what s the best salt mix

firefishred · 07/31/2007, 02:47 PM

what s the best salt mix ? Instant Ocean, Kent Ect.

meco65 · 07/31/2007, 02:50 PM

I use RED SEA. Works great for me.

papagimp · 07/31/2007, 02:50 PM

Answer is all going to depend on who you ask. This is a common debate going on and on and on....

I personally use Reef Crystals (Instant Ocean product)
I started with IO but the CA and ALK levels were way to low that way, ReefCrystals will yield higher on both.

But many other brands and opinions so let's here em people....

an411 · 07/31/2007, 02:56 PM

Papagimp the reefcrystal has a higher CA and ALK

firefishred · 07/31/2007, 03:13 PM

what s your ppm's? my alkalinity (KH) is about 190-210

an411 · 07/31/2007, 03:17 PM

I haven't even checked my alk yet I am still waiting for tank to cycle. I was just wondering if that was the case with the Instant ocean reef crystals cause if I ever had an issue with those 2 parameters I might switch over to that type of salt as well as dosing.

shortlegjj · 07/31/2007, 03:19 PM

corallife and instant ocean have worked great for me

firefishred · 07/31/2007, 03:22 PM

used Kent once and it was way off the Kh didn t even read I use instant ocean instant sea salt mix never had a problem! YET

old salty · 07/31/2007, 03:29 PM

The best is always the next brand you plan to try.

CSS Reef · 07/31/2007, 03:44 PM

Depends who you ask. I use reefcrystals but have heard good things about Tropic Marin Pro. I am interested in trying out Seachem reef crystals because of the elevated Potassium levels.

Is this for fish only or reef tank?

firefishred - You ALK cannot be 190-210 DKH.

An accepted range for ALK is anywhere from 8 dKH to 12 dKH.
This is also equivalent to approx. 2.8 meq/l to 4.25 meq/l

mr_o98 · 07/31/2007, 03:46 PM

I've been using Tropic Marin Pro Reef for about 2 years. No problems, but I have noticed that my alkalinity is always low after a water change.
I will be switching to Reef Crystals on my next bucket due to the high price of TMPR, it is around $75-80 a bucket. I picked Reef Crystals because of their reputation and longevity in the hobby.

firefishred · 07/31/2007, 03:58 PM

its a reef tank, my dKH is 9-10

snulma1 · 07/31/2007, 06:47 PM

I've been using Oceanic for my new tank and I love it! My Ca has been spot on at 440, and my alk has been at 2.5 with only biweekly water changes!

reefworm · 07/31/2007, 09:08 PM

Just to add to the mix [no pun intended, well, not intentionally anyway] I like FortyFathoms/Crystal Sea for bioassay research. Salt for 150 gals. just over $40 shipped. Mixes easily and parameters are dead on
www.aquaticeco.com

Grins · 07/31/2007, 09:58 PM

I use a 50/50 mix of Oceanic/IO

jer77 · 07/31/2007, 10:03 PM

Anyone using Seachem? And what about the Red Sea Coral Pro salt mix?

Aldente · 07/31/2007, 10:11 PM

I use the red sea coral pro and have never had any problems. I really like it.

adalon · 07/31/2007, 11:18 PM

Reef Crystals forever

Nano Chris · 08/01/2007, 04:44 AM

I started off with IO, i now use RC due to it having more trace elements, i hear that Tropic Marine is the best (more expensive) i saw a bag at my lfs that treats 300 gallons for $75, i had considered it but didn't have the money.

kevin2000 · 08/01/2007, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Grins
I use a 50/50 mix of Oceanic/IO

Interesting ... I suspect that may help mitigate the super high calc/mag of Oceanic at reef salinity and boost alk a bit as well. Might give that a try. Thanks for the tip.

07/31/2007, 02:47 PM	#1
firefishred Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spokane,WA Posts: 111	what s the best salt mix what s the best salt mix ? Instant Ocean, Kent Ect. __________________ Always nice to meet a REEFER Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef tank, a Remora Aqua C protein skimmer, Current Orbit lighting

07/31/2007, 02:50 PM	#3
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	Answer is all going to depend on who you ask. This is a common debate going on and on and on.... I personally use Reef Crystals (Instant Ocean product) I started with IO but the CA and ALK levels were way to low that way, ReefCrystals will yield higher on both. But many other brands and opinions so let's here em people.... __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

07/31/2007, 03:13 PM	#5
firefishred Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spokane,WA Posts: 111	what s your ppm's? my alkalinity (KH) is about 190-210 __________________ Always nice to meet a REEFER Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef tank, a Remora Aqua C protein skimmer, Current Orbit lighting

07/31/2007, 03:22 PM	#8
firefishred Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spokane,WA Posts: 111	used Kent once and it was way off the Kh didn t even read I use instant ocean instant sea salt mix never had a problem! YET __________________ Always nice to meet a REEFER Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef tank, a Remora Aqua C protein skimmer, Current Orbit lighting

07/31/2007, 03:29 PM	#9
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	The best is always the next brand you plan to try. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

07/31/2007, 02:50 PM	#2
meco65 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,603	I use RED SEA. Works great for me.

