Whatis considered the best salt?

[Darksidevenom6]

Good afternoon guys and gals, I'm just getting into this hobby and would like to know what is considered the best salt to use?

 

[Stephen8169301]

Good afternoon guys and gals, I'm just getting into this hobby and would like to know what is considered the best salt to use?

Everyone will have different answers to what works best but are looking for corals or FOWLR tank

 

[ryanjohn1]

That’s like asking grandma who’s her favorite grand kid

 

[homer1475]

Whatever salt you can afford, and mixes to the parameters you are looking to keep.


Among the major brands, salt is salt.

 

[ScubaFish802]

As above everyone has a different opinion. I know that a large number of people have exceptional reef tanks using instant ocean. I also know it can make my mixing station dirty. It's cheap, it works - good enough for me lol

 

[KStatefan]

add to @homer1475 list and is readily available to you

 

[ryanjohn1]

For me. I’ve used Red Sea coral pro and I won’t be switching anytime in the foreseeable future.

 

[Dbichler]

IO and Red Sea blue bucket for me I switch between both

 

[flashsmith]

If you're running a small system you could go with one of the premium brands as cost won't be such an issue over time. I use reef crystals. I run 2 big tanks so cost is way better on that end but I've used the high end stuff I don't think my corals ever noticed a difference. Just my opinion but on a small system you would benefit by running a premium salt and you could be successful by doing small weekly water changes without dosing. But on larger mature tanks dosing is essential as water changes will have a hard time keeping up with essential nutrients. So I don't think the brand matters as much at that point. Thus I opt for the cheaper reef crystals.

 

[Hemmdog]

Tropic marin pro IMO.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I started with and continue to use Fritz rpm pro blue box. I like the parameters, it mixes fast and clean. And a lot of lfs carry it at least in my area

 

[BlueFynn_Ian]

Use Instant Ocean for 400g FOWLR (Fish Only with Live Rock) and Red Sea Coral Pro for 90g mixed reef.

 

[mike550]

I use Tropic Marin Pro. Probably one of the more expensive salts / gallon but that doesn’t mean it’s best for you. Really depends on your needs

 

[mrpontiac80]

I think the biggest thing is finding the parameters you want to keep so that you don’t have to adjust everything when you do water changes. For me personally I keep my alk at 8.6, calcium about 420 and magnesium at around 1440 with salinity at 1.025

 

[bushdoc]

The answer is the same as to question what is the best car? That depends if you are soccer mom, contractor, university student. You got the idea.
I suggest researching what parameters, especially dKH you want to have in your tank and choose salt which would have similar parameters.
There are people running their tanks with dKH of 7 and there are those who prefer dKH 13 and there are salts for both of them. Rest of us likes parameters somewhere in the middle and there are salts for us too. Other factor is availability.Are you gonna buy your salt online or at LFS?
The best salt for experienced reefers may not necessarily be prime option for you, especially those with name “Pro”.

 

[Darksidevenom6]

As above everyone has a different opinion. I know that a large number of people have exceptional reef tanks using instant ocean. I also know it can make my mixing station dirty. It's cheap, it works - good enough for me lol

Thank you, I know its a bit of an open ended question but if a tally of a similar answer occurs with people having luck with the same salt I could start there.
Your answer is greatly appreciated

 

[Darksidevenom6]

If you're running a small system you could go with one of the premium brands as cost won't be such an issue over time. I use reef crystals. I run 2 big tanks so cost is way better on that end but I've used the high end stuff I don't think my corals ever noticed a difference. Just my opinion but on a small system you would benefit by running a premium salt and you could be successful by doing small weekly water changes without dosing. But on larger mature tanks dosing is essential as water changes will have a hard time keeping up with essential nutrients. So I don't think the brand matters as much at that point. Thus I opt for the cheaper reef crystals.

Thank you for the Knowledge, that actually makes a lot of sense in the decision as with what another reefer said. I'm basically just making sure parameters are on point the salt has no real large bearing.
Thank you

 

[Darksidevenom6]

Use Instant Ocean for 400g FOWLR (Fish Only with Live Rock) and Red Sea Coral Pro for 90g mixed reef.

Instant Ocean seems to be a staple among most from what im hearing

 

[BlueFynn_Ian]

Instant Ocean seems to be a staple among most from what im hearing

It's very cost efficient and consistent. Mixes a little dirty at times if you are really stirring and aerating it but a submersed pump in a 5 gallon bucket mixes it pretty quickly and cleanly. I use it for the larger tank as it saves me some $$ and I don't overly care what its levels are for calcium, alk, etc.

I use the coral pro in my smaller reef cause I am able to maintain a lot of the important parameters with water changes and save some money on dosing supplements.

Like others have said, it all depends on what you want your setup to be and what your goals are for parameter levels.

 

[slythy]

I recently switched from red sea blue bucket to fritz blue. I like my alk around 8 cal 450 and mag 1400ish.

it cost a decent bit to change my redseas 1280 mag to 1400 every time.

no salt is hands down better than others. Just find one that has parameters close to what you need.