Which Salt is the best?

[Kaz Reefer 57]

I just ran out of my current salt mix and was thinking of switch from my current one RC. What do you guys use and which one is best in your a opinion.

 

[Robink]

I am currently using Fritz salt, no problems. If you're having good results I am a big fan of if it's not broke don't fix it.
I used RC on my previous tank and had no problems there either. Only switched when I moved and was setting up new tank. Had a company initially fill up my tank as I had no RO/DI unit set up, they use Fritz and recommended it.

 

[tankstudy]

You generally want to use a salt that has water parameters to your liking.

For example, I prefer sticking close to Natural Salt Water levels and so I use plain old Instant Ocean. While if you like high alk and etc, you can use Reef Crystals which generally has much higher alk.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

I ran with Instant Ocean for years and then switched to Fritz Pro. When I switched to Fritz my tank didn’t look as great and growth slowed. When I ran out of Fritz I went back to IO and things started to take off again!

Another benefit is that IO usually falls under PetSmart’s coupons/deals so I usually get a bucket with 15-20% off from time to time!!... good luck finding salt at a LFS on sale!

 

[John3]

I’m using Reef Crystals and pretty happy with it. Just make sure you consider the different parameters of a different salt since they could be far apart. I pretty much have my schedule down and know my dosing to stay stable between changes. Not that I couldn’t learn a new salt but it seems like a lot of added work just to try something different.

 

[Kaz Reefer 57]

I have a nano 20 gallon and I just want a salt that leaves less residue and dissolves quicker. Has anyone used Fritz RPM or Seachem Vibrant sea those are the ones my LFS recommend.

 

[ccerone]

I have used Fritz over a year now, mixes in 15 minutes with no brown crud like RC leaves. It is a powder and not granular.

 

[John3]

I haven’t dealt with the brown crud or leftover white residue that I see some people say they get with reef crystals. I’m just about finished my first bucket and have the next batch already. I hope it’s the same and those are past issues.

I also used a bucket of the AquaForest Reef salt and thought it was a good salt. I only switched because my lfs was out and I needed something that day. A friend has just finished up a bucket of AquaForest probiotic salt and the impression was that they saw no added benefit.

 

[719bloodhound]

I run Fritz also and I really like it

 

[cracker]

I use regular Red Sea salt . I like the levels of it & readily available for me.

 

[mjlash22]

Red Sea's normal salt. Used it for years, no complaints.

 

[Daltrey]

I've always used instant ocean but I'm switching over to Tropic Marine Pro on my new build to use with Triton core.

 

[madweazl]

I keep it simple with Instant Ocean; cheap, consistent, and widely available with no reason to change.

 

[lou dog420]

The best salt mix is any salt mix that you stick with and don't change.

 

[RussiReef]

I am happy with Red Sea Coral Pro salt. Using it for 5 years .

 

[HippieSmell]

I use LiveAquaria, which might be Fritz. I like how much better it mixes than reef crystals, and no brown crud. Plus, Foster's and Smith occasionally have great discounts. I stocked up huge on Black Friday!

 

[CoralReefer1019]

I use Fritz Pro mixes fast and no residue parameters are spot on

 

[nfrench2100]

Red Sea Coral Pro here. Used to use IO. I actually still have some IO sitting in the closet. RSCP mixes in about 15 mins and I love it

 

[Servillius]

I use Tropic Marin Pro Reef. Never let me down. After trying HW, I’m very impressed.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There may be ones that meet particular needs for your system and the other techniques use.

For me, normal IO was the best due to lack of organics (allowing long storage of new salt water) and lower calcium (since I used limewater which slowly raises calcium relative to alk).