Which Salt?

[underwaterdan]

I am about to fill my tank for the first time and I see a lot of different salt choices. it will be a mixed reef rank but probably won't add corals for then first few months. Is there a salt everyone prefers, or is it pretty much the same? which salt should I get?
My tank is 150 gallons with a 40 gallon sump.
Thanks

 

[redfishbluefish]

If I'm not mistaken, the number one salt is Instant Ocean.

However, I've found that people believe in their particular brand of salt as being the best, similar to how folks look at tomato sauce. You like a particular sauce because that's what you were raised on.

Although I was raised on Reef Crystals, I've switched to Instant Ocean because of the high alk/calc of RC. I'm a doser and Instant Ocean works best for me.

 

[underwaterdan]

Can I start with instant ocean and change salts later? Or is it pick one and stick with it for the life of the tank?

 

[redfishbluefish]

No problem changing salts. It's done all the time. Just need to adjust alk, calc and mag if need be when making the switch.

 

[underwaterdan]

Great, instant ocean is the cheapest and 190 gallons is a lot to mix so I will order it from amazon now!

 

[redfishbluefish]

Might also wish to check Dr. Fosters and Smith....I think two boxes includes free shipping.

 

[BryanS4]

Although I was raised on Reef Crystals, I've switched to Instant Ocean because of the high alk/calc of RC. I'm a doser and Instant Ocean works best for me.

This is my exact scenario as well.

 

[Kaba]

Reef crystals is $50 for a 200 gallon box on Amazon with prime shipping... Can't beat that.

 

[vladimir4076]

Red Sea coral pro little Moore expensive but worth it

 

[SaltyBiker]

I'm a reef crystals and instant ocean fan. As mentioned above it depends on what you want in your salt. Starting out you should go with instant ocean until you have a tank stocked with coral then if you desire you can switch to reef crystals with its higher level of Cal/Alk. Or there is nothing wrong with staying with instant ocean and dosing a little more. Both are fantastic product lines. Been using them for over 10 years.

 

[reef jacob]

I disagree because now since instant is made in china its quality has gone down hile so I prefer red sea pro salt or salinity made by aqua vitro but don't get me wrong that's just my prefered salt.

 

[TomatoSauceTy]

Just because something went Chinese doesn't mean it went downhill... There are plenty of good products from China ie LEDs. I will forever use Instant ocean even though I'm an LPS only guy and things may be based on deals etc, but there is a reason commercial based companies use IO and still have high quality fish/coral.

Why the hell would someone buy a company be it IO or Pirelli tires just to let the quality drop and lose business aka your investment.

 

[reefsquared]

I use red sea coral pro I think it's great

 

[TomatoSauceTy]

I use red sea coral pro I think it's great

Sorry but it's the way you posted that I will point you out...

You think it's great or IS it great? What proof do you have of this? What other documented salts have you used compared to this?

Not trying to pick on you, just saying broad statements are...broad.

I've triedBrightwell before with nothing spectacular...*no documents * and I've used IO with weekly water changed on a smaller tank with amazing results...

What I'm trying to say is that A LOT of reef keeping has to do with trial and error. You can use the cheapest salt, do weekly water changes and get x result, or use a super high end brand with monthly water changes and get the same exact thing...OR it's a giant mix up...It's a tough thing to decide just like lights.

____

What kind of corals do you want, how often do you want to do water changes, and are you dosing?
These should be your main thoughts on deciding on which salt.

I use Instant ocean, 15g water changes a week on a 50g tank with 2 preds, and LPS only corals.



What I'm trying to say is...don't post what salt you use and that's it...post what your tank is, how often you do water changes, how heavily is your tank stocked, do you dose etc...all these things matter.

 

[Midrats]

When did IO go to China? What a shame.

 

[Riddler05]

I agree that different things work for different people and there are a lot of great tanks running cheap salt, however I find that red sea coral pro works best for me. I havent tested a bunch of different salts I just found one I liked and stuck with it. In my experience with keeping corals, which is only a couple of years, stability is the most important thing. Just my 2 cents.

 

[TomatoSauceTy]

I agree that different things work for different people and there are a lot of great tanks running cheap salt, however I find that red sea coral pro works best for me. I havent tested a bunch of different salts I just found one I liked and stuck with it. In my experience with keeping corals, which is only a couple of years, stability is the most important thing. Just my 2 cents.

Consistency is by far the greatest factor.

 

[TomatoSauceTy]

When did IO go to China? What a shame.

Why is that bad? How many of the things you buy in your life are from China?

Sorry to tell you this but a TON of elements for chemistry use come from China...and unfortunately there was a massive explosion from one, but to use China as a general rule of bad is wrong.

 

[jpines]

Personal opinion only here---as I've used IO and Reef crystals on my prior tank, and I'm currently using red sea coral pro (and will begin mixing it with regular red sea salt). I like red sea salt because it mixes much cleaner/no residue left in the bottom of the container. It also is mixed and ready to be used in 2 hours. Like others have stated, I think you can have a successful reef tank with which ever brand you choose. Just be consistent with your maintenance schedule.

 

[yellojello]

Instant Ocean from Dr. Foster Smith. Sometimes they have extra discounts, gift certificates, free t-shirt in addition to low price and free shipping.

I bring down the Alk with Muratic Acid, and increase Ca and Mag with dosing. I haven't used any other salt, but it's been working for my SPS just fine for many years.

Most will say Instant Ocean is also the cheapest solution, which is a plus.