Best salt? - Page 2

texdoc77 · 10/07/2016, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnebbles

I'm going to be ordering my first salt. I was told reef crystals are great but I know I will want coral when the time comes. Should I buy a salt that specifically says it's better for the corals now or just wait?

Ah salt, what a divisive topic. Salt is important. The problem is that everyone has a "favorite" and it is difficult to prove one is better than another. It is relatively easy to look and see what the actual contents are, but another to know if differing amounts of this or that make a difference. I think they do and I think it is impossible to test my theory. The reason it is impossible to test this theory is that each tank is different in so many ways that you cannot reliably isolate salt as a differentiating entity. So we are back to square one. I think it goes back to tank planning. What do you want in your tank. If a fowlr, then most salts will do. If adding softies, LPS and/or SPS are in your future then take a moment to look at the requirements of your favorite corals and then judge that against the contents of the salts you are considering. Of course you will need to dose, but trace elements are important as well. It also depends on how you do water changes. If you make a batch and add the next day, most salts will do. If you use an AWC system and your salt will sit for a while consider a synthetic salt. Personally I'm not a fan of changing salts, so I would recommend picking one and staying with it unless you see significant issues caused by your salt choice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowmonster

They're all pretty much same to me, especially when you have to dose because the salt won't keep up with the demand. Those regular water changes just aren't cutting it anymore.

They may be the same to you, but they are definitely not the same. Everyone with corals will need to supplement, that doesn't mean the salt does not matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

I don't believe in a best salt. There are salts less or more ideal for what your maintenence methods or goals are and what your tank demands are.

So, its good to understand what you could expect from each brand.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2554264

This

Bent · 10/08/2016, 06:33 AM

I use reef crystals.

Timfish · 10/08/2016, 08:16 AM

Instant Ocean. It doesn't matter what salt you use you will need to monitor alkalinity, calcium and magnesium and be ready to dose one or more as needed as your animals use it up. Here's a video of a couple systems kept with Instant Ocean:

http://youtu.be/_Uf5IyXvajg

http://youtu.be/-eCQSVdqBQA

BruceWayne · 10/08/2016, 08:32 AM

I have used reef crystals when I didn't have sps it has a very high alk so I chose not to use it anymore I also don't use Red Sea pro it has high alk.. Red Sea blue bucket but only if you run low alk.

schnebbles · 10/08/2016, 09:33 AM

Thank you!

TimFish - beautiful tanks!!

biecacka · 10/09/2016, 03:58 PM

I use IO, as stated once a tank matures we end up dosing anyway so no salt can keep up with our demands on water changes only. Hat being said why not use what you can afford and dose accordingly

Corey

Timfish · 10/09/2016, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnebbles

Thank you!

TimFish - beautiful tanks!!

Thank You!

Bishopsnet · 10/10/2016, 09:12 AM

Has anyone tried or heard about Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt?

jason2459 · 10/10/2016, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bishopsnet

Has anyone tried or heard about Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt?

Yes.

It also has organics in it which if you store the saltmix for any amount of time I would keep it aerated. I am still awaiting some test results back on it to form a conclusion.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2554264

Bishopsnet · 10/10/2016, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

Yes.

It also has organics in it which if you store the saltmix for any amount of time I would keep it aerated. I am still awaiting some test results back on it to form a conclusion.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2554264

I ordered it for my first tank setup. Jbj 28g. How do you keep it aerated?

jason2459 · 10/10/2016, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bishopsnet

I ordered it for my first tank setup. Jbj 28g. How do you keep it aerated?

Airstone or mixing pump

10/08/2016, 06:33 AM	#27
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	I use reef crystals. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

10/08/2016, 08:16 AM	#28
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,985	Instant Ocean. It doesn't matter what salt you use you will need to monitor alkalinity, calcium and magnesium and be ready to dose one or more as needed as your animals use it up. Here's a video of a couple systems kept with Instant Ocean: http://youtu.be/_Uf5IyXvajg http://youtu.be/-eCQSVdqBQA __________________ "Our crystal clear aquaria come nowhere close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs" Charles Delbeek

10/08/2016, 08:32 AM	#29
BruceWayne Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 8	I have used reef crystals when I didn't have sps it has a very high alk so I chose not to use it anymore I also don't use Red Sea pro it has high alk.. Red Sea blue bucket but only if you run low alk.

10/08/2016, 09:33 AM	#30
schnebbles Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 475	Thank you! TimFish - beautiful tanks!!

10/09/2016, 03:58 PM	#31
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	I use IO, as stated once a tank matures we end up dosing anyway so no salt can keep up with our demands on water changes only. Hat being said why not use what you can afford and dose accordingly Corey

10/10/2016, 09:12 AM	#33
Bishopsnet Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 154	Has anyone tried or heard about Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt?