Salt mixes.

Davy Jones · Dec 7, 2015

Hello, I currently use reef crystals and they mix very inconsistently for me. I plan to switch to something different here soon as I'm getting to the bottom of my salt bucket.

The mixes I'm considering are:
Red sea coral pro
Hw marine reefer
Tunze reef excel
Kz reefer best.

Maybe others depending on recommendations!

My 2 questions are :1. Which salt do you use and why? And 2. How do I switch to another brand, do I need to mix half and half or can my water changes just use the new salt and be okay?

Thanks for the help!

joeyhatch11 · Dec 7, 2015

Use to use Red Sea Coral Pro but with such a high alk I was having lots of issues keeping SPS. I've since been using just regular Red Sea and bumping the magnesium level in the water change bucket to where I like to keep my tanks. I've been using it for a few months now (4-5) and I've seen a HUGE improvement in my SPS colors and growth. My tank is finally happy and I'm excited to see everything growing at a great rate.

buzzword · Dec 7, 2015

Just started using AquaForest Reef salt. Stuff mixes really quickly and without any sediment or residue unlike IO and Seachem. dKH was 7, Ca and Mag 420 and 1300. Comes with a vial of Probiotic bacteria as well. Going to use this for the next few months and see if it has an impact on my tank.

Davy Jones · Dec 7, 2015

Thanks for the replies guys!
Good to know about the RSCP and your sps. I have a few sticks in mine just starting to grow and color up nicely, would hate to stunt that.

Ive never heard of aquaForest before, Let us know how it goes!!

Joe30326 · Dec 7, 2015

I use Hw-marinemix reefer. It is a fully synthetic salt, so their is no unwanted biproducts in the salt. I see great growth on my sps lps and softies since switching from Red Sea coral pro. My only complaint is it comes in a cardboard box, I prefer the plastic bucket rscp comes in.

Tahoe61 · Dec 7, 2015

I used RC for about a year, the swings in Alk were to0 much for my nanos and my mag just kept creeping up. I have been using IO since 1987 and adjust accordingly for the corals that dominate my tank.

Davy Jones · Dec 7, 2015

I dont currently dose so i do like the idea of having elevated levels. It seems some people LOVE RSCP and others Hate it. I kind of like the idea of the Fully Synthetic HW marinemix reefer, the levels are good for what i want and i like that there are no unwanted stuff.. But its always sold out on BRS and amazon doesnt carry the reefer stuff. So IDK.

Thanks for the replies though! its good to hear what you guys are all using!

Joe30326 · Dec 7, 2015

I bought more of it during brs Black Friday sales, so it probably sold out during that event

shoelaceike · Dec 7, 2015

I've used Seachem for a while and have always had good results

Davy Jones · Dec 7, 2015

I might also consider Seachem salinity if i can get a good price on it. Thanks for all the input guys! appreciate it!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 7, 2015

Dirtrider225 said:
Hello, I currently use reef crystals and they mix very inconsistently for me. I plan to switch to something different here soon as I'm getting to the bottom of my salt bucket.

The mixes I'm considering are:
Red sea coral pro
Hw marine reefer
Tunze reef excel
Kz reefer best.

Maybe others depending on recommendations!

My 2 questions are :1. Which salt do you use and why? And 2. How do I switch to another brand, do I need to mix half and half or can my water changes just use the new salt and be okay?

Thanks for the help!

I use and like normal Instant Ocean.

That said, what do you mean by inconsistency? You mean within a bucket, or bucket to bucket?

Because settling can and will occur with any mix, so making up the whole bag or bucket at once will eliminate that issue, and rolling to mix it might help when you need small portions.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 7, 2015

Tahoe61 said:
I used RC for about a year, the swings in Alk were to0 much for my nanos and my mag just kept creeping up. I have been using IO since 1987 and adjust accordingly for the corals that dominate my tank.

Why would magnesium creep up when using the same mix? Are you trying to keep it lower than the salt mix itself?

Rausch · Dec 7, 2015

I personally use regular old IO and highly recommend it . I have heard a lot of negatives coming from other brands as they use organic compounds within the salts. Which do in time break down and can cause issues further down the line. If you do weekly water changes and feed your fish regularly then IO should provide enough for everything to grow. But it also builds a stable consistent platform on which you can start using additives and dosing in the future without ever worrying about if that supplement is already in your salt mix.

LE0 · Dec 7, 2015

I will also start using aquaforest salt on my new build since our store carries it out now curious how good it'll be.

Davy Jones · Dec 7, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I use and like normal Instant Ocean.

That said, what do you mean by inconsistency? You mean within a bucket, or bucket to bucket?

Because settling can and will occur with any mix, so making up the whole bag or bucket at once will eliminate that issue, and rolling to mix it might help when you need small portions.

Between batches and within the same bucket lol after doing some research today i learned that i need to mix up my bucket before each use (live in a small apartment, dont have room to mix 160 gallons of saltwater)

Tahoe61 · Dec 7, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Why would magnesium creep up when using the same mix? Are you trying to keep it lower than the salt mix itself?

No idea, used different test kits to rule out user error. Was using a two part Kent A/B at the time, I attributed it initially to part A addition. Changed dosing solutions and regime.

Mag value at it's highest was 1800 ppm, value was 1600 chronically. While that range is above desired value, but not extremely detrimental I was experiencing STN to sps.

Went back to using IO and the issue resolved. Keep in mind this was a 28 gallon tank so a large container of salt lasted me months. Could have been the batch not sure.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 7, 2015

OK, I have no idea why it might get that high (aside from testing error). No salt mix targets values that high, but it is possible it was a bad batch or a bad part of a bucket.

Vinh · Dec 7, 2015

I just purchased a 160 gallon bucket of salt to save money and only have a nano tank which means it will take me a long time to get through. Didn't realize this stuff settles and need mixing.

Thunt4jr · Dec 7, 2015

I really like Red Sea Coral Pro and that's what I'm using on my tank. I don't have any problems with my corals or anything. I used to use instant ocean, just can't remember why I stop using them. Been many years ago!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 7, 2015

Vinh said:
I just purchased a 160 gallon bucket of salt to save money and only have a nano tank which means it will take me a long time to get through. Didn't realize this stuff settles and need mixing.

It won't settle sitting in your basement.

But it will settle in a truck transporting it or if you store it on your washing machine (an IO rep did this to test it

).