Sea Salt-this and why.

[SuperHaze57]

Starting up a couple of tanks and I would like a little reef-back (little joke) feed-back if you would please.
Could some of you please recommend what type, brand of sea salt to purchase and why or why not this brand or type. I've looked at several and would like your experiences good or bad.
Thanks!

 

[Ewilson]

Instant Ocean

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Instant ocean. Good and also cheap.

 

[jsker]

AquaForest, works great and priced right. I have been runnig the Aquaforest program for two years an my system is really doing well. I went back to keeping it after a year messing all kinds of additives and just run the reef salt and components 1+2+3+ If you are just running a fowler they have sea salt that is like the natural ocean water. The reef salt is for growing corals and there probiotic line of salt is more ULNS reef systems.

Just remember with any salt there is going to be a variance from batch to batch

 

[Myk Verified Sponsor]

I use a combination of roughly 75% Red Sea Coral Pro (RSCP), 20% Instant Ocean (IO) and 5% Natural Seawater (NSW). I am happy with the results that I get with it. I also use and sell the ESV salt system and recommend this if making up smaller batches at a time for consistency in the mix. Keep in mind that with any all in one salt mix you can get settling so try to mix in large batches if possible or at least put your salt mix into a container that can easily be mixed around to make sure all of the elements are mixed as evenly as possible before adding to your RO/DI water.

Also, test each batch of mixed saltwater before use.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Have used IO and more recently omega sea, both mix clear and inexpensive. Couldnt find omega sea when i ordered last so have
Have a bucket of D-D H2Ocean Magnesium Pro PLUS Salt Mix coming in to try something closer to my tank measurements. My tank parameters falling in its ranges, see if i see a difference.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Plain old Instant Ocean for me......years of history.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I used instant ocean reef crystals for 2 years, but recently have been getting mixed results, so at the advice of another reefer I'm going to give Fritz a try once my reef crystals runs out.

 

[Myk Verified Sponsor]

I tried the Fritz for a little bit in my shop and liked it. I went back to my original mix mentioned above as I found I got slightly better results with that. I also had no response from customer service for a couple of simple questions that I had about the salt after 2 attempts at reaching them and lost a little confidence in stocking the product after that, but for hobby use I really like that the Fritz RPM offers a 200 gallon case with 4 individually packed 50 gallon mix bags. You pay a little more for it, but assuming that the mix is even at the time of packing it would be easier for hobbyists mixing small batches of saltwater to get consistent results.

 

[Greybeard]

I used IO for many, many years. Two years ago, I switched to Reef Crystals... Why? Because of marketing, mainly... supposed to be 'better' for reef use. I never really saw much difference. Bought a bucket of Red Sea Blue when I started up this tank... don't believe it was worth the added cost, and went back to Reef Crystals. Recently I bought a box of Fritz RPM, because my LFS had it on sale, price was right. Anecdotal evidence says it works pretty well... we'll see. I'll be sending in a Triton test in the next few weeks, after couple of water changes with RPM. See what they have to say about it.

Honestly, go with a name brand with a decent reputation, you're unlikely to make a bad choice.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I used IO for many, many years. Two years ago, I switched to Reef Crystals... Why? Because of marketing, mainly... supposed to be 'better' for reef use. I never really saw much difference. Bought a bucket of Red Sea Blue when I started up this tank... don't believe it was worth the added cost, and went back to Reef Crystals. Recently I bought a box of Fritz RPM, because my LFS had it on sale, price was right. Anecdotal evidence says it works pretty well... we'll see. I'll be sending in a Triton test in the next few weeks, after couple of water changes with RPM. See what they have to say about it.

Definitely keep me posted, I'm about to switch to Fritz as well and would like to see the results i already follow you but the site doesnt always notify me when people i follow post

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I had equally good results with IO and actual real NSW.


Ok that’s a fib, the best most explosive growth of sps was NWS while I wasn’t dosing.

Thus my opinion, it ain’t the salt.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Definitely keep me posted, I'm about to switch to Fritz as well and would like to see the results i already follow you but the site doesnt always notify me when people i follow post

Lol. I can’t find the mixing directions for fritz. I won a big box and it’s still in the garage.

 

[Duffer]

Lol. I can’t find the mixing directions for fritz. I won a big box and it’s still in the garage.

i use Fritz and had the same issue. I called them to get the mixing directions and they stated to use 2.5 cups per 5 gallons which comes out to be 1/2 cup per gallon. It worked out fine for me so i hopes this helps you..

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

i use Fritz and had the same issue. I called them to get the mixing directions and they stated to use 2.5 cups per 5 gallons which comes out to be 1/2 cup per gallon. It worked out fine for me so i hopes this helps you..

Thank you!

I’ll be doing some experiments, I mix by the gram. 800 g of IO in 5g of water comes out perfect every time. RCSP has the G/L on the label.

 

[Greybeard]

Lol. I can’t find the mixing directions for fritz. I won a big box and it’s still in the garage.

What mixing directions? Mix with RODI water to 1.026 SG... like any other marine mix. The 'half cup per gallon' will get you somewhat close, but a decent calibrated hydrometer or refractometer is really the only way to mix seawater.

 

[Duffer]

Thank you!

I’ll be doing some experiments, I mix by the gram. 800 g of IO in 5g of water comes out perfect every time. RCSP has the G/L on the label.

Give them a call they were real friendly and easy to talk to..

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What mixing directions? Mix with RODI water to 1.026 SG... like any other marine mix. The 'half cup per gallon' will get you somewhat close, but a decent calibrated hydrometer or refractometer is really the only way to mix seawater.

Lol. 800 g of IO in 5g water. No adjustment needed. I got tired of testing it cuz it was perfect every time. Same when I mixed RCSP.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Give them a call they were real friendly and easy to talk to..

Cool , thank you.
I guess I was worried about insulting them by saying why don’t you don’t put mixing directions on the box.

 

[skiergd011013]

I read a similar thread to this a while back and the best reply I read was "the answer to your question is whatever so and so is using" lol