Choosing a Salt

[Curelessjr]

My tank has been up and running for a little over a month. Up until this point I've just been buying all my water from my LFS, however, as much as I love visiting the store on a weekly basis, I would prefer to save the 40-minute to hour long trip and make my own water. So, I've begun purchasing my different RO/DI and mixing station parts. What I can't figure out, is salt. After doing some research, I believe I would like to use Tropic Marin Pro, however, between the pandemic, Turkey issues, and supply chain issues, this particular salt is not always available.

Does this salt go out of stock frequently but also restock frequently? Should I just pick a more readily available salt (LFS uses Red Sea)?

I just don't want to pick this salt, and then all of a sudden not have it and screw my tank over.

 

[Doctorgori]

your choice, all of them work

 

[Jekyl]

Just get what ever is cheap and available. Usually one of the instant ocean brands. No reason to buy some crazy salt. After the tank matures you'll be dosing either way.

 

[boacvh]

Imo, All of them work. Pick one that mixes to the alk you want to keep and that is easily available to you.

 

[BanjoBandito]

Ask the LFS what they use. There is absolutely nothing wrong with instant ocean. People complain about it leaving "crud" in mixing bins, but there's ways to prevent that if so inclined. It doesn't hurt anything. If you are just getting started I would say start with instant ocean. You can get a big ol bucket on amazon for under 40 bucks. The boxes are usually around 50 (200 gallon). Best advice I ever got: Don't overthink it.

 

[Duffer]

TMP was widely available, but just like everything else in this world the pandemic it came to a screeching halt.I still use them, but in a pinch i would go with Redsea blue bucket, it closly matches TMP

 

[Not an IT guy]

Instant ocean reef crystals tank.

 

[SchrutesReefs]

Like everything else in this hobby, stability. Having to switch salts is far from impossible, but getting one that fits your needs (parameters) is what’s best. Having to adjust or dose due to a change in alk or cal could be more devastating to your tank.

 

[Curelessjr]

Thank you all for your responses!

I'm fortunate enough to live around a decent number of fish stores, so I had the luxury of picking which store I wanted to buy my water from and to consider my LFS. They use Red Sea, so I'm not opposed to just using what they use. Certainly makes acclimation for live goods easier.