Considering switching salts

Js.Aqua.Project · Dec 16, 2017

I currently have been using Red Sea's Coral Pro salt. Overall my tank is very happy as I have been following the RS Mixed Reef recipe as well. I am getting great growth and coloration from all of my corals.

SG 1.024
Ca 450 (dosing 8ml/day)
dKH 11.5 (dosing 10ml/day)
Mg 1350
NO3 ~2
PO4 .08
Dosing NoPox @ 1ml/25gal
Coral Colors @.8ml
Reef Energy @ 10ml/ea

The reason I am considering switching is due to the amount of debris (usually sand and a brown film) left after mixing up water for water changes (30gal/week). I am just considering whether to continue with RS salts with these byproducts.

I have heard good things about Aquaforest reef salt and I know it is synthetic (so no byproducts, in theory).

Thoughts?

Would also be interested in hearing how you have transitioned between salts.

andyg1960 · Dec 16, 2017

Your tank is doing well. If it aint broke......

Js.Aqua.Project · Dec 16, 2017

andyg1960 said:
Your tank is doing well. If it aint broke......

I agree, and that is what I preach as well, but I am unsure of what this film is and I am adding it to my tank...

NowGlazeIT · Dec 16, 2017

That’s why we run carbon man. I use this salt to and I’ve noticed i can’t leave it in a bucket half full for a few days because it went foul not sure where the contamination could have started because i use the Home Depot buckets with a lid but it had been awhile since i cleaned my RO buckets. Either way my tanks run stable on it. I just make a fresh mix before each water change

Scorpius · Dec 16, 2017

ESV Salt. No residue in the 4 yrs I've used it. Consistent as well just expensive.

cracker · Dec 16, 2017

I get the same stuff, never seemed to cause any issues. It will come off with a vinegar soak. I'm using the regular Red Sea salt.

Js.Aqua.Project · Dec 16, 2017

I mix my batches about an hour or two before I use it, so I don't let it set and develop anything over time.

I haven't run carbon for about a month but plan on resuming it again soon. Thinking of installing one of the BRS GFO/Carbon reactors to replace my current AquaFX GFO reactor.

DSC reef · Dec 16, 2017

The residue won't hurt anything. Typically I mix and use within 2 hours then wipe the buckets dry with a towel and ready to use again. You'll be surprised at how many salts leave residue. If that's your main reason for switching then I'd stay with what your using since your tank is doing well. Now if there were other issues like wanting lower alk then I can see thinking about it.

Jamie7907 · Dec 16, 2017

If it’s working I wouldn’t change it. FWIW I would use just about any other salt than aqua forest. It’s also dirty despite being manufactured rather than harvested. The problem I had with it was the parameters for everything were all over the map. I saw alk as low as 6 as high as 12 and the calcium in the 200’s, mag 900, potassium 300 and so on. For the premium price there are many better salts available that have never had issues like this such as Tropic Marin. I really like the Red Sea blue bucket and Seachem salinity. I’ve used both for years and they’re always pretty stable.

amps · Dec 16, 2017

If you really wanna change, the Red Sea Blue Bucket salt is great and extremely clean. Since switching to it I've mixed 150 gallons, 50 gallons at a time and my barrel is spotless. The water sits for roughly 2 weeks before being used up. It's got lower alkalinity, around 8DKH but you can always use baking soda or another alkalinity raising product to boost the alk before using it. I used to use Seachem Reef Builder to boost up the alk in mixing barrel back when I was trying Aquavitro Salinity (it would mix at 5-6 DKH sometimes).

You'll save some money per bucket and be able to maintain the same levels with a little tweaking.

ChaosAquaculture · Dec 16, 2017

I switched from RS Coral Pro to Fritz RPM a few years ago and have never looked back. Phenomenal product.

SGreene · Dec 16, 2017

I've been using Kent Marine for years and no complaints. I switched to Red Sea thinking it was a better product but went back to Kent. My issue was same as yours, too much stuff that don't devolve. Another complain was that RS didn't mix as well as KM. But, like the man said above, if in ain't broke......

40B Knasty · Dec 17, 2017

Js.Aqua.Project said:
I currently have been using Red Sea's Coral Pro salt. Overall my tank is very happy as I have been following the RS Mixed Reef recipe as well. I am getting great growth and coloration from all of my corals.

SG 1.024
Ca 450 (dosing 8ml/day)
dKH 11.5 (dosing 10ml/day)
Mg 1350
NO3 ~2
PO4 .08
Dosing NoPox @ 1ml/25gal
Coral Colors @.8ml
Reef Energy @ 10ml/ea

The reason I am considering switching is due to the amount of debris (usually sand and a brown film) left after mixing up water for water changes (30gal/week). I am just considering whether to continue with RS salts with these byproducts.

I have heard good things about Aquaforest reef salt and I know it is synthetic (so no byproducts, in theory).

Thoughts?

Would also be interested in hearing how you have transitioned between salts.

I used RSCP. Cost became an issue for the amount it costs per pound. Bottom line it is just salt. They are all not the same. I landed on Reef Crystals. Best bang for your buck and has all the right levels to start you off high enough and by the end of the week. You don't go below the danger levels. There is no reason to be in a certain salt club user. They all work as salt. What matters is the alk, cal, & mag.