Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt vs Reef Salt

[Nico the Reefer]

I am planning on switching the salt I use from Red Sea's Coral Pro Salt to a synthetic salt like Aquaforest. I have been thoroughly impressed with the results Aquaforest has had and would like to give it a try. My question is which salt (Probiotic Reef Salt or Reef Salt) would best suit my needs. I have a 30 gallon LPS dominant tank with some softies and sps. I realize the Probiotic Salt comes with strains of nitrifying bacteria in conjunction with amino acids and other additives, while the Reef Salt does not. These extra supplements should aid in the lowering of nitrates and phosphates. The Probiotic Salt is advertised to be used on SPS dominant tanks, which is why I am wondering if the low nutrient system this salt creates would be undesirable for an LPS tank. I understand that most LPS corals prefer water that is "higher" in nutrients. Therefore, would the Reef Salt be better for my purposes? Most individuals would say that the Reef Salt is "good enough" for my purposes, but I do not mind spending the extra few dollars for a better salt mix if that is the case. I appreciate any feedback and would like to see what others have to say about this topic.

 

[Salty1962]

The Probiotic has the No3 & Po4 reducing bacteria with major & minor trace elements and vitamins. I love the reef salt and I'm trying the probiotic now to see if there's a response with my corals. Nutrients have been real low due to Vibrant dosing.

 

[jcdeng]

most probiotic salts require you to perform the water change within a certain (short) time frame. If you plan on mixing it the night before and do the water change the next day, go with the reef salt.

 

[Anirban]

I am planning on switching the salt I use from Red Sea's Coral Pro Salt to a synthetic salt like Aquaforest. I have been thoroughly impressed with the results Aquaforest has had and would like to give it a try. My question is which salt (Probiotic Reef Salt or Reef Salt) would best suit my needs. I have a 30 gallon LPS dominant tank with some softies and sps. I realize the Probiotic Salt comes with strains of nitrifying bacteria in conjunction with amino acids and other additives, while the Reef Salt does not. These extra supplements should aid in the lowering of nitrates and phosphates. The Probiotic Salt is advertised to be used on SPS dominant tanks, which is why I am wondering if the low nutrient system this salt creates would be undesirable for an LPS tank. I understand that most LPS corals prefer water that is "higher" in nutrients. Therefore, would the Reef Salt be better for my purposes? Most individuals would say that the Reef Salt is "good enough" for my purposes, but I do not mind spending the extra few dollars for a better salt mix if that is the case. I appreciate any feedback and would like to see what others have to say about this topic.

You understood the details well my friend and reef salt is enough for your system. You dont need probiotic salt for your need unless you move up and decide to keep more SPS and less LPS.....

 

[Nico the Reefer]

Thanks for the help. I guess I'll be going with the Reef Salt then.

 

[TheReefKeeper]

If you plan on mixing it the night before and do the water change the next day, go with the reef salt.

So are you saying you can mix up the Probiotic salt and let it sit but not the reef salt?
And what do you mean by "performing water changes within a certain short timeframe"

 

[mort]

So are you saying you can mix up the Probiotic salt and let it sit but not the reef salt?
And what do you mean by "performing water changes within a certain short timeframe"

My interpretation is that you need to use the probiotic salt quickly due to needing to get the bacteria into the tank where the nutrients to feed them are. With reef salt there isn't going to be any die off, so you don't need to rush.

 

[Anirban]

My interpretation is that you need to use the probiotic salt quickly due to needing to get the bacteria into the tank where the nutrients to feed them are. With reef salt there isn't going to be any die off, so you don't need to rush.

Actually its not the bacteria which need to be feed, the issue is the salt contains amino acid and vitamin which will start degrading overtime. Also you mix or not, the amino acid and vitamin of the probiotic salt will degrade if you store it for long time period.

 

[sneub]

I don't think you need probiotic salt. We have great success using simply salts like Instant Ocean. IO is what I use and I test each batch of freshly made water and added Ca, Mg and Kh as needed to match as closely as possible to my DT prior to water change.