is the only salt I plan on using for awhile. I wish I knew more about it and what exactly makes it bring out coral colour.
I might cut it with regular TM salt to save a little but either way its worth the extra 20 bucks.
Bill
romanr
New member
I just ordered a 200g bucket from PremiumAquatics. I will be happy if I actually get 200g worth since I get about 130g worth of IO right now. That's mixing to 1.026. I've used IO 99% of the time since entering this hobby over a decade ago. I tried a small bag of Oceanic once and a couple of buckets of RC. I figured, what the heck. If I deem it not worth the extra cost I'll just go back to RC. But really if it makes anywhere close to 200g then the price deference between it and RC is not all that much. Just a thought. I should have mine sometime next week and I'll post first impressions after my first water change.
I have used IO for 25yrs and have always just dealt with and adjusted the parameters as needed.
I have used TM Bio-actif for 3 weeks and so far I am sold on it .
[Just ordered a second bucket]
It mixes quick and clear with the parameters just right to me.
Should get a full 200g from the bucket so the cost is not as bad as it may seem .
My parameters
1/2 cup/ gal
SG 1.026 [ refractometer ]
Kh 3.2 meq/l [ Salifert ]
Mg 1420 [Elos ]
Ca 440 [ Salifert]
I also noticed clearer water and even better polyp extention on day one.
I have used TM Bio-actif for 3 weeks and so far I am sold on it .
[Just ordered a second bucket]
It mixes quick and clear with the parameters just right to me.
Should get a full 200g from the bucket so the cost is not as bad as it may seem .
My parameters
1/2 cup/ gal
SG 1.026 [ refractometer ]
Kh 3.2 meq/l [ Salifert ]
Mg 1420 [Elos ]
Ca 440 [ Salifert]
I also noticed clearer water and even better polyp extention on day one.
wld1783
Premium Member
You can find it at frag swaps for 85.
Its worth the extra 40 because my corals never looked better.
I've never been a fan of cheap salt. You pay for what you get and considering the thousands in coral I have in my tanks, an extra 40 a month is worth it for me. I just skip the StarBucks and bring a thermos to work and its even. BTW my wife brews me the same coffee from the movie Pulp Fiction:dance:
Also an average coral with a hint of blue in my tank is now a vibrant blue with excellent polyp extension.
I think the TM Reg salt with the Bio-Actif Calcium is also a great option. Still want to know more about how it works but it should work with any quality salt.
Anyone with any negative results please speak up as I'm thinking about buying this stuff in bulk.
romanr
New member
"Why would any Buddy pay $100.00 for bucket salt "
I just did and if the yield is true like others say and keeps me from having to pour mag into my IO tank then I may just only be paying a little more. If the results are as good as others have expressed then I'm good for spending more on salt. I bet I'm easily into 10K plus thus far in this hobby over a decade+. Current setup is probably worth 4K in equipment and livestock so I'm thinking an extra $20 or so bucks a month is fine in the great scheme of things.
I will be looking to post some detailed updates of my impressions once I get my first bucket.
I just did and if the yield is true like others say and keeps me from having to pour mag into my IO tank then I may just only be paying a little more. If the results are as good as others have expressed then I'm good for spending more on salt. I bet I'm easily into 10K plus thus far in this hobby over a decade+. Current setup is probably worth 4K in equipment and livestock so I'm thinking an extra $20 or so bucks a month is fine in the great scheme of things.
I will be looking to post some detailed updates of my impressions once I get my first bucket.
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