Salt Brands

wildblue64 · 06/16/2012, 06:44 AM

Are the differences between salt brands significant enough that I should choose one brand over another or should I just go with what my local LFS has on hand?

den75 · 06/16/2012, 07:05 AM

Here is a whole thread on salt mixes.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2178738

margaritaville · 06/16/2012, 07:09 AM

i use instant ocean reef crystals, it mixes well and seems to be pretty consistant.... not to mention it is pretty cheap. ive tried red sea coral pro before and it doesnt mix well at all, it always leave residue everywhere and for some reason it is hard to get the salinity correct. i would just try different salt mixes till you find "THE ONE" that YOU like, but be carefull, ive heard of corals getting burned from switching salt brands although this has never happened to me.

jformani · 06/16/2012, 07:34 AM

To answer your question...yes. Especially if keeping corals. I was using Red Sea Coral Pro but lost way to much salt due to precipitate...I switched back to Reef Crystals.

billdogg · 06/16/2012, 08:36 AM

I have always used whatever I can get the cheapest. Usually Instant Ocean. At least IMO, because you should be checking levels anyway, it is a simple matter to adjust additives as needed.

uneverno · 06/16/2012, 08:49 AM

I use what my LFS uses and keep my tank at the same salinity they do.
Since that's where I get most of my critters, it makes for easier acclimation.
(And yes, they keep their fish and inverts at the same salinity, unlike some shops which hyposalinate the fish.)

andrewey · 06/16/2012, 08:52 AM

Some have differences, but I find for most hobbyists they're all pretty similar and ost go for whatever is the cheapest, or they've used before.

a.browning · 06/16/2012, 12:10 PM

I would use IO unless you really want to try something else. It has great parameters for Ca, Alk, and Mg. Also, it is normally relatively cheap compared to the other brands.

EllieSuz · 06/16/2012, 12:41 PM

I was watching a special on the Atlanta Aquarium and they showed them taking delivery of tons of Instant Ocean. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me. I've used it since I began the hobby. On occasion I've mixed up water the same day as a water change. Properly aerated, it clears up real quickly.

ItzJustinN · 06/16/2012, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EllieSuz

I was watching a special on the Atlanta Aquarium and they showed them taking delivery of tons of Instant Ocean. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me. I've used it since I began the hobby. On occasion I've mixed up water the same day as a water change. Properly aerated, it clears up real quickly.

+1 to this, i am new to the hobby and love the fact that io can be used instantly (although i usually mix overnight with aeration). its kind of a "security buffer" for me right now until i learn things more.

_Aaron_ · 06/16/2012, 03:44 PM

I started out using Kent, then switched to RSCP and used it for a while until I get fed up with all the crap it left behind when mixing. Now I'm using Reef Crystals, mixes cleanly and quickly with no precipitate left behind.

oklahoma11 · 06/16/2012, 07:38 PM

I go with instant ocean reef crystals, I used oceanic at one time, but it was more expensive and reef crystals seemed to be just as good.

dbleyepatches · 06/16/2012, 09:13 PM

My information is dated but I used to mix IO and Kent 50/50 and got along great with that combination.

REEFCANDY · 06/16/2012, 09:17 PM

i am using red sea pro salt mix for 2 years now. i am happy with it.

06/16/2012, 06:44 AM	#1
wildblue64 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Missouri Posts: 12	Salt Brands Are the differences between salt brands significant enough that I should choose one brand over another or should I just go with what my local LFS has on hand?

06/16/2012, 07:05 AM	#2
den75 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 261	Here is a whole thread on salt mixes. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2178738 __________________ 150g Reef Savvy DT. 55g Sump, Reef Octopus 3000 Int. Skimmer, 2 Maxspect Razor 27" 16k lights, Water Blaster 7000 return. 2 Vortech MP40's, Apex Controller, Genesis Reef ATO and Auto H2O change Syst.

06/16/2012, 08:36 AM	#5
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I have always used whatever I can get the cheapest. Usually Instant Ocean. At least IMO, because you should be checking levels anyway, it is a simple matter to adjust additives as needed. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

06/16/2012, 08:49 AM	#6
uneverno Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 10	I use what my LFS uses and keep my tank at the same salinity they do. Since that's where I get most of my critters, it makes for easier acclimation. (And yes, they keep their fish and inverts at the same salinity, unlike some shops which hyposalinate the fish.) __________________ Prost, Emil Current Tank Info: Building 30g Cube

06/16/2012, 12:10 PM	#8
a.browning Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 975	I would use IO unless you really want to try something else. It has great parameters for Ca, Alk, and Mg. Also, it is normally relatively cheap compared to the other brands. __________________ 75 SPS, 80 & 45 Frag Tank, 40B Leather Tank

06/16/2012, 07:09 AM	#3
margaritaville Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Deltona, Florida Posts: 19	i use instant ocean reef crystals, it mixes well and seems to be pretty consistant.... not to mention it is pretty cheap. ive tried red sea coral pro before and it doesnt mix well at all, it always leave residue everywhere and for some reason it is hard to get the salinity correct. i would just try different salt mixes till you find "THE ONE" that YOU like, but be carefull, ive heard of corals getting burned from switching salt brands although this has never happened to me.

06/16/2012, 07:34 AM	#4
jformani Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 730	To answer your question...yes. Especially if keeping corals. I was using Red Sea Coral Pro but lost way to much salt due to precipitate...I switched back to Reef Crystals.

06/16/2012, 08:52 AM	#7
andrewey Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 85	Some have differences, but I find for most hobbyists they're all pretty similar and ost go for whatever is the cheapest, or they've used before.

06/16/2012, 12:41 PM	#9
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	I was watching a special on the Atlanta Aquarium and they showed them taking delivery of tons of Instant Ocean. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me. I've used it since I began the hobby. On occasion I've mixed up water the same day as a water change. Properly aerated, it clears up real quickly. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

06/16/2012, 03:44 PM	#11
_Aaron_ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: UK Posts: 443	I started out using Kent, then switched to RSCP and used it for a while until I get fed up with all the crap it left behind when mixing. Now I'm using Reef Crystals, mixes cleanly and quickly with no precipitate left behind.

06/16/2012, 07:38 PM	#12
oklahoma11 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 87	I go with instant ocean reef crystals, I used oceanic at one time, but it was more expensive and reef crystals seemed to be just as good.

06/16/2012, 09:13 PM	#13
dbleyepatches Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 25	My information is dated but I used to mix IO and Kent 50/50 and got along great with that combination.

06/16/2012, 09:17 PM	#14
REEFCANDY Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 60	i am using red sea pro salt mix for 2 years now. i am happy with it.