What Salt Mix are you using in your reef?

[Mitch]

I use Kent reef salt.

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[nanoman28g]

How much more expensive is reef crystals than IO? I see that many people use it here. I can get a 55-60 gal salt mix bag of IO here at the LFS for $15.99 + tax.

 

[nanoman28g]

How much more expensive is reef crystals than IO? I see that many people use it here. I can get a 55-60 gal salt mix bag of IO here at the LFS for $15.99 + tax.

To answer my own question, I researched RC and noticed that it's not that much more expensive than IO(at least online) and that it's the same company.

 

[PolandSpring]

I used tropic marin pro since i started my tank 2.5 yeRs ago. I just recently switched to red sea pro and i see a little difference in growth and more constant levels along with less to no algae. But its still hard to see a difference. What do people look for when they change salts? Where do people notice the differences?

 

[Chameleon]

just switched back to IO after a few years of reef crystals...they both work great

 

[dwilliams87]

I use the reef crystals. I used RC for 6 months with no issues and decided to move "up" to Salinity by Aquavitro. Without bashing them, I began using RC again within a month.

 

[reef_ranch]

ESV for the last 3 years. Love it.

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[shred5]

I use mostly what I get free...
I amy have too many tanks for that anymore though.

 

[BobbyWade]

Been using tropic Marin pro salt since the company started I've used just about every brand out there by far this is my favorite mixes well numbers are good my second choice would be Kent reef



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[Get Hooked]

I like ESV for one main reason - while it is a 4 part process, the calcium is liquid. Calcium is what takes the longest to dissolve in the water from what I have read. I pour all four parts into a 5 Gallon container and "manually" shake it and then I pour it straight into tank. From components to in the tank in under 5 minutes per 5 gallons - no 24 hour mix time needed.

 

[DragKnee]

ESV

Love the results. I don't dose the tank anymore

 

[slojmn]

I have tried a lot of different salt brands over the last 18+ years. Finally found one I will stick with, I love the ESV salt system. It is super easy to mix up, mixes clear every time within 15 minutes, spot on readings. It is a bit more expensive but my piece of mind since I started using this is priceless!! I have done 50% water change twice in 4 days to dilute a vinegar overdose. Fish and corals didn't even miss a beat. I only lost one Zoa colony through the whole incident. I think the stable nature of this salt has led to my tank looking the best it ever has!!!

 

[Nuocmam]

I have tried a lot of different salt brands over the last 18+ years. Finally found one I will stick with, I love the ESV salt system. It is super easy to mix up, mixes clear every time within 15 minutes, spot on readings. It is a bit more expensive but my piece of mind since I started using this is priceless!! I have done 50% water change twice in 4 days to dilute a vinegar overdose. Fish and corals didn't even miss a beat. I only lost one Zoa colony through the whole incident. I think the stable nature of this salt has led to my tank looking the best it ever has!!!

Wow! Coming from you that says a lot. I might have to look into this.

 

[Eienna]

For what it's worth, my skunk cleaner shrimp just molted for the third time since he's been with me, and seems to have come out perfectly. I'm currently using Instant Ocean. No element dosing except for the negligible addition of cal and mag from the Aiptasia-X solution.

 

[jayhawk]

I mix half Red Sea Pro and Red Sea regular. Alk is mid 9's, CA 430 ish, and Mg 1300 ish. Straight Pro is too much and straight regular is too little. Combined is just right. My only complaint is brown residue in the mixing container.

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

Hey guys!! I got some instant ocean for my 14 gallon biocube. My salinity level is just under 1.019 and I'm trying to get it to around 1.022. How much should I use of the instant ocean?? Thanks!! I only have a clown and some snails in my tank.

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

One more thing, can I adjust it all te way in one day or should I do it over time so I don't cause stress to the fish. Thanks!!

 

[Eienna]

One more thing, can I adjust it all te way in one day or should I do it over time so I don't cause stress to the fish. Thanks!!

A little at a time; otherwise, you could cause osmotic shock. I believe 2.5 cups per gallon of IO will give you 1.025. I would suggest mixing the new saltwater up to your desired salinity but only change maybe 1/4 of the water at a time, tops, over a few weeks until you reach the desired tank salinity.

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

Ok cool! Thanks! Should I do water changes to help get the salt level up? Or just io?

 

[Eienna]

Ok cool! Thanks! Should I do water changes to help get the salt level up? Or just io?

I would absolutely not add the salt straight to the aquarium. Just do your water changes, using new water mixed up to the salt level you want, and keep the changes small until your aquarium tests out at the same salinity as the new water you're changing with. Then you can go back to your regular change routine.