Tropic Marin Pro-Reef VS HW-Reefer

[ISFNick]

Hello all!

I've been running Tropic Marin Pro-Reef for a few months now.
Don't get me wrong, the salt is amazing. It would be perfect IF...
...the DKH wasn't 7.

That DKH is a little too low for comfort.
The DKH of HW-Reefer is around 9, a much more comfortable figure for me.
Should I make the switch? Is it worth it?

If anyone has used both please help me out!

 

[tstar]

I drank BRS's koolade on HW Reefer... I've been through three boxes of it so far and it's been very consistent!

No help at all in your decision I know. But wanted to tag this...

Tim

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Don't get me wrong, the salt is amazing. It would be perfect IF...
...the DKH wasn't 7.

That DKH is a little too low for comfort.

7 is the typical ocean surface value.
?

 

[tstar]

That's an excellent point Steve! Why do I shoot to maintain my Alk at 9 dKH???

Is it an insurance thing to prevent a dangerous swing in Alk??

Tim

 

[Topekoms]

I use Tropic Marin Pro also and I think you should just stick with it and run your tank closer to what the salt is. If you are not having issues in your aquarium there is no reason to switch

 

[Awesome Dennis]

I think it’s the bio-actif that has the higher alk. I think they recommend the proreef if your using a calcium reactor

 

[SDK]

I use TM Pro and just dose a set amount of Red Sea Alkalinity into the change water while it’s mixing to match my tank Alk. If you change a consistent amount of water, you do the testing/calculation once, then it’s a five second process after that.


I‘ve been doing this long enough to understand that any of the major brand salts can be fine, depending on your goals. I am however, not an early adopter when it comes to salt. I have a close to 30 year track record of zero drama with TM salts. I personally would not switch to a newer brand without compelling reasons...

 

[ISFNick]

That's an excellent point Steve! Why do I shoot to maintain my Alk at 9 dKH???

Is it an insurance thing to prevent a dangerous swing in Alk??

Tim

That’s exactly why, also there’s some evidence that suggests running higher alk increases the growth rate of coral if I’m not mistaken!

 

[NC Jim]

I cannot disagree with people who like Tropic Marin Pro, its a fantastic product. I personally use HW Reefer because I want that buffer zone in ALK between 7 and 11 DKH. SDK does not mind buying and dosing ALK so he is basically achieving the same thing. One step and cheaper price win out for me, not to mention availability. Consistency is my number one priority so I would probably not change salts if I had an established tank unless I had no choice. HW having amino acids can be looked at either way. It is a benefit to a reef tank I think that is pretty clear but HW does not say what dose nor give additional information so its really vague as to whether or not its a meaningful addition. HW has been making salt for 50 years so the time in the market place is irrelevant in this discussion. Both salts are proven long term options with a track record.