Are there any issues with switching salts?

Paranoiattack91 · Nov 22, 2015

i figure it would be ok but I want to be sure. I have always used Red Sea coral pro salt but I've recently come across a good deal on instant ocean reef crystals. I've been considering switching salts anyways because the coral pro mixes a bit high on some levels for me. I do a 20 gallon water change every other week on my 120 gallon tank, if I start doing my water changes with the reef crystals there should be no issues right? Also, does anyone have anything bad to say about reef crystals before I make the switch?

David M. · Nov 22, 2015

I'm interested in this too, same boat as you. Been using red sea coral pro for years and got a steal on reef crystals. Alk is a bit high with red sea.

samba_dad · Nov 22, 2015

So I recently went in the other direction - Reef Crystals to Coral Pro. I did a 1/20 of a water change each day and it took a few months to convert over. I did lose a few SPS corals in the process - all frags. However, I have experienced some more rigorous coral growth with the Coral Pro salt. I do like the Red Sea alkalinity and calcium additives more than the BRS additives I was using. I don't think all of my new success was due to the salt mix though. I had simultaneously been trying to stabilize my Alk & Ca, as well as let my Nitrate move up to about 1ppm from close to 0ppm. I do think you can be successful with either salt though.

Paranoiattack91 · Nov 23, 2015

Any one else?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 23, 2015

There are generally no issues changing salts, as long as you recognize how the changes in salt parameters might impact the need for any dosing you are doing.

cb684 · Nov 23, 2015

One issue that comes to mind is that if you are keeping low kH a salt with high kH may cause unwanted fluctuations. It will also depends on how big of a water change you ar planning to do.