Have enough of Tropic Marin Pro Salt - Page 4

slow_leak · 04/08/2011, 06:02 AM

What is better about it?

RokleM · 04/08/2011, 07:18 AM

Wish the alk was just slightly lower, but the DD numbers look good to me:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1714505

this is me · 04/08/2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slow_leak

What is better about it?

He said ALK mixes about 9.5dKH, ca at 450ppm, and mg is 1350ppm. To me, that's better than the current crap I was getting with TMP.

Genj · 04/13/2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahuna

Mr. Hans-Werner:

I am a relative newbie to reef tanks. However, I switched to your product after starting my tank with Red Sea Coral Pro. To me, this was a good salt, and when my LFS ran out, they sold me your product as a substitute. It is, as far as I know, a good product as well. Since switching over last fall, I've had huge issues with my SPS corals and frags that I had in the tank. Monti's grey out and die, and acros turn brown and mushy at the tip and then die as well. LPS corals have had polyp bailout. You can see my most recent post here at http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1998773.

I don't want to cast aspersions on anyone's product, and can PM you the batch #'s from all 5 buckets, 3 of which are unopened in my garage and one in my utility room which has about 30 gallons worth of salt removed from it. I didn't have this problem before, and the acros seemed to be hit or miss with the first bucket, which I chalked up to wandering tank parameters and beginner's stupidity. However, the LPS polyp bailout on corals that were extremely healthy started immediately after using salt from the first of the four caked buckets. I stumbled across this thread after someone suggessted that I should check for feedback on the salt from other users.

I'm not asking for anything other than some help. If I have a bad batch, replacement would be appreciatated. I've checked for and found nothing wrong with any other parameters other than checking for copper, which I'll do tomorrow. After that, I'm not sure where to go. Was considering using balling lite to help with the issue.

At this point, any help is appreciated, as I'm banging my head against the wall.

Regards.

Kevin

My god, this is EXACTLY the problem I have been having. Down to the very last letter of the very last word. LPS, polyp bailout and detachment, monti caps dying immediately, SPS having RTN and STN events.

All, while wondering why this salt I have is so hard where I have to slam it down on the floor to break it up.

All Delight · 04/20/2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by this is me

CA was tested at around 440ppm with the bucket of 5dKH.

If you look under the lid, there's a # on there. TM says this is the bacth #. I got a bucket with the exact same ca and alk as yours. I'd like to know if we have the same batch #.

this is me · 04/20/2011, 02:35 PM

Post# 39

Gotcha! · 04/20/2011, 03:51 PM

I have been using TM and TMP for 2 - 3 years. Until this last summer I have not had an issue with TMP and dkh was always around 7.5 - 8.0 range. The last 2 buckets I purchased were bricks and on the last bucket - lot #21519 I decided to do some testing since a few of my corals were not doing well and all my parameters seemed fine and I could not put a reasoning into the decline and I noticed that in this lot, #21519 I went from 7.5 - 8.0 (previous bucket) down to 5.5 in the lot #21519 bucket. Since i do not do large water changes (I.E. 10 gallons every 2 weeks in my 90 gallon) I do not think that the salt was my issue yet its the only thing that had me hitting my head since I was having to chissel it out of the bucket. Anyway, I just got a bucket of Bio actif and wanted to test this salt out so I will now test this salt to see if its hitting the spec numbers.

I am no pro when it comes to salts. I have used this product for some time with great results until the last two buckets which were bricks and required a hammer to break it up LOL. Now you all have me testing my salts more then I expected to have too. Its just ironic I ran into this thread while serfing. I guess and will follow it to see what info Hans may bring back to the thread.

hairyman1 · 04/20/2011, 09:23 PM

That there may be a problem with one or two batch numbers of Tropic Marin pro. OK now what? We all switch to a different salt and hope that they never have a bad batch or two or do we just want the company rep to be more apologetic and less condescending? Are we sure that our coral health issues were the result of low alkalinity readings and that nothing else could have caused or contributed to it? Now I personally don't like using solid salt buckets or boxes as that can mean it's been sitting in a humid environment or not sufficiently dry when packaged or maybe a slightly warped/open lid, But I would use and adjust it as needed and make note of everything tested including what test kits I used and how old the regents were as old regents can give different results then new ones etc... Taking a water sample to your favorite reef shop for testing couldn't hurt as well as using the salt makers test kit. Reef keeping is a science, but not an exact science so some redundancy with regard to testing should be the norm.

RokleM · 04/21/2011, 12:05 PM

So what have we learned?

That TM hasn't and won't acknowledge the low alk situation?

tkeracer619 · 04/21/2011, 02:19 PM

Drs Foster and Smith has 200g IO boxes for $43. Randy has already shown that buffering IO is cheaper then the salt itself by volume so as you increase mag and calcium (if you need to) actually makes the salt even cheaper per gallon.

