Alternative to tropic marin pro

[vinces]

So i am at the end of my first bucket of TMP after switching from IORC and I can’t find any anywhere to purchase. I have been very happy with it so far and would like a temporary alternative until it’s back in stock. Thinking HM-Marinemix vs Fritz RPM. What are you guys using?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So i am at the end of my first bucket of TMP after switching from IORC and I can’t find any anywhere to purchase. I have been very happy with it so far and would like a temporary alternative until it’s back in stock. Thinking HM-Marinemix vs Fritz RPM. What are you guys using?

What attributes do you consider most important?

 

[vinces]

Fast clean mixing and Ca alk levels. Hated the residue in with the IORC

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Following, I'd like to hear Randy's advice

 

[ReefGeezer]

While waiting for Randy's advice, let me add to the conversation... I'm changing from Fritz RPM because it has been leaving a brown unidentifiable residue in the mixing bucket. I keep my system's alk at ~8.0 so I am going to use the standard Red Sea Blue Top Salt mix. I've read posts that say it mixes cleanly at about the same alk as my system and has decent Ca and Mg levels. Red Sea Pro advertizes that it has higher levels of Alk... like 11.5 dKh.

 

[Intense37754]

BRS is out of stock. Premium Aquatics has the smaller bucket in stock

 

[vinces]

Not finding it on their website

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Fast clean mixing and Ca alk levels. Hated the residue in with the IORC

Why did you hate it? I'm just curious why folks care about residues in their salt mixing containers.

I assume this statement means you want a low alk mix, like the Tropic Marin Pro?

If you do not want to start with something like normal IO and drop the alk, then something like Red Sea blue bucket seems reasonable.

 

[Adamantium]

Brightwell Neo Marine has been great for me. I’m on my second bucket. Mixes very clean, consistent parameters, and seems close to TMP.

 

[JMetaxas]

I agree. I don't care about a little residue. I buy Reef Crystals for between $10.50-$13 per 50 gallon bag, and it's a great salt. Just because the other companies charge more, does NOT mean they're selling a better salt.

Instant Ocean probably has significantly better economies of scale on raw materials.

Why did you hate it? I'm just curious why folks care about residues in their salt mixing containers.

I assume this statement means you want a low alk mix, like the Tropic Marin Pro?

If you do not want to start with something like normal IO and drop the alk, then something like Red Sea blue bucket seems reasonable.