Salt mix question

slam308 · 02/15/2007, 04:46 PM

Is there really much of a difference between the major brands of salt mixes? How does Coralife rate? If I did change to a different salt mix, is it okay to just switch, or should I "wean off" between the old salt mix and the new one?

bertoni · 02/15/2007, 04:55 PM

Most switches seem okay, but switching between Instant Ocean and Crystal Seas often seems to cause problems, for unknown reasons. I'd avoid Oceanic and SeaChem salts, due to issues of ionic balance. Currently, I'm using Instant Ocean. There's lots of tests run on salt products, but no clearcut results, as far as I can tell.

lakwriter · 02/15/2007, 04:58 PM

I usually use Instant Ocean for my changes, but if it an emergency and I'm out, I use water from my LFS. I'm fairly certain they use TropicMarin. I've never had any trouble.

slam308 · 02/15/2007, 05:22 PM

Thanks guys,
I'd seen a number of good references to Instant Ocean or Reef Crystals, but no one's mentioned Coralife.
I recently lost both of my new clowns, although the 5 year old Chromis my friend gave me the week before is fine. So now I'm double checking everything. My numbers are all right on the money.
I'm assuming at this point that it was a stress issue. The LFS got them the night before and we took them home the next day. Too many changes in too short a time from what I'm told.

Just an aside, it's weird that Seachem seems to be the ultimate for a number of products, but Bertoni, you're saying there are issues with their salt mix. Not saying at all that I doubt you, but that's probably one of the last mixes I'd expect some to advise people to stay away from. Just one more reason I love this site.

02/15/2007, 04:46 PM	#1
slam308 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 261	Salt mix question Is there really much of a difference between the major brands of salt mixes? How does Coralife rate? If I did change to a different salt mix, is it okay to just switch, or should I "wean off" between the old salt mix and the new one? __________________ Slam308 Current Tank Info: 24 Ap...22 lbs LR...5 months old...1 Turbo...2 hermits...1 Cerith snails...1 Chromis (acquired by accident!)...1 O. clown...2 Nassarius snails (man, those suckers are fast)

02/15/2007, 04:55 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Most switches seem okay, but switching between Instant Ocean and Crystal Seas often seems to cause problems, for unknown reasons. I'd avoid Oceanic and SeaChem salts, due to issues of ionic balance. Currently, I'm using Instant Ocean. There's lots of tests run on salt products, but no clearcut results, as far as I can tell. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/15/2007, 04:58 PM	#3
lakwriter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 562	I usually use Instant Ocean for my changes, but if it an emergency and I'm out, I use water from my LFS. I'm fairly certain they use TropicMarin. I've never had any trouble. __________________ And this, too, shall pass... 29 g FOWLR 37# LR, 35# LS 2 green chromis 2 ocellaris clowns a very social peppermint shrimp and various snails and hermits

02/15/2007, 05:22 PM	#4
slam308 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 261	Thanks guys, I'd seen a number of good references to Instant Ocean or Reef Crystals, but no one's mentioned Coralife. I recently lost both of my new clowns, although the 5 year old Chromis my friend gave me the week before is fine. So now I'm double checking everything. My numbers are all right on the money. I'm assuming at this point that it was a stress issue. The LFS got them the night before and we took them home the next day. Too many changes in too short a time from what I'm told. Just an aside, it's weird that Seachem seems to be the ultimate for a number of products, but Bertoni, you're saying there are issues with their salt mix. Not saying at all that I doubt you, but that's probably one of the last mixes I'd expect some to advise people to stay away from. Just one more reason I love this site. __________________ Slam308 Current Tank Info: 24 Ap...22 lbs LR...5 months old...1 Turbo...2 hermits...1 Cerith snails...1 Chromis (acquired by accident!)...1 O. clown...2 Nassarius snails (man, those suckers are fast)