Hirobo · 04/26/2011, 07:02 PM

I am also having issues with Pro I switched from Brightwell salt after reading all the pros about this salt and from recommendations from fellow reefers. my tests on 24 hour mix is dkh at 6 mag at 1120 and calc at 360 at 1.025 I have never had to add as much calcium to my tank with the brightwell salt like i do with this salt. I might as well buy stock in their bio calcium. after my last water change (Sunday) my two show size Frogspawns are dying. My friend is having the same issue with the three buckets of pro salt he just purchased also so evidently there is an issue somewhere! I am chucking this bucket of salt out and going back to Brightwell

slow_leak · 04/26/2011, 07:30 PM

I have used TMP through to brick like containers and back to soft material again. Can not say I've had an issue as all sps have grown well to extremely depending on who you ask. I do run turf scrubber that is not commonly used on sps tank.

I have really no clue how kH 5 would screw up a system with 10% water changes, and why buffering with soda ash is a cost to worry about.

Stilll I would only use TMP and IO and may switch back to IO if reports continue. These reports would be more meaningful if length in hobby and how long current tank has been running is reported. I dismissed some of the earlier postings for this reason.

justchad · 04/28/2011, 09:09 PM

I have been an avid user of TMP for a couple of years now and I havent bought anything else.. I swore that this salt was by far the best UNTIL..... I picked up 3 buckets on my last trip to the LFS... I have to dose for everything now.. alk 5, Mag 1170, and my calcium hasnt been in the 400's at all from these buckets... I am done!

this is me · 04/29/2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slow_leak

.....and why buffering with soda ash is a cost to worry about.

If anyone is willing to shell out the cash for the premium price of TMP, I don't think they care about the cost. It's the extra step and the misleading advertising! It's not about the money here, it's the principle that ****es me off.

tozzi · 04/29/2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by this is me

If anyone is willing to shell out the cash for the premium price of TMP, I don't think they care about the cost. It's the extra step and the misleading advertising! It's not about the money here, it's the principle that ****es me off.

I agree. If u have to add stuff to the mix u might as well just use Instant ocean and add to that. It will cost u half as much. When i buy tmp for 80$ i want to mix it and use it, not add stuff to get it right.

Does anyone know if they fixed this and the buckets out now r ok? Would really s%&k if they changed their mix up and this is what the new one is going to b.

Tmp was my old reliable. D+D numbers r good but the stuff just mixes filthy. Brightwell Alk is too high for me. At this point im thinking of using IO or RC and just adding stuff to the mix to get it to where i want. Anyone have a salt that mixes up super clean and the new water is crystal clear when youe done?

BuckeyeTodd · 04/29/2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tozzi

I agree. If u have to add stuff to the mix u might as well just use Instant ocean and add to that. It will cost u half as much. When i buy tmp for 80$ i want to mix it and use it, not add stuff to get it right.

Does anyone know if they fixed this and the buckets out now r ok? Would really s%&k if they changed their mix up and this is what the new one is going to b.

Tmp was my old reliable. D+D numbers r good but the stuff just mixes filthy. Brightwell Alk is too high for me. At this point im thinking of using IO or RC and just adding stuff to the mix to get it to where i want. Anyone have a salt that mixes up super clean and the new water is crystal clear when youe done?

ahhh yes, the holy grail of salt. It should mix cleanly, have Ideal numbers, and be crystal clear, and the cheaper the better.

Seriously though, I just am using IO and adding some mag and a little calcium. Can't beat the price, and their reliability speaks for itself. Would be great to not have to mix it for 12 hours, but what can you do

RokleM · 04/30/2011, 08:19 AM

Recent buckets have the same issue, at least the I got did.

I threw away what I had left and won't return to the brand anytime soon. Unfortunately it looks like they started to look into the issue, then just dropped the ball. Even worse than not even attempting IMO.

I'm back to the old trust IO/Oceanic 50/50 mix from back in the day. Petsolutions had ~$45 buckets of oceanic. 460 calc, 9.5 alk, 1400 mag. Works for me.

tozzi · 05/01/2011, 08:24 PM

Just bought some IO today and a huge jug of mag to dose , LOL was still cheaper than a bucket of tmp

RokleM · 05/02/2011, 07:37 AM

That's why I'm mixing in some oceanic, since it's a little higher on calc/mag, plus helps drop the high alk level of IO down.

tozzi · 05/02/2011, 05:43 PM

Yea i know oceanic is real high in calcium, so it would b good to mix in. Dont think anyone sells it around here though

beastrx · 05/02/2011, 07:12 PM

I would like to know how many of you have tried regular TM salt. I bought a bucket of regular TM about a month or two ago and I love it. It was not hard and mixes quickly and clear. I got readings of 13 dKh 400 cal and 1300 mg. I run my tank at 8 dkh and just do not dose the morning after my water change. These 10% water changes with such a difference in alk does not affect my tanks alk in the least bit. So maybe I just got a good batch or regular TM is still good?

