Thoughts on picking best salt mix??
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Skynyrd Fish
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Think about your target parameters and find a salt that matches. I’m using Red Sea blue bucket with a 30% mix of reef crystals. Because I like the lower dkh and I got a smoking deal on the reef crystals. So far my tank is responding well.
Most old schoolers started with and still use instant ocean or reef crystals. You really can’t pick a bad salt unless it doesn’t match you target dkh and other tank parameter goals.
Most old schoolers started with and still use instant ocean or reef crystals. You really can’t pick a bad salt unless it doesn’t match you target dkh and other tank parameter goals.
xxkenny90xx
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If you don't keep corals right now then regular instant ocean (or whatever is the cheapest) is definately the way to go
Instant Ocean because it's sale price blows away anything else. When it's on blowout get a years supply or more. Regular price it is still the cheapest but it's not significantly cheaper. However when you can get a box for say $35 it's worth putting up with higher alkalinity.
If you are unable or unwilling to store several boxes then maybe another brand is better for you. I certainly don't think it's the best but at the blowout price I make it work. Red Sea blue bucket is probably my favourite. If I had just a small tank I'd probably use a higher end salt.
If you are just using 1 box / bucket at a time you may consider a brand you can get locally in case you ever need it in an emergency.
If you are unable or unwilling to store several boxes then maybe another brand is better for you. I certainly don't think it's the best but at the blowout price I make it work. Red Sea blue bucket is probably my favourite. If I had just a small tank I'd probably use a higher end salt.
If you are just using 1 box / bucket at a time you may consider a brand you can get locally in case you ever need it in an emergency.
TheShrimpNibbler
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I use plain instant ocean, but I’m not a huge fan.
Triple.T
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BRS did a study of best salts on YouTube. You can find it by searching bulk reef supply,going to their channel and looking for the video labeled " Best salt mix 2019 " . Very helpful and useful information.
malacoda
Valuable Member
Any of the well known salt mixes -- Tropic Marin, Reef Crystals, Red Sea, NeoMarine, ESV, etc. etc. - will work just fine.
Just find one that A) fits your budget and B) is has the Alk, Ca, and Mg parameters you'd like to run for your tank and run with it.
For example, I have some alveopora in one of my tanks and it's one of my favorite corals. It doesn't like it when the alk gets above 9 and is happiest when it's between 6-8. So, while I've used other salts without a problem in the past, I chose Tropic Marin because mixes up between 7-8.
Just find one that A) fits your budget and B) is has the Alk, Ca, and Mg parameters you'd like to run for your tank and run with it.
For example, I have some alveopora in one of my tanks and it's one of my favorite corals. It doesn't like it when the alk gets above 9 and is happiest when it's between 6-8. So, while I've used other salts without a problem in the past, I chose Tropic Marin because mixes up between 7-8.
BeejReef
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Can't comment on quality or chemical properties that much.
I started out with HW Reefer and really loved it.
I switched to a blend of Instant Ocean and Instant Ocean Reef Crystals partially for the price, but mainly for the availability. Either will show up the next day with Amazon Prime. If I have a crisis, I know I can get it at the nearest store.
Those BRS salt videos are awesome. A fan of any particular salt can come away with something to feel good about. My takeaway regarding IO and IORC.. Mixes slower than most. Will leave more crud than most if not mixed and heated for 24-48 hours. If mixed well, pretty much stores better than almost any other and middle of the road in terms of crud and gunk.
I started out with HW Reefer and really loved it.
I switched to a blend of Instant Ocean and Instant Ocean Reef Crystals partially for the price, but mainly for the availability. Either will show up the next day with Amazon Prime. If I have a crisis, I know I can get it at the nearest store.
Those BRS salt videos are awesome. A fan of any particular salt can come away with something to feel good about. My takeaway regarding IO and IORC.. Mixes slower than most. Will leave more crud than most if not mixed and heated for 24-48 hours. If mixed well, pretty much stores better than almost any other and middle of the road in terms of crud and gunk.
Greybeard
2500 Club Member
Ain't no such thing.
There might well be a best salt FOR YOU... but every salt mix out there can show awesome tanks that use their salt. Watch the BRS videos, think about what's important to you, and pick one. Stick with it... change is bad.
I started with IO, that was the only thing around back in the 80's. Went to RC when it came out. Tried Fritz when my LFS started selling it... hated it, and went back to RC. Recently switched to HW Marine Mix, simply because it mixes up clean, and close to the values I want in my tank. Probably be using it for quite a while.
There might well be a best salt FOR YOU... but every salt mix out there can show awesome tanks that use their salt. Watch the BRS videos, think about what's important to you, and pick one. Stick with it... change is bad.
I started with IO, that was the only thing around back in the 80's. Went to RC when it came out. Tried Fritz when my LFS started selling it... hated it, and went back to RC. Recently switched to HW Marine Mix, simply because it mixes up clean, and close to the values I want in my tank. Probably be using it for quite a while.
