What's your favorite brand salt mix ?

[Volcano1]

Thanks Dave,
I've always used it thinking it had some more trace elements.I can usually find it on sale cheaper than IO, not on sale. Didn't know if it was worth the extra $$. I don't supplement much, other than keeping ALK, CAL, and MAG stable.

 

[Allmost]

Kent was peddling unnecessary products long before Zeo came about. They used to have a whole line of trace elements you buy in large quantities, there is no telling how many people polluted their tanks over the years thinking they were doing something good. Brightwell is his son in law and carried the tradition forward. Take a look at all of the various additives Brightwell is peddling and then tell me it is needed, not just the Neo ones, but the entire line. I would allmost guarantee you that they did not actually make a copy of the Zeo products but did copy the name. I have real doubts that they reverse engineered the Zeo products but did find a way to cash in on the name game.

I take it back, there is one useful Kent product, their scrapers are pretty good. :dance:

well I see where you are coming from with the trace elements thing. I could agree to some extend, but not fully.

you have to realize this ... one way of reef keeping and adding the lost trace elements is water changes. another way, is to add the lost trace elements ... if used correctly, it is a good to have !

but I agree that its wrong to just done what ever trace element for no reason ...

anyways ... gotta keep an open mind ... there are other ways too.

 

[Allmost]

The only think Zeo did was convince people to remove nutrients to the point that they would have to add some back

if you dont know the science behind something, you shouldnt assume its wrong ...

think about this "if you remove most nutrients, and add what YOU want, maybe it would give you 'full' control of the environment you are trying to make, maybe you would be able to control the environment more to make animals you try to keep happy ?"

does that make any sense ?

 

[jda]

I see alot of folks like IO, instead of RC.Is there a big reason?

Most people have to doctor the RC up a bit anyway... not all. IO typically always needs doctoring, so if you have to do it anyway, just save the $$ on the mix.

I used to mix 50/50 IO and Oceanic salt for a nearly perfect batch for me. I don't see any Oceanic salt around here anymore, so I just use IO and add in some calcium and magnesium.

 

[rtparty]

Favorite: ESV. Clear cut favorite for me. Worth every dollar.


Second favorite: D & D H2Ocean. Too expensive for how little a bucket actually produces.

Least favorite: Reef Crystals. Will never use it again. Fought cyano in three separate systems for over a year. Hate the stuff.

 

[Jettareefer]

I just want to order ESV and be done with it , Fridays Pay day !!

 

[rtparty]

I just want to order ESV and be done with it , Fridays Pay day !!

You'll be happy you did. The first time mixing is a learning curve bit super easy after.

I'm done in less than 15 minutes or so with a whole water change. The salt mixes super clean and is ready to go after mixing for a few minutes.

 

[Dapg8gt]

You'll be happy you did. The first time mixing is a learning curve bit super easy after.

I'm done in less than 15 minutes or so with a whole water change. The salt mixes super clean and is ready to go after mixing for a few minutes.

What are the numbers on the esv? I would like to try it since it's so fast to mix all I need on hand is fresh water that I already have =).

 

[rtparty]

What are the numbers on the esv? I would like to try it since it's so fast to mix all I need on hand is fresh water that I already have =).

Going off what I remember

Alk 9ish
Cal 430ish
Mag 1350ish

I checked it every time I mixed it up for the first few months but haven't checked since. I've been using it for almost 3 years now.

 

[Mr D smack]

Me D Smack what mag test kit are you using ?

Salifert

 

[Dapg8gt]

Going off what I remember

Alk 9ish
Cal 430ish
Mag 1350ish

I checked it every time I mixed it up for the first few months but haven't checked since. I've been using it for almost 3 years now.

Thanks those seem ideal for what I want. I'm gonna give it a try just for not having to have mixed water on hand. I can have my fresh topped off at all times and be good..

 

[biocube101]

Ive been using reef crystals since I set my tank up and I have no complaints! It mixes well. I bought the big box that comes with 4 bags which was nice because I dont use alot at one time so the rest can stay sealed.

 

[jcarbone61]

I was using Red Sea Pro but it kept my Alk at 12.3 so back to TM or SC

 

[TheReefKeeper]

IO years Tropic for years ESV not long now on Coral pro I like it I'm staying wih this for a bit

 

[Rob in Puyallup]

Kent Reef Salt.

 

[Acronic]

Ive used IO for years, only complaint was having to pull the alk line for a day every WC.

Now I use Fritz salt. The alk mixes to 8 dkh, wich is still a smidge high for me but I could care less so long as i dont have to fiddle with my doser anymore. It mixes quickly for me, once its clear it goes in. My sps seem to like it too.

 

[trueblackpercula]

This may or may not help

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1317416&highlight=awt+testing

 

[jackson6745]

Coralife for the last 10 years.

 

[evo187]

Read Sea Coral Pro. My tank is still very young and SPS hasn't started sucking tons of nutrients yet. RSCP I don't have to dose anything extra, just weekly water changes

 

[Peter Eichler]

if you dont know the science behind something, you shouldnt assume its wrong ...

think about this "if you remove most nutrients, and add what YOU want, maybe it would give you 'full' control of the environment you are trying to make, maybe you would be able to control the environment more to make animals you try to keep happy ?"

does that make any sense ?

I understand the science behind it, I just choose to get low nutrient levels without carbon dosing.

Keeping a stunning and perfectly happy reef without a bunch of superfluous products is what makes sense to me.

Anyways, on with the salt thread...