RokleM · 05/03/2011, 08:01 AM

I personally haven't tried. It's still expensive and quite frankly the calc/mag is too low. IO does it better cheaper. Chemistry experts are reporting the following: 375, 10, 1230. I would have to bump calc by 50, mag by 150-200ish to hit the levels I'd prefer. Understand, I'm not saying it won't work for you, but I would have to modify it too much when I can buy something for less and be closer to target.

dja1980 · 05/03/2011, 01:54 PM

Switch from Expensive Salt to IO...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1836588

yvr · 05/10/2011, 01:36 PM

Loyalty to salt brands is always a contentious issue. But since we are on the topic, I have always been happy with Tropic Marin's products and they have produced some great results for me and other hobbyists I know who use them. I am currently using TM's Pro Reef and love it!

tozzi · 05/10/2011, 05:40 PM

Reg tm is great salt. Use to use it before i had so much sps. Cal n mag r a little low for in my reef. Not sure if they messed with this or just the tmp

04/08/2011, 07:18 AM	#77
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	Wish the alk was just slightly lower, but the DD numbers look good to me: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1714505 __________________ -Eric-

04/20/2011, 02:35 PM	#81
this is me Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: MA Posts: 4,074	Post# 39 __________________ Nick When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment. When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's $4.95 per minute. Current Tank Info: Miracle 360 gallons

04/20/2011, 09:23 PM	#83
hairyman1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 271	So what have we learned? That there may be a problem with one or two batch numbers of Tropic Marin pro. OK now what? We all switch to a different salt and hope that they never have a bad batch or two or do we just want the company rep to be more apologetic and less condescending? Are we sure that our coral health issues were the result of low alkalinity readings and that nothing else could have caused or contributed to it? Now I personally don't like using solid salt buckets or boxes as that can mean it's been sitting in a humid environment or not sufficiently dry when packaged or maybe a slightly warped/open lid, But I would use and adjust it as needed and make note of everything tested including what test kits I used and how old the regents were as old regents can give different results then new ones etc... Taking a water sample to your favorite reef shop for testing couldn't hurt as well as using the salt makers test kit. Reef keeping is a science, but not an exact science so some redundancy with regard to testing should be the norm.

04/21/2011, 12:05 PM	#84
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	So what have we learned? That TM hasn't and won't acknowledge the low alk situation? __________________ -Eric-

04/21/2011, 02:19 PM	#85
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Drs Foster and Smith has 200g IO boxes for $43. Randy has already shown that buffering IO is cheaper then the salt itself by volume so as you increase mag and calcium (if you need to) actually makes the salt even cheaper per gallon. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/08/2011, 06:02 AM	#76
slow_leak Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 540 Blog Entries: 4	What is better about it?

04/20/2011, 03:51 PM	#82
Gotcha! Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 91	I have been using TM and TMP for 2 - 3 years. Until this last summer I have not had an issue with TMP and dkh was always around 7.5 - 8.0 range. The last 2 buckets I purchased were bricks and on the last bucket - lot #21519 I decided to do some testing since a few of my corals were not doing well and all my parameters seemed fine and I could not put a reasoning into the decline and I noticed that in this lot, #21519 I went from 7.5 - 8.0 (previous bucket) down to 5.5 in the lot #21519 bucket. Since i do not do large water changes (I.E. 10 gallons every 2 weeks in my 90 gallon) I do not think that the salt was my issue yet its the only thing that had me hitting my head since I was having to chissel it out of the bucket. Anyway, I just got a bucket of Bio actif and wanted to test this salt out so I will now test this salt to see if its hitting the spec numbers. I am no pro when it comes to salts. I have used this product for some time with great results until the last two buckets which were bricks and required a hammer to break it up LOL. Now you all have me testing my salts more then I expected to have too. Its just ironic I ran into this thread while serfing. I guess and will follow it to see what info Hans may bring back to the thread.