07/31/2007, 02:56 PM	#4
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	Papagimp the reefcrystal has a higher CA and ALK

07/31/2007, 03:17 PM	#6
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	I haven't even checked my alk yet I am still waiting for tank to cycle. I was just wondering if that was the case with the Instant ocean reef crystals cause if I ever had an issue with those 2 parameters I might switch over to that type of salt as well as dosing.

07/31/2007, 03:19 PM	#7
shortlegjj Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fairfield County, CT Posts: 41	corallife and instant ocean have worked great for me

07/31/2007, 03:44 PM	#10
CSS Reef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 595	Depends who you ask. I use reefcrystals but have heard good things about Tropic Marin Pro. I am interested in trying out Seachem reef crystals because of the elevated Potassium levels. Is this for fish only or reef tank? firefishred - You ALK cannot be 190-210 DKH. An accepted range for ALK is anywhere from 8 dKH to 12 dKH. This is also equivalent to approx. 2.8 meq/l to 4.25 meq/l

07/31/2007, 03:46 PM	#11
mr_o98 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pen Argyl, PA Posts: 600	I've been using Tropic Marin Pro Reef for about 2 years. No problems, but I have noticed that my alkalinity is always low after a water change. I will be switching to Reef Crystals on my next bucket due to the high price of TMPR, it is around $75-80 a bucket. I picked Reef Crystals because of their reputation and longevity in the hobby. __________________ Sometimes I amaze even myself. I feel like I have TWO brilliant minds. Current Tank Info: 90g fish only tank, Green Chromis, Ocellaris clown, 6 line Wrasse, Convict Tang, Foxface Lo, Decorator Goby, Lemon Drop butterfly, Flameback Angel - 30g sump, Euro Reef skimmer, 2 250w MH

07/31/2007, 03:58 PM	#12
firefishred Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spokane,WA Posts: 111	its a reef tank, my dKH is 9-10 __________________ Always nice to meet a REEFER Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef tank, a Remora Aqua C protein skimmer, Current Orbit lighting

07/31/2007, 06:47 PM	#13
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	I've been using Oceanic for my new tank and I love it! My Ca has been spot on at 440, and my alk has been at 2.5 with only biweekly water changes!

07/31/2007, 09:08 PM	#14
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	Just to add to the mix [no pun intended, well, not intentionally anyway] I like FortyFathoms/Crystal Sea for bioassay research. Salt for 150 gals. just over $40 shipped. Mixes easily and parameters are dead on www.aquaticeco.com __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

07/31/2007, 09:58 PM	#15
Grins Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 735	I use a 50/50 mix of Oceanic/IO __________________ R.A.S.O.C. : Reef Aquarium Society of Charlotte Current Tank Info: 55g mixed reef

07/31/2007, 10:03 PM	#16
jer77 Phish Lover Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,642	Anyone using Seachem? And what about the Red Sea Coral Pro salt mix? __________________ - Jonny -, 120g 5 Year Old Reef w/ SPS, BTA, Zoos & some Softies. 40g Frag Tank. 40g Sump. Super Reef Octopus XP 3000 External Cone Skimmer. 250W Radiums. TaoTronics LED. PanWorld 200PS w/SQWD

07/31/2007, 10:11 PM	#17
Aldente Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Forney,TX Posts: 11	I use the red sea coral pro and have never had any problems. I really like it.

07/31/2007, 11:18 PM	#18
adalon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: minnesota Posts: 105	Reef Crystals forever

08/01/2007, 04:44 AM	#19
Nano Chris Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,758	I started off with IO, i now use RC due to it having more trace elements, i hear that Tropic Marine is the best (more expensive) i saw a bag at my lfs that treats 300 gallons for $75, i had considered it but didn't have the money. __________________ Chris ------- 34 Gallon Red Sea Max 130! Setup (Just got back into the hobby) Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon RedSeaMax!