What does salt have in it

[ade]

Ran across this and being as I am going to switch salt I thought that I would take a look see.
What are you all using. I started with Tropic Marin when I started and found that it was hard to come by. Then when to IO for a year or two before using Reef Crystals. I am now going to take a stab at Seachem Reef Salt.

http://aquariumwatertesting.com/AWT_Salt_Analysis_0208.pdf

 

[vetdog]

I think reef crystals is the best thing since toilet paper

 

[REEFY1]

that charts looks promising, Might have to try it myself-

 

[vetdog]

is this a peer reviewed article?

 

[Saboral]

I'm thinking the same thing because if you look at the ammonia column there is definately some trashing going on there. Any background on the creators of this table?

 

[ade]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1287118
Another bit of a read for you. I take all info with a pinch of salt. Trial and error. You can not have a opinion on a product until you have tried it out. I think in this hobby there are too many people that think they know. I claim to know nothing. What works for me might not work for you'll. Why am I changing salt.. Just to see if there is a difference in parameters. IMO the mag in reefcrystals is way too low, if I can save on add mag by using a different salt then great. Just wanted to share.

 

[SS7]

I've read a lot of posts over on the chemistry forum really putting down AWT testings.

However...

Seachem Reef is widely recommended for their ion numbers and consistency with the zeovit community. The only thing I've heard negative is the borate alk they use to artificially increase PH.. the borate alks aren't used for skeletal growth, so alk numbers read about 1 dhk high on average relative to usable carbonate alk.

I prefer it over tropic marine or reef crystals.

SS

 

[ade]

I have read that they have changed their mix and fixed that problem. We shall see.

 

[J. Montgomery]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13498424#post13498424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vetdog
is this a peer reviewed article?

Nope, just marketing material.

I use IO b/c it's inexpensive and easy to find. However, I subscribe to the belief that most major salt brands can be used with good results.

 

[ade]

That is so true Josh. BUT how many additives do we put into our tanks to get the right parameters.

 

[J. Montgomery]

When I make up water (5 gallon mixed to 1.026 with IO) for water changes I add:
1 tsp. Prestone Driveway Heat (boosts calcium up to ~450ppm)
1 tsp. Epsom Salt
4-5 tsp. MAGflake (boosts magnesium up to ~1400ppm)

I top off with limewater (1.5 tsp/gallon).

This method has worked well for me. One of the fascinating things that keeps reefing so interesting is that there are so many different ways to get great results. It's never boring.

 

[ade]

True.

 

[dooleyb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13500029#post13500029 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by J. Montgomery
When I make up water (5 gallon mixed to 1.026 with IO) for water changes I add:
1 tsp. Prestone Driveway Heat (boosts calcium up to ~450ppm)
1 tsp. Epsom Salt
4-5 tsp. MAGflake (boosts magnesium up to ~1400ppm)

I top off with limewater (1.5 tsp/gallon).

This method has worked well for me. One of the fascinating things that keeps reefing so interesting is that there are so many different ways to get great results. It's never boring.

What does the epsom salt do? Where do you get Prestone Driveway Heat and MAGflake?

 

[manderx]

epsom salt adds magnesium and sulfate.
magflake adds magnesium and chloride.

you use a mix of magflake and epsom salt to get the proper residual proportion of sulfate:chloride.

 

[J. Montgomery]

Prestone Driveway Heat (anhydrous calcium chloride) and MAGflake (magnesium chloride) are both de-icers used to melt snow and ice in the winter. Prestone Driveway Heat is widely available in the winder, I bought it at Lowes. I bought MAGflake (sold as 50lb bags for ~$15) Southern States (a farm supply store), as it's also used in horse corrals to keep down the dust.

Though as a warning, when you're a regular dude off the street asking to buy a 50lb bag of MAGflake, you tend to get weird looks like you're a terrorists or something :lol:

 

[dooleyb]

Thanks.