Salt Mixes - Which One?

ThaChad · 09/05/2016, 03:34 PM

Hey All,

I have been Reef Keeping since about 2005, I started with Instant Ocean and on my second bucket went to Reef Crystals.

I have since used a few others in a pinch when I ran out of salt and had to buy what was available at the LFS.

So I am currently using and have been using Reef Crystals mainly because they work and was usually about 1/2 the price of other salts.

I was about to order another bucket on a popular website and saw that they had 4 options for about the same price..

So I thought I would once again pop the question of, Which Salt? Maybe salts have changed or advanced since I first started this thing... I do have a hair algae problem, but that is My fault as it has been quite awhile since I have done a water change... But maybe one salt has less phosphates or something in it?

1. Reef Crystals Synthetic Sea Salt 200 gallon mix (box) - $49.99

2. Kent Marine Reef Salt Mix 200 gallon mix (box) - $49.99

3. Coralife Marine Salt 200 gallon mix (box) - $44.99

4. Seachem Salt Mixes 200 gallon Reef Salt (box) - $59.99

I've heard Tropic Marine is the "best" but it is about 2x as much money and I can't see it being 2x better than any of the above.

Thanks for the help!

-ThaChad

nmotz · 09/05/2016, 03:49 PM

"Which salt to use" seems to be one of those questions that will never be put to rest for good. Long story short, even TOTM tanks have used plain old IO. "Designer" salts won't give you an edge. Only difference seems to be that the more expensive salts mix more easily.

IMO, good RO/DI is far more important than salt brand. Also good husbandry, proper lighting, proper flow, good import/export, good skimmer, etc. Basically, I would put salt brand in the bottom tier of considerations for how to run a successful tank. Buy cheap!

Bent · 09/05/2016, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmotz

"Which salt to use" seems to be one of those questions that will never be put to rest for good. Long story short, even TOTM tanks have used plain old IO. "Designer" salts won't give you an edge. Only difference seems to be that the more expensive salts mix more easily.

IMO, good RO/DI is far more important than salt brand. Also good husbandry, proper lighting, proper flow, good import/export, good skimmer, etc. Basically, I would put salt brand in the bottom tier of considerations for how to run a successful tank. Buy cheap!

This.

If you are keeping corals, you'll be dosing anyway. If your keeping fish only, then the brand doesn't matter.

Either way, doesn't matter. Buy the cheap stuff.

kga943 · 09/05/2016, 07:15 PM

reef crystals plus dosing works for me been thinking about aquaforest

ThaChad · 09/05/2016, 07:18 PM

I do notice with Reef Crystals that there seems to be a lot of undissolved solids that I always try to fish out before dumping the water into the tank..

Of the Salts listed, does any one have any experience as to any that might dissolve better? or have less junk in it? (I'm not entirely sure what it is that is left floating around after the salt has dissolved)

Thanks,

-ThaChad

DBR_reef · 09/06/2016, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaChad

I do notice with Reef Crystals that there seems to be a lot of undissolved solids that I always try to fish out before dumping the water into the tank..

Of the Salts listed, does any one have any experience as to any that might dissolve better? or have less junk in it? (I'm not entirely sure what it is that is left floating around after the salt has dissolved)

Thanks,

-ThaChad

I like the regular red sea salt- I get a 200 gallon bag for $55. The coral pro has a high alkalinity which messes with my levels, but the regular mixes completely cleanly and allows me not to dose mag, which is worth the extra couple bucks over IO for me

RBU1 · 09/06/2016, 10:40 AM

I like Kent

DivingTheWorld · 09/06/2016, 10:57 AM

I use plain old IO in my sps tank.

Potatohead · 09/06/2016, 11:03 AM

I use Aquaforest but I tend to agree if you are dosing, they are all going to end up being the same in the end. I like the AF because it's ready to go after about 30 minutes of mixing.

Superpuma · 09/06/2016, 12:19 PM

Best salt for dissolving quickly, clear and clean that l've used is Blue Treasure SPS salt, and it's well cheap, even in Norway��.

