A little advice please...

[Rodney Butcher]

OK I will keep this simple just need a little spoon feeding as I have read so much I am suffering from information overload Great problem to have I assume !!

I am starting a 75 gallon reef on a budget, I am currently getting ready to bring tank inside and set into location. I have the basics for a RO/DI system just need to assembly the components, get it mounted and get into production with that. My short term plan is as follows.

• Place tank and stand inside and get as level as possible. ( I got this step no prob)
• Purchase and Place Substrate and and dry rock in tank. ( I got this step no prob )
• Get RO/DI mounted and producing as well as water storage worked out. (work in progress )
• Decide on what Brand type saltwater mix to use ??? ( No clue )

So I guess my first question would be is there a really good choice on saltwater mix like a "you cant go wrong choice for dummies" or does it matter that much ? In the end I would like to have a few fish a cleanup crew and some softies in my tank. Is there any certain mix I need to lean towards or is this the old which one is better Ford or Chevrolet debate ? Any and all advice appreciated and taken with a grain of salt PUN INTENDED

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Hi Rodney, I'm working on the same setup, a 75g. That's the million $$$ dollar question...LOL I use Red Sea Coral Pro and to me is a good salt that mix pretty easy but there's a lot more choices to choose and you will see few reefers that use and has success with different brands. You might get a few other input about the salt in few minutes.

 

[Bayareareefer18]

I just entered the hobby back in March and finished my first build with a 75.

I use the red sea blue bucket and that keeps me right within the recommended ranges.

 

[Rodney Butcher]

Thanks for your quick response !!

Funny you should mention that "Red Sea Coral Pro" was one that I was looking at mainly just from reading seemed like a good quality brand. The other was Instant Ocean mainly looking at that on Price alone box that makes 200 gallon 46 bucks and free shipping. But don't want to buy on price alone. Maybe several will join in with their comments and I will start to see a common denominator or at least a pattern.

 

[mta_morrow]

Congrats on setting up your new tank and for PLANNING! It will pay off.

FWIW, I believe most any salt is just fine, don't let anyone tell you any different. It is purely personal preference.

I started off with Brightwell Neomarine…...why...….my LFS stocked it and I could get it if I needed it.

mail order is great, but if you happen to have a LFS, or a PETCO for supplies, it is great to support them if you can. And you may need them to help YOU some day.

FWIW, I believe it is WWC that uses plain ol' IO salt. Seems to work for them.

just my $.02

 

[Rodney Butcher]

Congrats on setting up your new tank and for PLANNING! It will pay off.

FWIW, I believe most any salt is just fine, don't let anyone tell you any different. It is purely personal preference.

I started off with Brightwell Neomarine…...why...….my LFS stocked it and I could get it if I needed it.

mail order is great, but if you happen to have a LFS, or a PETCO for supplies, it is great to support them if you can. And you may need them to help YOU some day.

FWIW, I believe it is WWC that uses plain ol' IO salt. Seems to work for them.

just my $.02

Wish we had a LFS that carried saltwater supplies etc.... Unfortunately its close to a 2 hr drive each way to any decent sized store so most times mail order is almost always my best option. Thanks for your advice as well !!

 

[mta_morrow]

Wish we had a LFS that carried saltwater supplies etc.... Unfortunately its close to a 2 hr drive each way to any decent sized store so most times mail order is almost always my best option. Thanks for your advice as well !!

That’s a bummer. Well, you should be able to rack up some rewards points then!

 

[oceaninabox12345]

Honestly salt doesnt matter too much in my opinion. I check them out on amazon and read reviews

 

[Duffer]

i started with Fritz and am very happy with them

 

[Sailingeric]

I use Instant Ocean and I get mine at Petsmart (not sure where you are located at) If you look online the price is a lot cheaper than in the store but just show them the online price and they will adjust at the register.

 

[Flippers4pups]

@Rodney Butcher, there really isn't a clear answer to what salt brand is best. Everyone will give you a personal preference based on previous experience, every one of them valid. Go with what fits your budget first and go from there.

All major salt brands are good at keeping a reef, from there it is sort of dependant on what you plan to keep coral wise, what dosing is needed later to maintain your pramameters and how much water you change and how often.

 

[falc]

FWIW I agree with go with what is budget friendly for you and go with what you can find local! Sometimes a unplanned water change comes along and you don't want to get caught waiting on UPS!

 

[Dennis McGrath]

FWIW I agree with go with what is budget friendly for you and go with what you can find local! Sometimes a unplanned water change comes along and you don't want to get caught waiting on UPS!

Agree 100%. And always have enough salt on hand for at least 2 full water changes, because spills and $41t happens .

 

[GoPitt88]

I just switched from Reef Crystals to Red Sea Coral Pro. Reason? Just to see if it makes any difference. It DOES mix well, and I don't get a brown residue in the bottom of the bucket like I did with Reef Crystals. Not sure why that happened. Anyway, one more piece of advice........when you are putting in the rock and sand, put the rock in FIRST, then the sand. Why? Because you want the rock to be secure and stable, just in case you get a fish that digs tunnels into the sand, like a Gobby. Last thing you want to do is make a pancake fish because he was digging and the rock collapsed on the poor guy. [emoji16]

 

[Rodney Butcher]

Good advice will do Rock First !! I will post my progress over on my build page. I appreciate all responses and I love to here from you guys and gals !! This site is the one reason I felt like I should give a reef a try !! I know its a big undertaking no doubt for a guy who has never had anything other than a Beta tank from the local fair... LOL I have a lot to learn for sure but my mind is really obsessed with it all right now hard to concentrate at work but Im an IT guy so I have a lot of laptop time to read the forums !!!

 

[Oldreefer44]

My Thoughts:
Budget: Hard to beat Instant Ocean
Quality: Use Red Sea Pro myself
Whatever you choose needs to be available locally or as in my case, you keep a substantial reserve supply for emergencies.

 

[oceaninabox12345]

Good advice will do Rock First !! I will post my progress over on my build page. I appreciate all responses and I love to here from you guys and gals !! This site is the one reason I felt like I should give a reef a try !! I know its a big undertaking no doubt for a guy who has never had anything other than a Beta tank from the local fair... LOL I have a lot to learn for sure but my mind is really obsessed with it all right now hard to concentrate at work but Im an IT guy so I have a lot of laptop time to read the forums !!!

I do sand first, and just shove the rock to the bottom of the tank. Keeps it from becoming a sandy mess. I have an engineer goby, so for me, shoving the rock down all thw way was a must [emoji4]

 

[cracker]

hello Rodney the advice on finding something local is best for now. Is there a pet smart closer than a 4 hrs road trip?

 

[Rodney Butcher]

Nope not really at least 1:45 or 2 hr each way. No worries I'm just going to get to 2 boxes shipped and when I use up one I will order the next that way I will always have 2 1/2 full water changes available or more on hand.

 

[oceaninabox12345]

Nope not really at least 1:45 or 2 hr each way. No worries I'm just going to get to 2 boxes shipped and when I use up one I will order the next that way I will always have 2 1/2 full water changes available or more on hand.

Sounds like a good plan to me