Need Help With A Salt Choice

RazorRamon · Oct 14, 2020

So I've been using regular IO for a while now and I don't like how high my ALK runs (10-10.5 dkh). I want to change salts, but need some help from people who have experiences with these salts. The three salts in question are A. Frtiz RPM Blue B. Redsea Blue Bucket C. HW-Marinemix reefer. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

vabben · Oct 14, 2020

Sorry no experience with your choices. I run Tropic Marin Reef Pro, take a look at it. Great high quality salt, mixes clean, and can be stored for a long time with no loss in quality.

Pistondog · Oct 14, 2020

RazorRamon said:
So I've been using regular IO for a while now and I don't like how high my ALK runs (10-10.5 dkh). I want to change salts, but need some help from people who have experiences with these salts. The three salts in question are A. Frtiz RPM Blue B. Redsea Blue Bucket C. HW-Marinemix reefer. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Happy with hw marinemix reefer, but I run triton, so water changes are 30g for my 75g + 20 fuge over the past 6 months.

Pete80 · Oct 14, 2020

Red Sea blue bucket is great salt , mixes fast and clean
been using it for a while , never had an issue

JCTReefer · Oct 14, 2020

Only one I have experience with is Red Sea Blue Bucket. It’s really close to the parameters I keep so that’s what I went with. Been using it for about 3 years without issue. Mixes up clear with almost zero residue. I clean my mixing bend after every water change though. I’m crazy like that. After wiping dry with a paper towel there might be a slight tinge of brown. It’s also been consistent from batch to batch. Can be stored for long periods also. 1/2 cup per gallon mixes right at 1.026 also. Unless you’re doing huge water changes, having a salt that matches your parameters exactly, isn’t really super important IMO. BRS has done a ton of videos on salt mixes. You can always give those a watch also. I’ve used many salt over the last 20 years. They’ve all got the job done to be honest. Even IO

. Seems I used a mix years ago that smelled like cat P!ss.
Can’t recall which brand it was though. Stay away from that one!!! Lol!!!

RazorRamon · Oct 15, 2020

vabben said:
Sorry no experience with your choices. I run Tropic Marin Reef Pro, take a look at it. Great high quality salt, mixes clean, and can be stored for a long time with no loss in quality.

I used to only run Tropic Marin but the bio actif version. just found it to costly

RazorRamon · Oct 15, 2020

Pistondog said:
Happy with hw marinemix reefer, but I run triton, so water changes are 30g for my 75g + 20 fuge over the past 6 months.

I've always wanted to try triton

RazorRamon · Oct 15, 2020

JCTReefer said:
Only one I have experience with is Red Sea Blue Bucket. It’s really close to the parameters I keep so that’s what I went with. Been using it for about 3 years without issue. Mixes up clear with almost zero residue. I clean my mixing bend after every water change though. I’m crazy like that. After wiping dry with a paper towel there might be a slight tinge of brown. It’s also been consistent from batch to batch. Can be stored for long periods also. 1/2 cup per gallon mixes right at 1.026 also. Unless you’re doing huge water changes, having a salt that matches your parameters exactly, isn’t really super important IMO. BRS has done a ton of videos on salt mixes. You can always give those a watch also. I’ve used many salt over the last 20 years. They’ve all got the job done to be honest. Even IO . Seems I used a mix years ago that smelled like cat P!ss.
Can’t recall which brand it was though. Stay away from that one!!! Lol!!!

great in depth response! So far def leaning towards redsea

K7BMG · Oct 15, 2020

RazorRamon said:
I've always wanted to try triton

Then do it. Great method.
They also recomend Tropic Marin Pro.
The ICP test is based off two salts TMP and I think a Red sea.

Anyway I have allways used TMP.
Over a year and a half and have never had to clean my 300g mixing tank.
It is as white and clear as the day I put it in service.
The parameters stay stable when stored.

djryan2000 · Oct 15, 2020

RazorRamon said:
So I've been using regular IO for a while now and I don't like how high my ALK runs (10-10.5 dkh). I want to change salts, but need some help from people who have experiences with these salts. The three salts in question are A. Frtiz RPM Blue B. Redsea Blue Bucket C. HW-Marinemix reefer. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve had a positive experience with Fritz RPM. It mixes incredibly fast - the water is crystal clear within a few hours. Fritz also does a great job with quality control.

jeffrey750750 · Oct 15, 2020

I started with instant ocean reef crystals and changed over to tropic marin pro reef salt about 8 months ago.

K7BMG · Oct 15, 2020

Additionally I forgot to mention.
A lot of people say to use a salt that matches the parameters you want.
Well some want parameters that are way out of line with good ole mother nature and want to run 10-12dkh to natures 7ish.
So I see the argument they have, but thats a choice.
Not the right one IMO but theres to make.

OREGONIC · Oct 15, 2020

I ran Aquaforest for a few years. About 2 years ago I ordered some Red Sea blue bucket because Aquaforest was out of stock for a few weeks, been using ever since. Mixes pretty clean and the parameters pretty closely match my tank, no complaints about the salt whatsoever.

RazorRamon · Oct 15, 2020

djryan2000 said:
I’ve had a positive experience with Fritz RPM. It mixes incredibly fast - the water is crystal clear within a few hours. Fritz also does a great job with quality control.

Fritz seems to have good reviews and seems more affordable than the other 2 as well.

RazorRamon · Oct 15, 2020

OREGONIC said:
I ran Aquaforest for a few years. About 2 years ago I ordered some Red Sea blue bucket because Aquaforest was out of stock for a few weeks, been using ever since. Mixes pretty clean and the parameters pretty closely match my tank, no complaints about the salt whatsoever.

The tide is pushing towards redsea

Dolphins18 · Oct 15, 2020

Hi don't overthink, I have had a lot of success in this hobby, and I think other's have like me.
I have bought fritz, red sea, and instant ocean.
I go with whats on sale between these 3 when I start the tank, though red sea became a thing of the past a few years ago.

I consistently use instant ocean or fritz. I Guarantee you the most important part is choosing one brand and STICKING with it, its not the end of the world if you switch, dont overthink it, but dont make it a habit.

They are all indeed salt at the end of the day, show me a tank with "pro" reef salt vs IO, you have to dose to see ultimate results, salt is not worth 2 or 3x the price for just some added minerals.

RazorRamon · Oct 15, 2020

mstoneman17 said:
Hi don't overthink, I have had a lot of success in this hobby, and I think other's have like me.
I have bought fritz, red sea, and instant ocean.
I go with whats on sale between these 3 when I start the tank, though red sea became a thing of the past a few years ago.

I consistently use instant ocean or fritz. I Guarantee you the most important part is choosing one brand and STICKING with it, its not the end of the world if you switch, dont overthink it, but dont make it a habit.

They are all indeed salt at the end of the day, show me a tank with "pro" reef salt vs IO, you have to dose to see ultimate results, salt is not worth 2 or 3x the price for just some added minerals.

You make a great argument. I also think sticking with a salt is important. I've been with IO for a year now. It takes some time to mix and I don't fully love the parameters it mixes to. After reading your post I think I've made a decision, thank you.

OREGONIC · Oct 15, 2020

I dont think switching salt, if done via small water changes is a bad thing. If you are only doing a 10% water change you are only introducing the new salt 10% at a time. You could even mix your old salt and new salt 50/50 and then a 10% water change would only have a 5% change. I wouldn’t change salt brands often or attempt to change other things such as dosing brands at the same time as changing salt. I also do believe in the saying if it aint broke dont fix it. I had good luck switching salts but likely never would have if the salt I was using was readily available at the time.