09/05/2016, 03:34 PM	#1
ThaChad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central, Illinois Posts: 84	Salt Mixes - Which One? Hey All, I have been Reef Keeping since about 2005, I started with Instant Ocean and on my second bucket went to Reef Crystals. I have since used a few others in a pinch when I ran out of salt and had to buy what was available at the LFS. So I am currently using and have been using Reef Crystals mainly because they work and was usually about 1/2 the price of other salts. I was about to order another bucket on a popular website and saw that they had 4 options for about the same price.. So I thought I would once again pop the question of, Which Salt? Maybe salts have changed or advanced since I first started this thing... I do have a hair algae problem, but that is My fault as it has been quite awhile since I have done a water change... But maybe one salt has less phosphates or something in it? 1. Reef Crystals Synthetic Sea Salt 200 gallon mix (box) - $49.99 2. Kent Marine Reef Salt Mix 200 gallon mix (box) - $49.99 3. Coralife Marine Salt 200 gallon mix (box) - $44.99 4. Seachem Salt Mixes 200 gallon Reef Salt (box) - $59.99 I've heard Tropic Marine is the "best" but it is about 2x as much money and I can't see it being 2x better than any of the above. Thanks for the help! -ThaChad __________________ 90g Glass Tank w/Corner Overflow: Reef Breeders Photon v2 48" \| Custom 34x15x15 Fuge/Sump \| SWC Xtreme 160 Skimmer \| Coralife Turbo-Twist 6x \| 120+ lbs of LR \| 100lbs of LS

09/05/2016, 03:49 PM	#2
nmotz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 1,433	"Which salt to use" seems to be one of those questions that will never be put to rest for good. Long story short, even TOTM tanks have used plain old IO. "Designer" salts won't give you an edge. Only difference seems to be that the more expensive salts mix more easily. IMO, good RO/DI is far more important than salt brand. Also good husbandry, proper lighting, proper flow, good import/export, good skimmer, etc. Basically, I would put salt brand in the bottom tier of considerations for how to run a successful tank. Buy cheap! __________________ Mantis shrimp are the best! Current Tank Info: 20L Peacock mantis shrimp tank

09/05/2016, 07:18 PM	#5
ThaChad Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central, Illinois Posts: 84	I do notice with Reef Crystals that there seems to be a lot of undissolved solids that I always try to fish out before dumping the water into the tank.. Of the Salts listed, does any one have any experience as to any that might dissolve better? or have less junk in it? (I'm not entirely sure what it is that is left floating around after the salt has dissolved) Thanks, -ThaChad __________________ 90g Glass Tank w/Corner Overflow: Reef Breeders Photon v2 48" \| Custom 34x15x15 Fuge/Sump \| SWC Xtreme 160 Skimmer \| Coralife Turbo-Twist 6x \| 120+ lbs of LR \| 100lbs of LS

09/06/2016, 10:57 AM	#8
DivingTheWorld Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 1,963	I use plain old IO in my sps tank. __________________ Current Tank Info: LeeMar Rimless (40x24x22), ATI 8x39 Dimmable w/Reefbrite XHO, 2x Vortech MP40w QD w/ Battery Backup, Apex Gold, Trigger Systems Ruby30S, Reef Octopus POV-DC1 w/Auto Waste Collector

09/05/2016, 07:15 PM	#4
kga943 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 504	reef crystals plus dosing works for me been thinking about aquaforest

09/06/2016, 10:40 AM	#7
RBU1 Moving on Up Join Date: May 2004 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 5,167	I like Kent

09/06/2016, 11:03 AM	#9
Potatohead Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,596	I use Aquaforest but I tend to agree if you are dosing, they are all going to end up being the same in the end. I like the AF because it's ready to go after about 30 minutes of mixing.

09/06/2016, 12:19 PM	#10
Superpuma Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 159	Best salt for dissolving quickly, clear and clean that l've used is Blue Treasure SPS salt, and it's well cheap, even in Norway��.