Best Cheap Salt

Paulie7285 · 04/10/2012, 12:43 PM

Howdy, I'm sure this is a common newbie question, but I just ran out of my first bag of Instant Ocean Salt and am wondering what salt I should buy, and what is the cheapest way to get it. Amazon.com seems the cheapest so far.

mikebeth16 · 04/10/2012, 12:57 PM

Drs Fosters & Smith has a special now where they will ship for free if you order more than $50 worth. So just add something else cheap, like food, to get to $50. The 200lb box was like $48 last I saw for the Instant Ocean Reef Crystals, which seems like a pretty widely used salt. Regular IO is $9 cheaper.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4856

Paulie7285 · 04/10/2012, 12:58 PM

Oh, and I saw Coralife Salt at the Petland off of 40 and N, but I don't know if that's a good brand. 50 gallon bag was on sale for just $16.99 though. So, does anyone know if that's a good salt? Thanks.

chadfarmer · 04/10/2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie7285

Oh, and I saw Coralife Salt at the Petland off of 40 and N, but I don't know if that's a good brand. 50 gallon bag was on sale for just $16.99 though. So, does anyone know if that's a good salt? Thanks.

your best bet is to buy in the box and u will save money in the long haul

sbabs · 04/10/2012, 05:45 PM

Tropical World has 200 lb box of Coralife for 34.95. It is under 38.00 with tax. 09.50 for 50 lb bag when you break it down. Pretty cheap.

u4ick · 04/10/2012, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbabs

Tropical World has 200 lb box of Coralife for 34.95. It is under 38.00 with tax. 09.50 for 50 lb bag when you break it down. Pretty cheap.

Wow I would love to get 200 pounds of coralife salt for $35 bucks....

Still, that's $15 off everyone else's price if it happens to be just the regular 200 gal mix

Paulie7285 · 04/10/2012, 09:55 PM

Heh, how many gallons does 200 pounds make?!!?? So, do most people just get whatever salt is cheapest?

sbabs · 04/10/2012, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u4ick

Wow I would love to get 200 pounds of coralife salt for $35 bucks....

Still, that's $15 off everyone else's price if it happens to be just the regular 200 gal mix

You got me. It's a 200 gallon box, 4 bags.

rackman · 04/11/2012, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie7285

Heh, how many gallons does 200 pounds make?!!?? So, do most people just get whatever salt is cheapest?

your best bet is to pick one type of salt and stick with it

Ocean View · 04/11/2012, 05:45 AM

Two bags and 4 cups will make 120 gallons at 1.026. This is using I/O.

hampmp · 04/11/2012, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ocean View

Two bags and 4 cups will make 120 gallons at 1.026. This is using I/O.

Sounds like you have done this before

I thought I read somewhere that the coralife salt was high in phosphates is that true? I use instant ocean reef crystals personally. I think I took that advice from you Hershal

.

u4ick · 04/11/2012, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rackman

your best bet is to pick one type of salt and stick with it

I disagree some what. Yes I like sticking with 1 main type of salt (always preferred Coralife myself), But I think it's a good thing to switch salts up once in a while as the blend of trace elements in each brand is "different" and can add some diversity to what is going in the tank. 90% of trace elements (probably more) are in such low quantities that it would not make a major change in chemistry; and subtle changes is what we're after anyway right?

The reason I like the coralife, is because it seems to dissolve faster and clearer, leaving no residue behind(and in my opinionthe best bang for the buck). I've found regular instant ocean to leave some "dirt" in the bottom.....oceanic salt is the worst for that. Reef Crystals is good salt as well, but expensive. So for big water changes that can add up quick.

mkart · 04/11/2012, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rackman

your best bet is to pick one type of salt and stick with it

I started with Reef Crystals and just stuck with it. Definitely leaves a brown residue behind but my tank seems to like it. I net it out before making a water change and scrub the barrel once a month. I have been eyeing 2 165 gallon tanks like Hershel's and will change salt mix if I buy them. Those tanks would be too difficult to clean monthly.

Ocean View · 04/11/2012, 07:54 PM

Mkart thats what kids are for.

mkart · 04/11/2012, 08:43 PM

Maybe I could train my Weimaraner to do that. No kids here.

Ocean View · 04/11/2012, 08:52 PM

Just tie a rag to his tail and show him his favorite toy.

04/10/2012, 12:43 PM	#1
Paulie7285 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 11	Best Cheap Salt Howdy, I'm sure this is a common newbie question, but I just ran out of my first bag of Instant Ocean Salt and am wondering what salt I should buy, and what is the cheapest way to get it. Amazon.com seems the cheapest so far. __________________ 28g bowfront with a little of everything And yes, that is Red XIII from FFVII!

04/10/2012, 12:58 PM	#3
Paulie7285 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 11	Oh, and I saw Coralife Salt at the Petland off of 40 and N, but I don't know if that's a good brand. 50 gallon bag was on sale for just $16.99 though. So, does anyone know if that's a good salt? Thanks. __________________ 28g bowfront with a little of everything And yes, that is Red XIII from FFVII!

04/10/2012, 05:45 PM	#5
sbabs Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Columbia, Il Posts: 645	Tropical World has 200 lb box of Coralife for 34.95. It is under 38.00 with tax. 09.50 for 50 lb bag when you break it down. Pretty cheap. __________________ Skimmate Happens! Current Tank Info: Which one? I'm a mess of tanks

04/10/2012, 09:55 PM	#7
Paulie7285 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 11	Heh, how many gallons does 200 pounds make?!!?? So, do most people just get whatever salt is cheapest? __________________ 28g bowfront with a little of everything And yes, that is Red XIII from FFVII!

04/11/2012, 05:45 AM	#10
Ocean View Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Foristell MO Posts: 691	Two bags and 4 cups will make 120 gallons at 1.026. This is using I/O. __________________ Hershel Always be yourself, everybody else is already taken. Current Tank Info: 280 in the making.

04/10/2012, 12:57 PM	#2
mikebeth16 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 98	Drs Fosters & Smith has a special now where they will ship for free if you order more than $50 worth. So just add something else cheap, like food, to get to $50. The 200lb box was like $48 last I saw for the Instant Ocean Reef Crystals, which seems like a pretty widely used salt. Regular IO is $9 cheaper. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4856

04/11/2012, 07:54 PM	#14
Ocean View Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Foristell MO Posts: 691	Mkart thats what kids are for. __________________ Hershel Always be yourself, everybody else is already taken. Current Tank Info: 280 in the making.

04/11/2012, 08:43 PM	#15
mkart Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,313	Maybe I could train my Weimaraner to do that. No kids here.

04/11/2012, 08:52 PM	#16
Ocean View Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Foristell MO Posts: 691	Just tie a rag to his tail and show him his favorite toy. __________________ Hershel Always be yourself, everybody else is already taken. Current Tank Info: 280 in the making.