Live aquaria salt

ca1ore · Jun 17, 2018

siggy said:
I was under the Impression L.A. is Now a Stand alone Co or will be. The manager at my local PetCo told me that DFS was being Sold or is in the process. I see LA is now carrying all the dry goods DFS carries. Why the redundancy.

That's interesting.

mitch91175 · Jun 17, 2018

I went from Red Sea Coral Pro -> Instant Ocean (short time lived for me - used only 2 buckets and gave up on it) -> Live Aquaria and have to say that I am very happy with the LA salt. Definitely better than Instant Ocean (absolutely no residue and parameters more in line with what I want my tank to be). Less expensive than Rea Sea Coral Pro so that is always better too

3mm3 · Jun 17, 2018

It looks good on paper, I went ahead and just ordered a couple boxes to try it out. Its also currently on sale.

Bob Loblaw · Jun 17, 2018

Do they still use one big bag in the box?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 17, 2018

joseserrano said:
I end up having to bump mag a lot with IO. So it’s kind of a pain. I would use tropic marine pro, but it’s almost double the price.

How high do you try to keep magnesium?

IO typically has NSW levels.

mitch91175 · Jun 17, 2018

Bob Loblaw said:
Do they still use one big bag in the box?

Yes it is one big bag in the box. Easy problem to solve if you already have empty buckets from other salt mixes.

Rattzreef · Jun 17, 2018

I've used it in both my 10g and my new 29g setup. I like that it mixes well and the fact that its close to home is a bonus..

jda · Jun 17, 2018

The benefit of smaller bags is that you can use the entire bag and not worry about settling or dry mixing. Lots of people complain about inconsistent mixes, but most of the time, they had a big bucket and used just a little at a time and it settled.

I also get very good Mag levels from IO. I have to add a bit of Dowflake to bring the calcium up... and a bit of Mutaric to lower the alk, but then otherwise the stuff has been on the money for decades.

joseserrano · Jun 17, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
How high do you try to keep magnesium?

IO typically has NSW levels.

1250-1350. Not huge at chasing a specific # with mag, but within that range. Was getting,closer to 12 with IO, and it takes a lot of mag to bring it up 50ppm

joseserrano · Jun 17, 2018

It would be better if it came in 50g bags or so, most ppl probably make 10-50 a week. I do about 20g, but do store my salt in an empty bucket. LA seems to be closer to what I run my tank than IO. Other reason I’m trying it out. Was using AF, but too expensive and was getting less than 150g out of a box.

jda · Jun 17, 2018

I get 1290 to 1310 mag out of IO, but I do use a whole 50g bag at a time. Are you dry mixing the salt before you use it?

mitch91175 · Jun 17, 2018

jda said:
The benefit of smaller bags is that you can use the entire bag and not worry about settling or dry mixing. Lots of people complain about inconsistent mixes, but most of the time, they had a big bucket and used just a little at a time and it settled.

I also get very good Mag levels from IO. I have to add a bit of Dowflake to bring the calcium up... and a bit of Mutaric to lower the alk, but then otherwise the stuff has been on the money for decades.

This is easily solved by flipping the bucket a few times before mixing your salt (which manufacturers recommend when they ship salt in a bucket). I take out my LA salt and put in a bucket and do the same thing.

joseserrano · Jun 17, 2018

jda said:
I get 1290 to 1310 mag out of IO, but I do use a whole 50g bag at a time. Are you dry mixing the salt before you use it?

Usually get a box, and put those into a bucket, but I am not rolling it around prior to adding.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 17, 2018

joseserrano said:
1250-1350. Not huge at chasing a specific # with mag, but within that range. Was getting,closer to 12 with IO, and it takes a lot of mag to bring it up 50ppm

I think about 1300 mg/L is the target for IO at 35 ppt. Maybe your salinity is lower than 35 ppt (sg ~1.0264?)

ca1ore · Jun 17, 2018

My W/C is a 50 gallon brute. I dump in a 50 gal bag and fill with RODI to a marked line at 44 gallons. Not going back to a scooping salt.

Reefahholic · Jul 18, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I think about 1300 mg/L is the target for IO at 35 ppt. Maybe your salinity is lower than 35 ppt (sg ~1.0264?)

Randy, I’m trying to find a reasonably priced salt that mixes as close to normal sea water as possible. Any suggestions?

What are you using these days?

jda · Jul 18, 2018

There are not really any. Tropic Marin pro reef is close. Instant Ocean with some muratic acid to lower the alk and dowflake to raise the calcium is very good.

Reefahholic · Jul 18, 2018

Lol, yeah. I’ve noticed when I do a water change my Cal takes a dive. Alk has tested close to 10. I’d rather something 9 or less and definitely with higher Cal.

Forsaken77 · Jul 18, 2018

Just curious...

Has any place ever done icp tests on any salt mixes? Just curious to see how "clean" these salts actually are or what undesirables are in them.