Most popular salt mix

[danreef55]

That is a good start! There are other factors to consider such as whether you flush the RODI system before you start adding it to your container; how you service the RODI system (it may be 0 TDS on day 1, but maintaining over time is also important); how you mix and store the saltwater; the similarity in temperature of your mixed water and your tank water; etc.

Great advice. The unit has three stage TDS meters.

 

[danreef55]

Many public aquariums use Instant Ocean or Reef Crystals with latter what I’m currently using for testing but main most likely going Tropic Marin Pro although I forgot why exactly

I was a wholesaler back in the early 2000s and we used pallets of IO and everything did fine. We did have a few tanks to hold corals long term and grow them out. IO was fine. I have been out of the hobby for many years and not sure what may have changed. I have been asking a bunch of questions on R2R and appreciate everyone's input

 

[Solo McReefer]

lot of stores use them because of that.

A lot of coral farmers use it too

 

[Solo McReefer]

Put a large dessicant pack in your bucket when you open it

Thank me later

 

[danreef55]

I know they can cake-up horribly. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[GARRIGA]

Put a large dessicant pack in your bucket when you open it

Thank me later

I should have. Last batch for my no WC test build is now a rock and it's been in the house in AC since cracked

 

[GlassMunky]

Tends to be either reef crystals or instant ocean because they’re the cheapest and a lot of stores use them because of that.

A recommendation would be: what do you want your parameters to look like based on the corals you want to keep? Then find a salt mix that mixes as close to that as possible. This will help you maintain stability. Here is an interesting read:

Salt mix

I don’t agree with those numbers.
My IO and RC is nowhere close to 11 and 13 DKH. I mix then Evenly half/half by weight and come out with Alk Of 8-9

 

[GlassMunky]

Let me add to this:
I think it’s extremely important for any water change to test you new water parameters before doing your water change. The bigger the change the more important it is.
Spending the extra couple minutes to test it and adjust it to match your current tank is easily done and will really help in the long run, especially if there are any variations from salt batch to salt batch.

 

[Magic031707]

Nyos

 

[crazyfishmom]

I don’t agree with those numbers.
My IO and RC is nowhere close to 11 and 13 DKH. I mix then Evenly half/half by weight and come out with Alk Of 8-9

I’ve only ever had one bucket of reef crystals. The top of the bucket mixed close to 13, the bottom of the bucket mixed at around 9. Switched salt mixes and started mixing my salt prior to use from that point forward.

 

[GlassMunky]

I’ve only ever had one bucket of reef crystals. The top of the bucket mixed close to 13, the bottom of the bucket mixed at around 9. Switched salt mixes and started mixing my salt prior to use from that point forward.

I mix all my salt before use it’s not a mixing issue. In the past 6 months I’ve never seen ALK numbers that high in over 600gallons worth of salt mix

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I use RedSea pro salt for my tank,

 

[BrokenReefer]

@BrokenReefer
Do you prefer the TM Pro or Brightwell. I am evaluating which salt I will use to kick off my upcoming tank. The tank will ultimately be SPS predominate. A total water volume of tank & half-filled sump will be approx 320Gals (not considering the rock displacement). There is a significant premium on both choices vs IO or Reef crystals
appreciate any input.

TM simply because i can get it locally and not have it shipped in; both are good salts in my opinion.

 

[BZOFIQ]

IO

 

[BZOFIQ]

I would love to use ESV but we all have priorities.

 

[Pennekampdream]

I should have. Last batch for my no WC test build is now a rock and it's been in the house in AC since cracked

What time period are we talking about

 

[GARRIGA]

What time period are we talking about

Last I used it was around September 2021.

Have since purchased new unopened waiting for iteration 2.0

 

[Pennekampdream]

Put a large dessicant pack in your bucket when you open it

Thank me later

Sounds like a good idea. Have you done it yourself and where did you get the dessicant from.

 

[rtparty]

Most popular is probably Instant Ocean.

The "best" I tested in my Ultimate Salt Test was NYOS. Why? It simply checked the most boxes for what I want in a salt. Clean, great parameters, consistent, reliable.

 

[Peace River]

Last I used it was around September 2021.

Have since purchased new unopened waiting for iteration 2.0

I’m curious if the salt was in a bucket or bags that came in a box?