Red Sea Coral Pro vs Reef Crystals

renato120 · Sep 13, 2015

Hey guys, what salt do you use? If used both already Wich one do you like better? Any problems when you switched salt? Im just curious to know.
I used reef crystals 4 months ago, and my tank was doing good... So I switched to RSCP and everything whent down hill... It could have been a coincidence. I just want to know what you guys think about those too brands.
Thank you.

zwulfke · Sep 13, 2015

when i switched i had to add in RSCP a little in water changes to get them used to the new salt. I like the RS better than reef crystals I feel it is more ballenced. sounds like you went all in and you just need to be careful of you levels Alk-cal-mag be sure they are ok RS seems to wake them out with water changes but, then I change my water once a month instead of weekly or bi weekly. My tank is doing awesome

palmer · Sep 13, 2015

i loved using RSCP- just got like 8* buckets of RC early this year when petco had their sale-
RSCP is also harder to find where I live

Diesel · Sep 13, 2015

It depends on what level you want to be with your #
Here a pic that gives you an idea what ALK, CAL and MAG is in most if not all the salts available.

SifuMemphis · Sep 13, 2015

I use RSCP, and havent had issues with it. I know that RSCP has a higher alkalinity, around 12.2 - 12.5.... maybe switching salts spiked your alk parameters?

D maul · Sep 13, 2015

I have used both and both are good. I been using Red Sea pro for a year with no problems.

thedru13 · Sep 13, 2015

So I used coral pro salt for years. Could have been user error not sure. I could not keep healthy lps coral growth in my tank I have had 2 tanks fail and massive coral loss. Both time I was unable to stabilize my parameters. My next time around I started out with coral pro again and started to re stock my corals and similar results talking to some friends they said to slowly swap over to reef crystals. Easy to maintain and provides a nice balance. Have to say it gave my testing nice consultant numbers. Tank behavior started to change and things were happy. Just my experience. I have seen lots of great posts about coral pro. I am happy I made the switch to reef crystals and will keep using it.

renato120 · Sep 13, 2015

zwulfke said:
when i switched i had to add in RSCP a little in water changes to get them used to the new salt. I like the RS better than reef crystals I feel it is more ballenced. sounds like you went all in and you just need to be careful of you levels Alk-cal-mag be sure they are ok RS seems to wake them out with water changes but, then I change my water once a month instead of weekly or bi weekly. My tank is doing awesome

One big mistake I did 4 months ago... Corals stop growing sps's bleaching and dying... Parameters are where it should now. When I switched everything was off... Im thinking on switch back to RC

CountrySideCoral · Sep 13, 2015

Red Sea is by far the superior product. I typically buy a bucket of Red Sea coral pro and a bucket of Red Sea (blue bucket) I then mix the two buckets together so I get a blend of high Alk and lower Alk salt. I definitely noticed increased stability and SPS growth when I made the blended salt mixture. I have been using this salt for over 8 years now. I used Red Sea coral pro with my first 10 gallon setup and I haven't looked back.

renato120 · Sep 13, 2015

SifuMemphis said:
I use RSCP, and havent had issues with it. I know that RSCP has a higher alkalinity, around 12.2 - 12.5.... maybe switching salts spiked your alk parameters?

It did change everything... From the day I changed to now all my corals stopped growing....

CountrySideCoral · Sep 13, 2015

Are you mixing RSCP correctly?

renato120 · Sep 13, 2015

thedru13 said:
So I used coral pro salt for years. Could have been user error not sure. I could not keep healthy lps coral growth in my tank I have had 2 tanks fail and massive coral loss. Both time I was unable to stabilize my parameters. My next time around I started out with coral pro again and started to re stock my corals and similar results talking to some friends they said to slowly swap over to reef crystals. Easy to maintain and provides a nice balance. Have to say it gave my testing nice consultant numbers. Tank behavior started to change and things were happy. Just my experience. I have seen lots of great posts about coral pro. I am happy I made the switch to reef crystals and will keep using it.

Same here I cant get parameters stable... Before with RC was soooo much easier... Im really thinking on switching back. Thanks for sharing this...

renato120 · Sep 13, 2015

CountrySideCoral said:
Are you mixing RSCP correctly?

As far as I know yes! I mix the salt 2 to 3 hours and do water change..

CountrySideCoral · Sep 13, 2015

renato120 said:
As far as I know yes! I mix the salt 2 to 3 hours and do water change..

I was just wondering as some users do not realize the mixing regime required for Red Sea salts.

Sabellafella · Sep 13, 2015

Reef crystals is dirty makes your buckets brown cuz of added organics rscp is alright if u dont dry mix bottom of barrel gives about 1600 mag, and esv you mix how you want it

Sabellafella · Sep 13, 2015

Everythings goin downhill? What are u using to measure ur salinity?

zwulfke · Sep 13, 2015

I know i mix RSCP and RS together I mix it for 2 hours and test it adding CAL ALK or MAG to balance to my tank spec and then do my water change. It takes some time to get it all desolved and make sure you stir up the bottom of the bucket too

CountrySideCoral · Sep 13, 2015

Sabellafella said:
Reef crystals is dirty makes your buckets brown cuz of added organics rscp is alright if u dont dry mix bottom of barrel gives about 1600 mag, and esv you mix how you want it

ESV is a good salt. I have seen some amazing tanks with that salt being used. Along with the type of device used to measure the salinity what about your water source? RO, RODI, please don't say tap water or water from your local grocery store.

CountrySideCoral · Sep 13, 2015

zwulfke said:
I know i mix RSCP and RS together I mix it for 2 hours and test it adding CAL ALK or MAG to balance to my tank spec and then do my water change. It takes some time to get it all desolved and make sure you stir up the bottom of the bucket too

I'm glad to see someone else use both Red Sea salts to make a great blend! I don't add anything additional I just mix the two salts make my batch.

Sabellafella · Sep 13, 2015

Esv cant get any better both dry and wet mixing always how you want it ,Oh yea forgot also dont mix redsea for more then 4 hours witch youll have serious serious problems