Salt recommendations

[Cory]

If money was not a problem, id use tropic marine because according to most triton samples, its not elevated in aluminum, tin or others that other salt mixes have been.

But on a budget im going to use io.

 

[Cory]

Don't forget about Coral Sea salt from Kordon. The brand has been around since the early 70's, as long as Instant Ocean. It's probably the fastest dissolving, and most consistent salt available in the U.S. market.

Lol and your name is Kordon. You must be the owner. No?

 

[Scott.h]

I don't use Red Sea, but if I were you I'd stick to the blue bucket and keep going. I'm buying the most expensive salt on the market and it has its issues too. Every salt I've switched to seems to very one bucket to the next, I still end up dosing or changing the parameters pre water change. It's there is no apparent reason to switch, don't.

 

[Mike_J]

I started in the hobby many years ago with Red Sea Salt, which I liked very much. With all the hoopla over AquaForest, I tried the AF Reef Salt a year ago and have stuck with it. My coral seem to take to it very well, almost immediately. I also love the fact that it mixes in 15 minutes and is ready to use. I have incorporated most of the AF program into my tank maintenance since. Good luck!

 

[Steadyreef42]

Fritz has worked very well for me. Mixes clear and very affordable

 

[Lninwa]

I know another salt question, but here goes. I currently use red sea regular for my reef. No complaints at all just ready to order more, and thought of trying something else on the new order. I tried the coral pro and reef crystals in the past but they mix a little high for me. I am shooting for natural parameters with my salt mix so nothing in the high range. I use IO for my QT and fish only as it is the best bang for the buck you can get. I thought about it for my reef, but it sometimes mixes up brown and I plan an automatic water change for my new tank build, and water will be stored for around a month when mixed. The red sea does well with this and loses very little elements while being stored. That is my end goal as the new tank is getting closer to being ready. Thanks

I use Red Sea Pro and it always leaves that brown residue. The guys at Bulk Reef Supply recommend HW marine so I might try that next

 

[Sage Robinson]

I like dupla marin premium reef salt, mixes fast and leaves no residue

 

[ReefKeeperElite]

I used IO for years and switched to Red Sea blue a couple months ago. I heat my RODI to 78 overnight, then remove the heaters and add salt in the morning, then mix with a powerhead for 1.5 hours. Crystal clear at that point, never saw any brown residue.

Since switching, corals have shown much more color. E.g. my miami hurricane chalice started displaying yellow and green spots instead of the usual pink. Awesome salt imo, will never use anything else.

 

[Morgosverlo]

Not many using Tropic Marin Reef Actif?

 

[bif24701]

I love IO but i hate the brown residue. I have noticed no ill effects from it but I really don't like it. I like the blue bucket red sea and noticed good results, but I went from 50/50 mix of reef crystal and red sea pro.

The brown residue is from an additive that IO added to the salt to precipitate out heavy harmful metals from the water. This allows you to use conditioned tap water to mix the salt safely. It is completely harmless once the salt has been mixed properly with water. It's basil inert brown sand at that point.

 

[Shaun Sweeney]

I know another salt question, but here goes. I currently use red sea regular for my reef. No complaints at all just ready to order more, and thought of trying something else on the new order. I tried the coral pro and reef crystals in the past but they mix a little high for me. I am shooting for natural parameters with my salt mix so nothing in the high range. I use IO for my QT and fish only as it is the best bang for the buck you can get. I thought about it for my reef, but it sometimes mixes up brown and I plan an automatic water change for my new tank build, and water will be stored for around a month when mixed. The red sea does well with this and loses very little elements while being stored. That is my end goal as the new tank is getting closer to being ready. Thanks

I use 1/3 Red Sea Coral Pro and 2/3 Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. That brings the dkh down from straight RSC and otherwise gives me a decent mix. The other benefit is that it gives me RSC as a handy, easy to mix salt because it dissolves so quickly. I'd be very interested to find out how you plan to do an automatic water change. That implies electronic valves and I haven't found any I'd trust in the salt water circuit.

 

[bif24701]

I use 1/3 Red Sea Coral Pro and 2/3 Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. That brings the dkh down from straight RSC and otherwise gives me a decent mix. The other benefit is that it gives me RSC as a handy, easy to mix salt because it dissolves so quickly. I'd be very interested to find out how you plan to do an automatic water change. That implies electronic valves and I haven't found any I'd trust in the salt water circuit.

You don't need electric valves. Well calibrated dosing pumps, a few float switches, and a controller make it very doable. In fact automatic continuous daily water change systems are becoming common in specialized coral systems.

 

[Scott.h]

Not many using Tropic Marin Reef Actif?

with that salt you can't monitor or decide how much carbon dosing you are putting in. You may add more, which becomes a waste of extra money and time, or not need as much, which can cause problems too.

 

[JOKER]

I will be using a stenner dual head pump for water changes. I have checked both heads several times, and get the same amount through both heads. I will be able to exchange a little over 2 gallons an hour if I want to go that far, but I think 2 gallons in a day should be sufficient on a 200 gallon system.

 

[sonubhai]

I went from Red Sea to Reef Crystals to Kent Marine to Reef Crystals and back to Coral Pro and will stick with coral pro.

 

[JOKER]

Coral pro is good salt but it mixes a little higher than what I am looking for.

 

[Brad Bessett]

Switched from Red Sea Coral Pro to Fritz RPM recently and am happy with the change.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Have used almost all at one time or another. Still like Salinity the best but very hard to find. Currently using Aquaforest with no complaints so far.

 

[skim]

 

[Willy315]

I've used ESV for several years now. It mixes up better than any other salt I've used. Crystal clear and no residue.