04/26/2011, 07:02 PM	#86
Hirobo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 54	I am also having issues with Pro I switched from Brightwell salt after reading all the pros about this salt and from recommendations from fellow reefers. my tests on 24 hour mix is dkh at 6 mag at 1120 and calc at 360 at 1.025 I have never had to add as much calcium to my tank with the brightwell salt like i do with this salt. I might as well buy stock in their bio calcium. after my last water change (Sunday) my two show size Frogspawns are dying. My friend is having the same issue with the three buckets of pro salt he just purchased also so evidently there is an issue somewhere! I am chucking this bucket of salt out and going back to Brightwell

04/26/2011, 07:30 PM	#87
slow_leak Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 540 Blog Entries: 4	I have used TMP through to brick like containers and back to soft material again. Can not say I've had an issue as all sps have grown well to extremely depending on who you ask. I do run turf scrubber that is not commonly used on sps tank. I have really no clue how kH 5 would screw up a system with 10% water changes, and why buffering with soda ash is a cost to worry about. Stilll I would only use TMP and IO and may switch back to IO if reports continue. These reports would be more meaningful if length in hobby and how long current tank has been running is reported. I dismissed some of the earlier postings for this reason.

04/28/2011, 09:09 PM	#88
justchad Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: forked river n.j. Posts: 16	I have been an avid user of TMP for a couple of years now and I havent bought anything else.. I swore that this salt was by far the best UNTIL..... I picked up 3 buckets on my last trip to the LFS... I have to dose for everything now.. alk 5, Mag 1170, and my calcium hasnt been in the 400's at all from these buckets... I am done! __________________ New Jersey reefers club

04/30/2011, 08:19 AM	#92
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	Recent buckets have the same issue, at least the I got did. I threw away what I had left and won't return to the brand anytime soon. Unfortunately it looks like they started to look into the issue, then just dropped the ball. Even worse than not even attempting IMO. I'm back to the old trust IO/Oceanic 50/50 mix from back in the day. Petsolutions had ~$45 buckets of oceanic. 460 calc, 9.5 alk, 1400 mag. Works for me. __________________ -Eric-

05/01/2011, 08:24 PM	#93
tozzi Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: JERSEY Posts: 825	Just bought some IO today and a huge jug of mag to dose , LOL was still cheaper than a bucket of tmp __________________ Your dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare a man whos the best with guns knives his bare hands A man whos been trained to ignore pain ignore weather eat things that would make a billy goat puke Current Tank Info: 215 sps

05/02/2011, 07:37 AM	#94
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	That's why I'm mixing in some oceanic, since it's a little higher on calc/mag, plus helps drop the high alk level of IO down. __________________ -Eric-

05/02/2011, 05:43 PM	#95
tozzi Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: JERSEY Posts: 825	Yea i know oceanic is real high in calcium, so it would b good to mix in. Dont think anyone sells it around here though __________________ Your dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare a man whos the best with guns knives his bare hands A man whos been trained to ignore pain ignore weather eat things that would make a billy goat puke Current Tank Info: 215 sps

05/02/2011, 07:12 PM	#96
beastrx Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: FL Posts: 131	I would like to know how many of you have tried regular TM salt. I bought a bucket of regular TM about a month or two ago and I love it. It was not hard and mixes quickly and clear. I got readings of 13 dKh 400 cal and 1300 mg. I run my tank at 8 dkh and just do not dose the morning after my water change. These 10% water changes with such a difference in alk does not affect my tanks alk in the least bit. So maybe I just got a good batch or regular TM is still good? __________________ I'm Dragon Wrasse Current Tank Info: 72 Mixed Reef

05/03/2011, 08:01 AM	#97
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	I personally haven't tried. It's still expensive and quite frankly the calc/mag is too low. IO does it better cheaper. Chemistry experts are reporting the following: 375, 10, 1230. I would have to bump calc by 50, mag by 150-200ish to hit the levels I'd prefer. Understand, I'm not saying it won't work for you, but I would have to modify it too much when I can buy something for less and be closer to target. __________________ -Eric-

05/03/2011, 01:54 PM	#98
dja1980 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sycamore, IL Posts: 1,375	Switch from Expensive Salt to IO... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1836588

05/10/2011, 01:36 PM	#99
yvr Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 75	Loyalty to salt brands is always a contentious issue. But since we are on the topic, I have always been happy with Tropic Marin's products and they have produced some great results for me and other hobbyists I know who use them. I am currently using TM's Pro Reef and love it! __________________ Best, Yvr Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef, 30 gallon sump/refugium, Ecoxotic Panorama Pro LED's, My Reef Creations skimmer, Ca reactor, octopus controller, chiller. 60 gallon Mixed LPS/SPS tank with 20 gallon sump, LED's Calc reactor.

05/10/2011, 05:40 PM	#100
tozzi Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: JERSEY Posts: 825	Reg tm is great salt. Use to use it before i had so much sps. Cal n mag r a little low for in my reef. Not sure if they messed with this or just the tmp __________________ Your dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare a man whos the best with guns knives his bare hands A man whos been trained to ignore pain ignore weather eat things that would make a billy goat puke Current Tank Info: 215 sps

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