Every tank is different, whether it's a 1000,000 gallon tank or a 5 gallon micro tank. Their are way too many variables to compare one tanks needs to another, when it comes to usage of many of the compounds from one company's salt vs another's. Any of the top brands will suit your needs and most will require you to add additives like calcium, even in a small tank. The more you add LPS, SPS and clams, the more calcium and other chemicals will be used up, even in a small tank.
Likes already mentioned above, no batch of new salt will have the exact amount as the last, so test, test, test........until your reef settles out, which can take months to even several years.
My recommendation, start out slow and stay slow, until you have a good amount of reef keeping knowledge. Please put your animals first, you second. You and your inhabitants will be happier !
Another one is, set up at least a 29 gallon quarrintine tank for not only fish, but also corals and clams, as all can carry pests and bad bacteria's. Also set up a smaller sick tank. If any fish gets sick, treat it then back to the quarrintine tank then to your display.
I know this is a lot of time and expense,but if only one fish in your display gets sick, it can kill all the others. Now weigh, the cost difference !
Anyway, there's nothing wrong rotating from any of the well known salt company's, and in that way, if one is low in any additive, the next may bring it up.
