Which Salt is the best?

[Chuk]

I used to use Tropic Marin Pro Reef and switched to red sea black bucket because of the cost. I like the red sea but it dissolved much slower than tropic marin and if I'm not careful it give my tank a decent alk swing after my weekly 10-15% water change. I have to adjust my dosing on the day I do the change to avoid and alk spike. Otherwise no issues with either salt.

 

[saltyhog]

I dont think there is a single "best" salt mix. I would choose the one that most closely approximates your targeted parameters. I agree that absence of organics is a big plus for me.

 

[Dolney36]

Ive made the switch from IO to Tropic marin and I am not complaining. One of the best switches ive made to the tank imo

 

[John3]

Not to derail but does anyone have a salt they are using right now that you think doesn’t dissolve well? I only ask because I have read complaints on this issue with reef crystals but I am not seeing that in the batch I have. I’m fully dissolved and water clear in about 10-15 mins. I do stir it with a big spoon for 5 mins and I am also only making 4 gallons.

 

[maroun.c]

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).

What would happen if one stored New saltwater with a salt that has organics for a week or so before doing the water change?

 

[Mick1of10]

I use HW Marine Reef. Very consistent, if a little expensive.

 

[madweazl]

Not to derail but does anyone have a salt they are using right now that you think doesn’t dissolve well? I only ask because I have read complaints on this issue with reef crystals but I am not seeing that in the batch I have. I’m fully dissolved and water clear in about 10-15 mins. I do stir it with a big spoon for 5 mins and I am also only making 4 gallons.

I don't think I've seen anyone comment on how quickly it dissolves (which is literally almost instantly) but it certainly doesn't clear up in 10-15 minutes. Clear water takes a good five hours of constant mixing with a pump for IO and RC. One thing I did like about the LiveAquaria salt was that it truly was crystal clear after about 11 minutes (calcium and magnesium levels were just far higher than IO so I didn't use any after the initial batch).

 

[John3]

I’m mixing the rc in a small 5g white trashcan. It normally appears clear to me in 10-15 mins. There is certainly no cloudiness to it and I can see the bottom like it’s clear. I’m not looking through the side. Guess I should try mixing in something else I can look through from the side to make sure.

 

[Alejandro palomares]

I’ve been using fritz RPM for the last 6 months mixes really fast and leaves no residue. Usually after mixing I obtain 8.2alk and 420ppm calcium

 

[PghReef]

I'm definitely in the minority here but I've always used corallife salt. Always was a good price and dissolved almost instantly. Id make 15 gallon batches at 1.025 and they'd be clear within 5 or 10 minutes. Also had awesome coralline algae growth and good coral growth, my purple stylo grew into a jungle.

 

[Kaz Reefer 57]

What about Seachem's salt mix has anyone used theirs

 

[HippieSmell]

Not to derail but does anyone have a salt they are using right now that you think doesn’t dissolve well? I only ask because I have read complaints on this issue with reef crystals but I am not seeing that in the batch I have. I’m fully dissolved and water clear in about 10-15 mins. I do stir it with a big spoon for 5 mins and I am also only making 4 gallons.

I mix up 100 gallons at a time and when I used RC, it would settle to the bottom and take hours of mixing with a powerhead to dissolve. Not really a huge deal, but much slower than LiveAquaria salt.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I have used many different salts and had success with a variety. Some of the nicest reefs I have seen have used the cheaper Instant Ocean salt and some of the nicest reefs I have seen used the more expensive salt.

 

[wattson]

Red Sea coral Pro salt,,I use it cause the bucket it comes in looks pretty cool..JK
I had no luck with IO products and switched to this because it is pretty good to my likings and it is readily available in my area..

 

[burtbollinger]

Fritz RPM is ideal for me.

 

[Sea MunnKey]

A local hard core sps reefer switched to AquaForest and that was the end of his collections and system ....

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What would happen if one stored New saltwater with a salt that has organics for a week or so before doing the water change?

Bacteria might consume the organics. I doubt the organics do anything useful, but if they did, they might disappear and you'd lost the effect.

Also, if you do not stir/aerate such a mix, it might become anaerobic as bacteria consume the organics and use O2 in the process.

 

[Potatohead]

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).

Definitely some truth to this. I had been using Seachem Reef for a couple years and they discontinued it. Switched to H2Ocean and even with a slow transition, some corals were not happy.

What about Seachem's salt mix has anyone used theirs

I liked the previous one but the new Vibrant Sea is very high in potassium, high potassium is actually not good for corals, so I am not really sure why they did that. If you like the Seachem brand maybe try AquaVitro Salinity.

 

[Iam.Will]

Using Red Sea Pro. Started buying the large commercial bag (200gal) I noticed my Mag levels are higher than using it out of the buckets. About 1500ppm. Everything doing great.

 

[Sweet Chicken]

Wow, not one person mentioned Kent. Top notch if you ask me.