Salt mix

GillMeister · Dec 21, 2020

I'm getting a little tired of finding TM Pro Reef is out of stock any time I need it. What's a suitable alternative if I decide to change mix?

CanuckReefer · Dec 21, 2020

GillMeister said:
I'm getting a little tired of finding TM Pro Reef is out of stock any time I need it. What's a suitable alternative if I decide to change mix?

My retailer too...in fact several others in town.... they are pushing the higher end Red Sea mix on me, looks like I'm gonna have to make the switch. My bucket is looking rather paltry right now....

fishgutz · Dec 21, 2020

CanuckReefer said:
My retailer too...in fact several others in town.... they are pushing the higher end Red Sea mix on me, looks like I'm gonna have to make the switch. My bucket is looking rather paltry right now....

Been using instant ocean for 30 years. Still haven’t found a reason not to use it.

Dr. Jim · Dec 21, 2020

You'll probably get many opinions. Most any are fine. My favorite is ESV.

Shirak · Dec 21, 2020

I switched to HWMarinemix reefer. It mixes well and has a higher alk around 9 that I prefer over the TM Pro. I feel they are comparable otherwise.

ryshark · Dec 22, 2020

Dr. Jim said:
You'll probably get many opinions. Most any are fine. My favorite is ESV.

Me too. I like the alk it mixes at and it is super consistent from batch to batch, bucket to bucket. Also no residue.

Dr. Jim · Dec 22, 2020

ryshark said:
Me too. I like the alk it mixes at and it is super consistent from batch to batch, bucket to bucket. Also no residue.

Is it mixing near alk 9 for you? (This is the only thing I don’t like. A little high for me). I just ordered some and their new Transition Elements (with and without carbon)

bobnicaragua · Dec 22, 2020

Brightwell neo marine is another solid option.

ryshark · Dec 22, 2020

Dr. Jim said:
Is it mixing near alk 9 for you? (This is the only thing I don’t like. A little high for me). I just ordered some and their new Transition Elements (with and without carbon)

I’ve been mixing below 9. More like 8.5, but this brings me back to the other thread and salinity calibration issues. So you get 9 with your glass hydrometer? At 34ppt or 35ppt?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 22, 2020

GillMeister said:
I'm getting a little tired of finding TM Pro Reef is out of stock any time I need it. What's a suitable alternative if I decide to change mix?

Suitable? Nearly all salt mixes are suitable.

What aspects are most important to you?

GillMeister · Dec 22, 2020

Alkalinity, calcium, mg. I don't like precipitation in my mixing station either. For that reason I've been using Tropic Marin pro reef. Its just never available when I need it.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 22, 2020

GillMeister said:
Alkalinity, calcium, mg. I don't like precipitation in my mixing station either. For that reason I've been using Tropic Marin pro reef. Its just never available when I need it.

I don't know what values you are targeting, but to avoid precipitation you want a low alk mix.

Maybe the Red Sea blue bucket.

LeftyReefer · Dec 22, 2020

Give the Live Aquaria salt a try.
55# box is about $50 with free shipping from Petco with the repeat delivery option, and even cheaper during sales.

I've been using it for 6 months and haven't had to clean out any mixing containers yet. it mixes clear, fast, and never leaves anything behind. Parameters have been fine for me. when I mix it up at 35ppt I get an ALK of 8.4-8.5.
I'm completely sold on the stuff. It's packaging is very similar to Fritz, so there are assumptions that its the same stuff.

Dr. Jim · Dec 22, 2020

ryshark said:
I’ve been mixing below 9. More like 8.5, but this brings me back to the other thread and salinity calibration issues. So you get 9 with your glass hydrometer? At 34ppt or 35ppt?

This is from a recent chat with Bob Stark at ESV: "Our salt runs at about 9.1 dKH at 34ppt."
I haven't used it in 4 years (since I closed my pet shop and vet hospital) so I wanted to know if there have been any changes. One change is that the Li is not as high as it use to be, so that is good. I use to buy this salt by the pallet! I highly recommend it. I have been using other salts this past year for my small temporary tank (while waiting to sell my house) but decided to go back to the ESV.

GillMeister · Dec 22, 2020

What about ESV? Alkalinity looks closer to TM pro reef. Kinda spendy, though.

GillMeister · Dec 22, 2020

Dr. Jim said:
This is from a recent chat with Bob Stark at ESV: "Our salt runs at about 9.1 dKH at 34ppt."
I haven't used it in 4 years (since I closed my pet shop and vet hospital) so I wanted to know if there have been any changes. One change is that the Li is not as high as it use to be, so that is good. I use to buy this salt by the pallet! I highly recommend it. I have been using other salts this past year for my small temporary tank (while waiting to sell my house) but decided to go back to the ESV.

I missed seeing this before I posted!

ryshark · Dec 22, 2020

Dr. Jim said:
This is from a recent chat with Bob Stark at ESV: "Our salt runs at about 9.1 dKH at 34ppt."
I haven't used it in 4 years (since I closed my pet shop and vet hospital) so I wanted to know if there have been any changes. One change is that the Li is not as high as it use to be, so that is good. I use to buy this salt by the pallet! I highly recommend it. I have been using other salts this past year for my small temporary tank (while waiting to sell my house) but decided to go back to the ESV.

It doesn’t mix that high in alk for me even at 35ppt. But could be a solution/refractometer issue.

ryshark · Dec 27, 2020

Dr. Jim said:
This is from a recent chat with Bob Stark at ESV: "Our salt runs at about 9.1 dKH at 34ppt."
I haven't used it in 4 years (since I closed my pet shop and vet hospital) so I wanted to know if there have been any changes. One change is that the Li is not as high as it use to be, so that is good. I use to buy this salt by the pallet! I highly recommend it. I have been using other salts this past year for my small temporary tank (while waiting to sell my house) but decided to go back to the ESV.

I mixed a new batch of ESV today for a water change and here is the Alk I got with Hanna.
@ 35ppt according to a Brightwell solution calibrated refractometer = 8.3
@37.5ppt according to a Aqua Craft solution calibrated refractometer = 8.3
There is a BRStv Investigates and it mixed up at 8.5 for them.

vetteguy53081 · Dec 27, 2020

It has to be retailers as TM PRO is available according to tropic Marin
I get mine from petco.com

CanuckReefer · Dec 27, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
It has to be retailers as TM PRO is available according to tropic Marin
I get mine from petco.com

If you are ordering online I guess sure... every retailer here in Toronto area is having issues with acquiring, and for months now....I have inquired with over a half dozen. Time for a new mix if they are that much a pain in the butt...