Thinking about changing salt mix..

ShawnSaucier · May 1, 2014

So some one posted a question to me that I couldn't really answer.. Why are you using the cheapest salt out there with your system? This prompted a discussion about calcium and false readings, nutrient export, ect....
Have you noticed a difference with a more expensive salt? Which would you recommend for a mixed reef? Does this salt type effect your dosing and in what way?

beaslbob · May 1, 2014

ShawnSaucier said:
So some one posted a question to me that I couldn't really answer.. Why are you using the cheapest salt out there with your system? This prompted a discussion about calcium and false readings, nutrient export, ect....
Have you noticed a difference with a more expensive salt? Which would you recommend for a mixed reef? Does this salt type effect your dosing and in what way?

My recommandation is to buy the cheapist salt and then use the diy 2 part. And also use macro algaes to balance and stabilize the system.

But that's just my .02

redfishbluefish · May 1, 2014

My answer to that question is, "Because it works just fine." Or if I was sassy, I'd say, "Why are you wasting money on over-priced salt."

I started my tank with what I now call the "super salts." What I found was that my alk and/or calc would spike on a water change and then within a day or so would be back to where I wanted it. I eventually switched to Instant Ocean with a little mix of Reef Crystals, and now when I do a water change, my alk and calc remain relatively constant. Instant Ocean is ocean water, as far as the chemistry, and that is what I want to replace when doing a water change. I should mention that I dose using dosing pumps three times a day to maintain alk and calc.

I'm happy with my inexpensive Instant Ocean because it works just fine for me.

backpack · May 1, 2014

Red Sea dissolves a little faster but in the end buy whatever is cheaper if you rely on wc for nutrient export and chemistry stability. If you dose stuff why not try others. The ionic stuff is a pain and I would not recommend somthing super complex unless you just want to mix several parts to make your water.

Jonreefer · May 1, 2014

I like my Red Sea coral pro. Dissolves super fast and leaves no residue and has good parameter numbers when mixed up

mike007 · May 1, 2014

I will have to disagree why spend hundreds of dollars on fish and corals and use a cheap salt? I don't see saving that much on a cheaper salt versus the good stuff. Personally I have spent thousands of dollars on corals and I want the to have the best I can get. There is a lot more to salt mixes besides calcium and alkalinity.

Daniel@R2R · May 1, 2014

I use reef crystals. I've never had any issues with it (tried Kent once and did not have good results...probably due more to the change than a problem with their salt). If DrsF&S use it, and lots of other reefers I respect use it, I see no reason to pay for a more expensive salt. My advice is use whatever works.

mike007 · May 1, 2014

I started using Tropic marin bioactive salt a few months ago and so far I really like the results. It dissolves very fast and water Is very clear. I have used about every salt mix over the years and this one is the best so far. Corals are showing good growth and color.

Masgatigata · May 1, 2014

mike007 said:
I started using Tropic marin bioactive salt a few months ago and so far I really like the results. It dissolves very fast and water Is very clear. I have used about every salt mix over the years and this one is the best so far. Corals are showing good growth and color.

+1!

b_rad_G · May 1, 2014

I use instant ocean. Its the most proven salt. It mixes perfect on all for my tank (8.4 or so) and a hair low on ca. It is easy enough to add a bit of ca after you mix (I think its 5 tsp to bring it up to 430).

Anyone that says expensive salt is better is just t******* their chest. If its better prove it! I can promise mixing to 10-11 dkh isn't better for me! I mean sure if you want to run your tank at the 550 ca 12 dkh and 1600 that red sea mixes at then its great. I just pulled those numbers from the air....I just know it mixes high.

I am in no way saying red sea is bad it just doesn't have what I need.

mike007 · May 1, 2014

Every reefer has their own opinion and whatever works for you that's great.

Surfintx2004 · May 1, 2014

I've been using Instant Ocean for 2 years. I get steady readings every time but I will note my ca and mg levels are just shy from perfect parameters.. like other have said "just dose it"

ReeferEric · May 2, 2014

I've used about all of it. Currently have two buckets of RSCP and 4 200g boxes of RC salts. I've had good results with RSCP because the levels are spot on with what I keep the tank. RC the alkalinity is a little high but works ok for me, it was free after all.

I mix 90g at a time so when I mix RSCP it takes a little longer to do. Add too much at once and it gets cloudy so I have it to do it slowly. I do this now with all salts as a practice, always comes out crystal clear now.

andybuja · May 2, 2014

Red Sea Coral Pro if you are using RODI water. - then I add buffer weekly to maintain 8-9 kh in between water changes. My reef consumes the alkalinity very quickly. Auto top off with Kalkwasser and magnesium.

BryanD · May 2, 2014

Been using Instant Ocean or Reef Crystals for over 20 years, never had a problem related to salt mix. I started with Reef Crystals, switched to Instant Ocean for awhile when I didn't have much more than fish and some 'shrooms in my tank, then went back to Reef Crystals when I got back into the LPS corals (with a couple SPS). Unless its for a specific biotope like Red Sea, don't see any reason to pay a lot for salt, better to stick with a company who has been around for awhile and has a good track record.

mcarroll · May 2, 2014

ShawnSaucier said:
So some one posted a question to me that I couldn't really answer.. Why are you using the cheapest salt out there with your system? This prompted a discussion about calcium and false readings, nutrient export, ect....
Have you noticed a difference with a more expensive salt? Which would you recommend for a mixed reef? Does this salt type effect your dosing and in what way?

As far as expensive...I think that's relative. What should be in question is value and effectiveness. I think you have to consider the things that make up the cost of salt. If it's an import, you know they are paying a lot to have it brought here...which of course will be reflected in the cost. The added cost in this case doesn't help it score well in terms of value or effectiveness though.

As far as cheap, a salt made here in Ohio, Pennsylvania or Maryland doesn't have to be expensive to be made of top notch ingredients and composed with a top notch formulation.

As far as what's best....that's a far more nebulous question. Aside from store-brand salts, I don't think I would question many salts on the market in terms of basic functionality. The formula for basic artificial saltwater is very old and well-known. What you have to question is whether a particular formulation is what you want for your tank or not. Some are very NSW-like (i.e. plain, "low" numbers), others have extremely enriched formulas, many (like Instant Ocean and Reef Crystals) are balanced somewhere in the middle. Any could be "perfect" for your tank, in theory, depending on what your tank is like and how you run it.

I do wish it was easier to compare salts, but facts about how they "should" mix are always lacking....the best we have is the salt-testing post in that other forums chemistry section. It's very much better than nothing, but getting pretty long in the tooth and is based on (lots of) user testing.

My most common recommendation is to start with Instant Ocean, or whatever basic salt your local shop carries. (Being able to get some on short notice is perhaps the best value a salt mix can have.

) Upgrade to Reef Crystals if you decide to keep stony corals and when the time is right. (As needed.)

$0.02

-Matt