Reef salt or regular salt

[alex277]

I’m in the process of getting ready to set up a new tank (first saltwater) and I’m going to be running it as a FOWLR for probably at least a couple months, could be longer, and will eventually add in corals. Question is, should I still use the reef salt from day 1, even if corals won’t be going in for 2-3 months? Or should I use regular salt, and then when corals are added I can start using the reef salt? I wasn’t sure if using the reef salt prior to adding corals in would necessarily hurt anything.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I’m in the process of getting ready to set up a new tank (first saltwater) and I’m going to be running it as a FOWLR for probably at least a couple months, could be longer, and will eventually add in corals. Question is, should I still use the reef salt from day 1, even if corals won’t be going in for 2-3 months? Or should I use regular salt, and then when corals are added I can start using the reef salt? I wasn’t sure if using the reef salt prior to adding corals in would necessarily hurt anything.

Always use salt intended for saltwater aquariums

 

[alex277]

Always use salt intended for saltwater aquariums

I didn’t mean salt not intended for saltwater, I meant salt meant for fish only vs salt for coral tanks specifically. The reef salts include things such as calcium.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I didn’t mean salt not intended for saltwater, I meant salt meant for fish only vs salt for coral tanks specifically. The reef salts include things such as calcium.

Ohhh ok haha. Just making sure butt if it were me I'd use reef salt from the start so that when you do add corals you won't have to do really big water changes to get your calcium, mag, alk to the right levels

 

[Not an IT guy]

I’d stick to reef as 2-3 months from adding corals you’d want to be able to sustain parameters right from the start.

 

[alex277]

Okay that’s what I was thinking would be the way to go, thanks for confirming!

 

[Cell]

I think you are misunderstanding the salts we use in this hobby. They are all suited for both fish and coral. Some have higher levels of the big 3 (alk/ca/mg) but everyone runs their reefs at different levels and many eventually dose to their exact desired levels. Starting with a salt that provides parameters close to your desired levels can save time and/or money.

 

[doubleshot00]

I didn’t mean salt not intended for saltwater, I meant salt meant for fish only vs salt for coral tanks specifically. The reef salts include things such as calcium.

Never knew there was salt just for fish.

 

[Cell]

I guess maybe you are deciding between IO regular and Reef Crystal?

 

[Reef.]

Okay that’s what I was thinking would be the way to go, thanks for confirming!

What salt are you planning on using, as some brands of reef salt are not the preferred choice for many, for instance I use Instant ocean salt, but not their reef salt. So for fish or corals I would use the regular IO.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

What salt are you planning on using, as some brands of reef salt are not the preferred choice for many, for instance I use Instant ocean salt, but not their reef salt. So for fish or corals I would use the regular IO.

probably a good idea....IO reef salt is 13 DKH!

What alkalinity does Reef Crystals mix?


Choosing Salt Mixes

Brand	Calcium (ppm)	Alkalinity (dkh)
Reef Crystals	490	13
Kent Marine	540	8.5
Oceanic	580	8.5
Red Sea	410	7.7

 

[Brucealmighty]

probably a good idea....IO reef salt is 13 DKH!

What alkalinity does Reef Crystals mix?


Choosing Salt Mixes

Brand	Calcium (ppm)	Alkalinity (dkh)
Reef Crystals	490	13
Kent Marine	540	8.5
Oceanic	580	8.5
Red Sea	410	7.7

Any idea on the tropic marin brand? They make two types one with an enhanced reef blend or something.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m in the process of getting ready to set up a new tank (first saltwater) and I’m going to be running it as a FOWLR for probably at least a couple months, could be longer, and will eventually add in corals. Question is, should I still use the reef salt from day 1, even if corals won’t be going in for 2-3 months? Or should I use regular salt, and then when corals are added I can start using the reef salt? I wasn’t sure if using the reef salt prior to adding corals in would necessarily hurt anything.

Reef salt all the way.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Any idea on the tropic marin brand? They make two types one with an enhanced reef blend or something.

Ive used pro and Actif (currently). I like them both

 

[Brucealmighty]

Ive used pro and Actif (currently). I like them both

I have always used tropic marin products am glad I'm not the only one

 

[rtparty]

That chart above is completely outdated.

Reef Crystals has been closer to 11-12dkh for quite a while.

As to the original question, just use IO Purple from day one and be done.

 

[Not an IT guy]

IORC all the way

 

[Reef.]

probably a good idea....IO reef salt is 13 DKH!

What alkalinity does Reef Crystals mix?


Choosing Salt Mixes

Brand	Calcium (ppm)	Alkalinity (dkh)
Reef Crystals	490	13
Kent Marine	540	8.5
Oceanic	580	8.5
Red Sea	410	7.7

For some reason they don’t state the alk but my IO is normally 11.5, I lower it to around 7.3.
I believe their Reef Crystals is a little lower but the other parameters are not as good as IO.

 

[Reef.]

Any idea on the tropic marin brand? They make two types one with an enhanced reef blend or something.

Tropic Marin Pro is the one to go for imo, it has the best parameters, the regular Tropic Marin has higher alk but lower calcium and mag I believe. These two can be stored for months once mixed, the Bio-Actif has to be used within 24 hours so limited for many people, it can also raise your nutrients too with the added ingredients they use for that salt.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Regular instant ocean is perfectly fine for either way you go and is cheap and widely available. I don’t know why people would recommend you use a reef salt with elevated Alk/ca/ and includes trace elements that are of no benefit in a fish only aquarium. The fish will not change colors, grow faster, or be become superfish with reef salts.