which salt to use

Saltwater_Reefing · Dec 27, 2023

Hey, y'all I know the debate on which salt to use is a big one!
I am looking for a salt that isn't hard to mix or one that doesn't take 24 hours and that I can store for a few weeks. I have a Fluval Evo 13.5 gallon with the stock light. I just purchased all Salifert tests so I can leave API behind. At some point I wouldn't mind making the change to Hanna but it just isn't in the budget right now. I am trying to change things slowly and so I can get stability before trying to make any purchases of coral. I want softies and a few lps corals like the hammers or frog spawn. I plan to upgrade the light before I get the corals since the stock can manage but it doesn't make them pop like the Kessel or ai prime. Now I said all that to finish my point I have had my tank for over a year now and I have made tones of mistakes that were costly and I want to get everything right. I got an ato for Christmas and I just really want to get on track and have a successful little piece of the reef to enjoy !

Saltwater_Reefing · Dec 27, 2023

sorry for so much to read

CK00020 · Dec 27, 2023

For something small I would say tm pro reef because it mixes fast and clean. There will be many other opinions and they all have merit

TangerineSpeedo · Dec 27, 2023

Instant ocean should be fine, for what your planning. When you get more needy corals you can upgrade to Brightwell or Tropic Marin

JZ199 · Dec 27, 2023

I have 0 complaints about instant ocean reef crystals. Most modern salts are all quality options. Do you plan on storing it in a container that keeps the water circulating?

Saltwater_Reefing · Dec 27, 2023

JZ199 said:
I have 0 complaints about instant ocean reef crystals. Most modern salts are all quality options. Do you plan on storing it in a container that keeps the water circulating?

no. I mix it in a 5-gallon home depo bucket and I have 1-gallon jugs I can store it in. I do a 2-gallon weekly water change.

Saltwater_Reefing · Dec 27, 2023

JZ199 said:
I have 0 complaints about instant ocean reef crystals. Most modern salts are all quality options. Do you plan on storing it in a container that keeps the water circulating?

I have a rodi unit from amazon and it's supposed to make 75 gallon in a day but I don't know if I don't have enough pressure going into the machine butt it takes like 2 hours to make 5 gallons so I make 5 gallons of saltwater so I don't have to make it every week.

Saltwater_Reefing · Dec 27, 2023

CK00020 said:
For something small I would say tm pro reef because it mixes fast and clean. There will be many other opinions and they all have merit

does it mix quick?

sfin52 · Dec 27, 2023

Pic a salt that you can easily obtain. Nothing worse than having an emergency and can't get your hands on your brand of salt.

Each brand of salt will get your desired results.

sfin52 · Dec 27, 2023

FrostyWriter021 said:
does it mix quick?

I can get IO and reef crystals clear in about 2 hours in a 5g bucket.

Marineland 1200 pump.

Roli's Reef Ranch · Dec 27, 2023

FrostyWriter021 said:
Hey, y'all I know the debate on which salt to use is a big one!
I am looking for a salt that isn't hard to mix or one that doesn't take 24 hours and that I can store for a few weeks. I have a Fluval Evo 13.5 gallon with the stock light. I just purchased all Salifert tests so I can leave API behind. At some point I wouldn't mind making the change to Hanna but it just isn't in the budget right now. I am trying to change things slowly and so I can get stability before trying to make any purchases of coral. I want softies and a few lps corals like the hammers or frog spawn. I plan to upgrade the light before I get the corals since the stock can manage but it doesn't make them pop like the Kessel or ai prime. Now I said all that to finish my point I have had my tank for over a year now and I have made tones of mistakes that were costly and I want to get everything right. I got an ato for Christmas and I just really want to get on track and have a successful little piece of the reef to enjoy !

Whatever fits your desired parameters and budget. I've used a half dozen brands over the years, and as long as it's not tainted (Turkish Blend, and another brand starting with and A, ending in an O, you'll be fine. I buy salt. Let it sit around 6 months, then use it if I don't hear about it killing anyones tank on here. LOL

mrpontiac80 · Dec 27, 2023

I’ve always used Fritz RPM blue. It’s on the lower cost end compared to some and it mixes in 30 min clear and I store it for weeks while being circulated.

Saltwater_Reefing · Dec 27, 2023

Roli's Reef Ranch said:
Whatever fits your desired parameters and budget. I've used a half dozen brands over the years, and as long as it's not tainted (Turkish Blend, and another brand starting with and A, ending in an O, you'll be fine. I buy salt. Let it sit around 6 months, then use it if I don't hear about it killing anyones tank on here. LOL

what is Turkish blend?

mrpontiac80 · Dec 27, 2023

FrostyWriter021 said:
what is Turkish blend?

I believe Tropic Marin had a plant in turkey and Germany. The one in Turkey released some salt that consumers determined was faulty or not up to standards. I THINK the Turkey plant has been closed. But all that is just what I recall reading here. I’ve never used TM salts.

Saltwater_Reefing · Dec 27, 2023

mrpontiac80 said:
I’ve always used Fritz RPM blue. It’s on the lower cost end compared to some and it mixes in 30 min clear and I store it for weeks while being circulated.

where can you purchase it?

Saltwater_Reefing · Dec 27, 2023

TangerineSpeedo said:
Instant ocean should be fine, for what your planning. When you get more needy corals you can upgrade to Brightwell or Tropic Marin

what would be a decent light to get as an upgrade I do know that my Fluval stock light can grow a hammer but I would like something that gives more of an appealing look. I have thought of the Kessel as well.

mrpontiac80 · Dec 27, 2023

FrostyWriter021 said:
where can you purchase it?

I can get it local at my LFS and also saltwateraquarium.com

Js.Aqua.Project · Dec 27, 2023

As you already alluded to, the salt debate is a big one.

You are going to have your IO/RC is good enough for X Aquarium therefore it is good enough for me people. You are also going to have people that suggest what they use because their experiences thus far are promising.

If you are really looking for a new salt here is what I recommend doing:

Find a salt with parameters as close to what you want to maintain as possible
Make sure said salt is going to be easy to obtain long term
Match any future dosing to the salt you chose

Personal recommendation:
I have used a variety of different salts in different systems over the years. I have never had an issue with either Red Sea Salt. IO/RC can take forever to mix sometimes, Fritz is ok but I found the Alk to sometimes be inconsistent from batch-to-batch, Aquaforest mixed up quick but I found it to be too expensive, then HW-marinemix wasn't always easy to get.