Salt

BST · 02/06/2014, 09:29 PM

What is the best salt to use for my reef tank and why? Thanks

mx51 · 02/06/2014, 09:41 PM

I am no expert I am new to saltwater myself but have read a ton of threads about this and the answer is none! It's whatever works for you

rustyjames · 02/06/2014, 10:28 PM

It's all personal preference and where you like to keep your levels(cal/alk/mag). Some salts are higher in alk, for instance, than others. I've always used Instant Ocean but there several more expensive/specialty salts that people swear by. I don't recommend swearing here though.

Moorepower · 02/06/2014, 10:33 PM

If your going to do a reef tank best salt is Instant Oceans reef salt. It has higher calcium and mag. I was using normal IO but the cal and mag was much lower then there reef salt brand

rustyjames · 02/06/2014, 10:42 PM

Again, personal preference. Reef Crystals averages cal 490 and alk 13 according to the sticky in chemistry forum. Much higher than I like to keep my levels(420 and 8). If your goal is to not dose it may be fine.

rfgonzo · 02/06/2014, 11:17 PM

Reef crystals average is 455 ppm calcium at 77° with a SG of 1.026 not sure on DKH

Fizz71 · 02/07/2014, 07:53 AM

I use Reef Crystals as well..which is really just Instant Ocean with additional additives/configuration to gear more for corals (like others have said..CA and Alk..as well as more trace elements). Although I wouldn't consider it the "best" salt since I've seen chemical analysis on this and other salt brands and there are other salts out there that are definitely closer to NSW than Reef Crystals (and IO), but at a much higher price.

IMO RC is "just fine"...it's readily available...comes in bulk sizes...comparable for price...close enough to NSW for what we need....it's all I use. I know some folks that just use IO as well.

Dozer1one · 02/07/2014, 08:18 AM

I use io reef crystals, but recently have been thinking of switching to royal nature salt for it's known abilities towards excelerated coral growth. Still doing research on this as we speak.

igot2gats · 02/07/2014, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustyjames

It's all personal preference...

This.

There is no right/wrong/best salt. Instant Ocean and Reef Crystals are the two most popular, primarily due to price and convenience.

When you pick one, stick with it, and try not to constantly change it.

BST · 02/07/2014, 10:47 AM

Thanks for all the answers.

cakemanPA · 02/07/2014, 01:30 PM

Do a search on salt brands... There are tons of threads on this subject.

Baldguy · 02/07/2014, 04:18 PM

As someone mentioned, if you are not going to dose pick a salt with elevated levels of Ca and Mg such as Reef Crystals. If you are going to dose it doesn't really matter, you will make up for any shortcomings by dosing.

kikoreefer · 02/09/2014, 12:39 AM

I like aquavitro salinity. It's nice to have a salt that is geared towards reef salinity. Why would reef salt measure out to like 1.021 or whatever it is then you got this bucket that makes 200 gallons but in reality it's only 125 at 1.026. Yea it's slightly exaggerated but if you do the math salinity is actually only a couple more bucks the instant ocean. It's amazing a 225 gallon bucket of salt mix makes... 225 gallons.

Fishyoga · 02/25/2014, 04:48 PM

Having read a number of threads on salt, I have seen 'whatever works for you'.
I see that Ca, Mg, and alk are the primary concerns. What about trace elements? I don't really know anything about reef keeping, but is there a salt that has a 'better' mix of the trace elements for reef requirements?

danil · 02/25/2014, 07:06 PM

I tried like 5 brands and find myself using Reef Crystals more often. The well knowing pet store offers great deal on it.

EricBuzz · 02/25/2014, 08:19 PM

Personally I like the red sea pro salt. My corals have really responded to it.

