Which brand do you use?

[brbegle]

Good afternoon! I'm hoping that you'll all be willing to help me out by giving me just a minute of your time to participate in a poll. I'm currently in the middle of a small market study regarding sea salt mixes and their packaging. I've been in touch with the larger chain stores and have poked my head into quite a few local shops in AZ to get some opinions, but until today, I didn't think of RC as an excellent resource.

Please take a minute to choose your brand of choice in the poll (if other, please post a message with your brand). If you have a little extra time, post a reply regarding how much salt mix you go through in an average year, specifically why you purchase the salt (quality, brand, packaging, LFS told you to, etc.), and how you specifically would like to see the product packaged (i.e. bag in box, bag, bucket, bottle, etc.).

I'd rather we stay away from debates as to which brand is better, so no fighting! Thanks in advance to all for your help - sorry if I don't get this poll right the first time either! Have a great week everyone!

 

[OnTheReef]

I use Instant Ocean because of its consistency. Other products may boast higher this or that, but Instant Ocean has worked day in and day out. The bucket with O-ring packaging is perfect. And I can use the buckets! Since I just got into aquaculture as well as reefkeeping, I am going through a lot of salt, probably a 160 gallon bucket every 2-3 months.

 

[rudeanduncouth]

I stuck to Coralife simply because it is the cheapest around my area. It seems to be good and mixes very well. I just picked up a 120g bucket for $35.

 

[brbegle]

As a side note, I forgot to ask what size package you are typically purchasing when you go to the store - 25 gallon mix every month, 180 gallon mix every 3 months, etc. Thanks for all the votes already - this information will be extremely helpful!

 

[Greg129]

I use Instant Ocean. It seems to be the most common brand in my area. It's also considered one of the best in the hobby for it's quality and price. I like the bucket packaging.

 

[rickh]

I have been using Reef Crystals, but my pH has always been below 8.0 using RO water. Has anyone else noticed this?? R

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

i use topic marin only because i buy my water pre mixed and thats what my LFS uses lol But i do like it.

 

[brbegle]

Hey Rick - I've had the same issues with my RO/DI water ... not sure of the scientific reason, but I just add a little Alk/PH buffer and it's taken care of.

 

[SuperNerd]

Used to use IO.

Switched to TM and really liked it. My corals all respond much better with it.

Now I use TM Pro.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

IO, because most other people do - so easier aclimating

and 10 200g buckets was my last purchase

 

[brbegle]

Still looking for responses .. bump. Thanks!

 

[brbegle]

I'm a ProReef user myself ... like the levels and don't need to supplement other than a little Alk.

 

[brbegle]

Bump. Sorry - want to keep the poll alive.

 

[elephen]

Mix if Oceanic, IO and Tropic Marin Pro Reef

 

[Wiskey]

I use Instant Ocean due to it's consistancy, I always buy it in the 160 gallon buckets because I will use it eventually, and I go through about 4 buckets per year.

I want to buy salt in a bucket with a o-ring in the top that is air tight and does not require a hammer to open!!! Instant ocean came out with a VERY cool bucket, and I bought it, but never saw the same bucket again, just back to their old crappy hammer open one.

Whiskey

 

[LivingTropicals]

TM or TM Pro never anything else.

 

[orlenz]

I use Oceanpure pro, love it.

 

[brbegle]

I've looked everywhere, even called ESU direct - can anyone tell me where Coralife mix is produced and filled? Is it co-packed by another company?

 

[my2girls]

I use Reef Crystals. I will switch to Tropic Marin next.

 

[rustybucket145]

I want IO to start including a hammer with each bucket!!! All my hammers are solid rust now!!! But I do like the bucket.