Tried 3 salts so far (IO, TM & Brightwell)

[KnightlyBuzz]

I’m new (~ 9 months), but I’ve tried 3 salts so far...
• IO reef salt (tested and found copper, 0.1 - 0.2 ppm, a little residue but not near as much as NeoMarine)
• Brightwell NeoMarine (no detectable copper, but lots of brown residue on trashcan and equipment)
• Tropic Marin Pro Reef (no residue, but copper @ 0.1 - 0.2 ppm)

I like how the TM salt mixes quickly and has no brown residue, but isn’t copper bad for snails and corals in even small quantities? Could it be that I got a “bad bucket”?

 

[KnightlyBuzz]

Neglected to mention I’m using a Hanna copper checker.

 

[Rick.45cal]

That Copper HR (High Range) checker is giving you false readings. It’s not accurate at the tiny amounts that are in those salt mixes, and yes, copper is present in trace amounts in seawater. You’re safe to use any of those salts with invertebrates and corals. Dr Randy Holmes Farley has addressed this in the Chemistry forum just FYI .

 

[KnightlyBuzz]

Whew, good deal thanks! Thought I’d screwed up and poisoned my tank.

P.S. Yeah, sorry I should have checked for existing post first.

 

[JohnnyBeagle]

I like Red Sea blue bucket

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m new (~ 9 months), but I’ve tried 3 salts so far...
• IO reef salt (tested and found copper, 0.1 - 0.2 ppm, a little residue but not near as much as NeoMarine)
• Brightwell NeoMarine (no detectable copper, but lots of brown residue on trashcan and equipment)
• Tropic Marin Pro Reef (no residue, but copper @ 0.1 - 0.2 ppm)

I like how the TM salt mixes quickly and has no brown residue, but isn’t copper bad for snails and corals in even small quantities? Could it be that I got a “bad bucket”?

As noted above, The IO was not a source of that level of copper. There is no brand name salt mix that provides that level of copper.

If you tested it with the Hanna checker, it is not accurate at those levels. Use it only for medication levels of copper.

 

[KnightlyBuzz]

Will do, thanks Randy. Sorry for repeating a question already covered on forum, I just didn’t check before I posted.

JohnnyBeagle... Yeah, I’ve come close to trying Blue Bucket, especially since I think that’s what I think BRS uses. I like that the alk is 8.0 (my target) without any adjusting.

 

[AcanthurusRex]

BRS claims to use TM now. There is nothing bad about RSBB except the amount of desert that accumulates in the mixing container.