02/06/2014, 09:29 PM	#1
BST Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 4	Salt What is the best salt to use for my reef tank and why? Thanks

02/06/2014, 10:28 PM	#3
rustyjames EMT-B Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	It's all personal preference and where you like to keep your levels(cal/alk/mag). Some salts are higher in alk, for instance, than others. I've always used Instant Ocean but there several more expensive/specialty salts that people swear by. I don't recommend swearing here though. __________________ I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Current Tank Info: 20 long

02/06/2014, 10:42 PM	#5
rustyjames EMT-B Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	Again, personal preference. Reef Crystals averages cal 490 and alk 13 according to the sticky in chemistry forum. Much higher than I like to keep my levels(420 and 8). If your goal is to not dose it may be fine. __________________ I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Current Tank Info: 20 long

02/07/2014, 07:53 AM	#7
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	I use Reef Crystals as well..which is really just Instant Ocean with additional additives/configuration to gear more for corals (like others have said..CA and Alk..as well as more trace elements). Although I wouldn't consider it the "best" salt since I've seen chemical analysis on this and other salt brands and there are other salts out there that are definitely closer to NSW than Reef Crystals (and IO), but at a much higher price. IMO RC is "just fine"...it's readily available...comes in bulk sizes...comparable for price...close enough to NSW for what we need....it's all I use. I know some folks that just use IO as well. __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact).

02/25/2014, 04:48 PM	#14
Fishyoga Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Alberta Posts: 136	Having read a number of threads on salt, I have seen 'whatever works for you'. I see that Ca, Mg, and alk are the primary concerns. What about trace elements? I don't really know anything about reef keeping, but is there a salt that has a 'better' mix of the trace elements for reef requirements? __________________ 55 gallon, high output 4-lamp t5 fixture (actinic, purple, 2x white), 2 Ocellaris (Orange Peel, and Beedy), Yellow Watchman Goby (Yellow Dog), Diamond Goby (Donkey), Long Tentacle Anemone (Nebula), Sa Current Tank Info: 55 gal

02/06/2014, 09:41 PM	#2
mx51 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Great Falls,MT Posts: 344	I am no expert I am new to saltwater myself but have read a ton of threads about this and the answer is none! It's whatever works for you

02/06/2014, 10:33 PM	#4
Moorepower Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 196	If your going to do a reef tank best salt is Instant Oceans reef salt. It has higher calcium and mag. I was using normal IO but the cal and mag was much lower then there reef salt brand

02/06/2014, 11:17 PM	#6
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	Reef crystals average is 455 ppm calcium at 77° with a SG of 1.026 not sure on DKH

02/07/2014, 08:18 AM	#8
Dozer1one Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: levittown, PA Posts: 349	I use io reef crystals, but recently have been thinking of switching to royal nature salt for it's known abilities towards excelerated coral growth. Still doing research on this as we speak.

02/07/2014, 10:47 AM	#10
BST Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 4	Thanks for all the answers.

02/07/2014, 01:30 PM	#11
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	Do a search on salt brands... There are tons of threads on this subject.

02/07/2014, 04:18 PM	#12
Baldguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ft Worth Posts: 296	As someone mentioned, if you are not going to dose pick a salt with elevated levels of Ca and Mg such as Reef Crystals. If you are going to dose it doesn't really matter, you will make up for any shortcomings by dosing.

02/09/2014, 12:39 AM	#13
kikoreefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 221	I like aquavitro salinity. It's nice to have a salt that is geared towards reef salinity. Why would reef salt measure out to like 1.021 or whatever it is then you got this bucket that makes 200 gallons but in reality it's only 125 at 1.026. Yea it's slightly exaggerated but if you do the math salinity is actually only a couple more bucks the instant ocean. It's amazing a 225 gallon bucket of salt mix makes... 225 gallons.

02/25/2014, 07:06 PM	#15
danil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 935	I tried like 5 brands and find myself using Reef Crystals more often. The well knowing pet store offers great deal on it.

02/25/2014, 08:19 PM	#16
EricBuzz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Saddle Brook, NJ Posts: 53	Personally I like the red sea pro salt. My corals have really responded to it.