Switching salt mixes?

[Davy Jones]

For the last 4 months I've been using Hw marine mix reefer salt, it's spendy but my tank looks nice. I know the saying if it ain't broke don't fix it, however Im wondering if switching to a cheaper salt would be okay. I know many use IO and red sea blue bucket. I love the idea of saving some money as the $100 some dollars a box (that does about 140 gallons ish) is spendy. Can I safely switch? Will I have issues? Or should I just stick with what I'm doing. Because it's working? I'd love to save $30-40 every box but I hate the idea of losing stuff. Thoughts? Opinions? Experiences?

 

[twilliard]

Salts will mix at different element levels so you have to pay attention to that.

 

[Davy Jones]

Salts will mix at different element levels so you have to pay attention to that.

I understand that all the elements will be different, and I can test for the major ones and go from there. I dose esv 2 part to maintain levels anyways so I plan on sticking with a lower value for alk and call than the elevated salts. Im just concerned that the transition could negatively affect the tank?

 

[GMay]

Should not be a problem. If you to 5 - 10% weekly water change you should have no problem with the transition.

 

[cloak]

Assuming that your only doing 10-20% water changes once every week or so, (maybe longer) you shouldn't have any problems switching over IMO. GL.

 

[twilliard]

Yup make the change slowly and you will be fine

 

[ksc]

Don't worry, if your corals are using all those trace elements in the HW salt, they are used to them fluctuating between water changes. Corals go from tank to tank all the time and the different salts don't seem to effect them. If you are worried, you could mix the 2 together for a few water changes.

 

[Davy Jones]

Thanks for the replies! I'm a little less concerned with switching salts now haha

 

[Salsa777]

Thanks for posting this question, I am considering making a switch too, this helped me answer my question.

 

[Davy Jones]

No problem! My only concern is if the salt mix isn't all that important in terms of which one you use... why does someone buy salt at higher costs? I.e. tropic marin at $100+ a bucket. Hw marine mix at $ 100 a box. Aquaforest at $85 a bucket.

My thing is does it really make a difference which you use? Should I expect healthier coral and better results from using a more expensive salt? If so I'll stick with it and pay the premium so long as I am getting something out of the extra money I'm spending

 

[BigJohnny]

No problem! My only concern is if the salt mix isn't all that important in terms of which one you use... why does someone buy salt at higher costs? I.e. tropic marin at $100+ a bucket. Hw marine mix at $ 100 a box. Aquaforest at $85 a bucket.

My thing is does it really make a difference which you use? Should I expect healthier coral and better results from using a more expensive salt? If so I'll stick with it and pay the premium so long as I am getting something out of the extra money I'm spending

Where on earth are you buying your salt?! I use hw marinemix reefer (love it btw, used to run red sea blue) and I pay 75 not 100+. Get it from BRS

 

[Waxhaw reefer]

I used that before nice levels but always left my water cloudy, I use brightwells neo marine, cheaper, makes more for the money and always mixes clear, I do mix for a few hours, not sure if necessary but no problems! Pretty constant levels of alk and cal!

 

[BigJohnny]

I used that before nice levels but always left my water cloudy, I use brightwells neo marine, cheaper, makes more for the money and always mixes clear, I do mix for a few hours, not sure if necessary but no problems! Pretty constant levels of alk and cal!

The cloudy water was due to the way you were mixing it, not the salt.

 

[Davy Jones]

Where on earth are you buying your salt?! I use hw marinemix reefer (love it btw, used to run red sea blue) and I pay 75 not 100+. Get it from BRS

I was buying it locally, but i will definitely be buying it from them from now on. I guess ill probably stick with it for now since its doing well and i can save 25 a box by going to brs. If i switch my next would be Red sea blue or Aquaforest reef salt (not the expensive probiotic stuff) or seachem salinity.

 

[reeferfoxx]

No problem! My only concern is if the salt mix isn't all that important in terms of which one you use... why does someone buy salt at higher costs? I.e. tropic marin at $100+ a bucket. Hw marine mix at $ 100 a box. Aquaforest at $85 a bucket.

My thing is does it really make a difference which you use? Should I expect healthier coral and better results from using a more expensive salt? If so I'll stick with it and pay the premium so long as I am getting something out of the extra money I'm spending

Some would argue that it's only expensive because of shipping costs and import fees etc etc. However, if you look into the different salts, and their reviews, you'll notice comments about parameters, ease of use, mixing times, clarity, and (in)consistencies.

 

[Opus]

Also watch DFS for their sales on salt. Last year I picked up 2 200gal buckets of Tropic Marin for $60 each with free shipping.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Also watch DFS for their sales on salt. Last year I picked up 2 200gal buckets of Tropic Marin for $60 each with free shipping.

Is that the pro reef or regular salt?

 

[Opus]

Is that the pro reef or regular salt?

It was the regular.

 

[Waxhaw reefer]

The cloudy water was due to the way you were mixing it, not the salt.

I've only been in the hobby for three years , used a few different salts, Red Sea, hw reefers, EVS, brightwells, water in container, pump , heater , then salt, don't know how i could have done it wrong, I think I can blame the batch of salt!!

 

[nitro]

I know it is expensive but I really like the HW salt. I mix mine up and it is crystal clear and ready to go in 20-30 min. I am going to stay with it as long as I can afford to. Just one small issue in a reef tank could cost way more than a bag of salt.
Nitro