Changing your salt mix

[Reefbuds]

I'm thinking very strongly of switching my salt mix soon. I currently use the instant ocean reef crystals but am looking to change over to the new reef salt liveaquaria is putting out, as their products are always top of the line.
Anyone have experience changes up salt mixes? I'm worried it could shock something in my system as I've used the same salt for almost 18 months now. If I want to would you recommend mixing the new salt with the old salt 50/50 for a few weeks before completely switching over?
Thanks!

 

[marito09]

I'm thinking very strongly of switching my salt mix soon. I currently use the instant ocean reef crystals but am looking to change over to the new reef salt liveaquaria is putting out, as their products are always top of the line.
Anyone have experience changes up salt mixes? I'm worried it could shock something in my system as I've used the same salt for almost 18 months now. If I want to would you recommend mixing the salt for a few weeks before completely switching over?
Thanks!

I went from instant ocean to red sea pro with no problems... actually 24 hours later my corals looked much better. After 2 months now. Growth is crazy.
Just don't do a large one in one shot... 10 gallons a week in a period of 4 weeks will be good. [emoji106]

 

[Oldreefer44]

Have switched salts several times over 30 years in the hobby with no ill effects as long as is gradual process and not all at once. Also, FYI, most house brands (of almost anything) are usually just repackaged versions of another product. Don't know for a fact that it is the case in this specific instance.

 

[FishOfHex]

I'm thinking very strongly of switching my salt mix soon. I currently use the instant ocean reef crystals but am looking to change over to the new reef salt liveaquaria is putting out, as their products are always top of the line.
Anyone have experience changes up salt mixes? I'm worried it could shock something in my system as I've used the same salt for almost 18 months now. If I want to would you recommend mixing the new salt with the old salt 50/50 for a few weeks before completely switching over?
Thanks!

I went from reef crystals to hw marine mix due to high mag levels. Either way when i change salts i tend to do a smaller % for the first one or two water changes then go back to normal. It wouldnt hurt to test the new salt prior to putting it in to see what kind of cal , alk and mag you have compared to the display.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There's no issue changing salt mixes except perhaps how it impacts the need for dosing of calcium and alkalinity and possibly magnesium, since salt mixes vary in their levels.

 

[BoomCorals]

There's no issue changing salt mixes except perhaps how it impacts the need for dosing of calcium and alkalinity and possibly magnesium, since salt mixes vary in their levels.

This x10!

 

[Reefbuds]

Right on thank you for the input, this helps a lot!

 

[SnapBackReeef]

I wouldn't switch salts if your having success. I tried switching my salt and it severely hurt my tank. I almost lost everything ! I use reef crystals and tried switching to fritz and it almost crashed my tank by dropping my alk down to 6! Be careful and switch very slowly if you do !

 

[BoomCorals]

I wouldn't switch salts if your having success. I tried switching my salt and it severely hurt my tank. I almost lost everything ! I use reef crystals and tried switching to fritz and it almost crashed my tank by dropping my alk down to 6! Be careful and switch very slowly if you do !

Fritz mixes to 8.5 alk. Something else must have gone wrong?

 

[DSC reef]

I agree with above posts about having to change what you dose on the big 3. I will add though, I've learned that if I'm having success with the salt I'm using I'm not changing a thing even if it's the latest and greatest fad.