Is the a difference? In salt

kzoo · 07/10/2007, 08:15 PM

Thinking of changing salts from RC to TM is there a big difference or is it just hipe?

J. Montgomery · 07/10/2007, 08:22 PM

Yes there are difference between different salt brands with respect to composition. Frequently people will talk about differences in calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels between different brands . . . and "trace minerals".

More than anything, salt brand is more of a personal preference than a strict "this brand is better than another". I think everyone tries different brands at one point or another. Some people have very passionate views on the subject, other pick brands based on availability and price.

kzoo · 07/10/2007, 08:28 PM

Ya I have tried other brands and found RC to be good but I have read and a few people local say that TM is the best and it will help your colors pop. The price is a good amount more so woundering if it is worth the money?

MeuserReef · 07/10/2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kzoo
The price is a good amount more so woundering if it is worth the money?

I have wondered this too... Are you getting the extra $$$'s worth in quality... or are you paying for some sort of status.

I use RC. its cheap and DFS brings it to my door for $9 shipping. I would burn more in gas to get to the good LFS in town.

coralfarm123 · 07/10/2007, 09:11 PM

I have used RC and TM and they both work fine. I currently use RC and won't change again.

frederickk · 07/17/2007, 07:36 PM

What's the Alk at with the RC salt brand?

old salty · 07/17/2007, 09:23 PM

I have tried about 7 or 8 different salts; none of them were alike so I would have to say that they certainly are different. Someone told me very early on that my corals would be able to tell me which salt they liked the most; he was right.

MTB · 07/17/2007, 10:09 PM

When I tried a bucket of TM last month, it had Phosphates. ~0.50 With my RO/DI at 0 TDS. I will stick with RC.

NealNano · 07/17/2007, 10:21 PM

The phosphates came from your water source not the TM. TM Pro is the best salt hands down. I will never use another salt. I have tried HW Marine Mix and Coral Life. I got better polyp extention, color and growth with the TM Pro. Like I said Best salt in the world.

reefkoi · 07/17/2007, 10:33 PM

Just use Instant Ocean thats what everybody on Reef Central uses, its the cheapest.

Musho3210 · 07/17/2007, 10:41 PM

use whatever works for your fish, your corals, and you.

I use MH lights, you should, e Hurry up and go to your lfs, people who dont use MH lights are terrible fish keepers and shouldnt be in this hobby.

Would you listen to me? How about this

I use reef crystals, you should, Hurry up and go to your lfs, people who dont use reef crystals are terrible fish keepers and shouldnt be in this hobby.

You dont need to answer my next question

What oneseems more correct? Not is correct, but what seems correct.

EDIT: My apologies to the previous poster, i found it a bit insulting so i took out a few bits

machinas · 07/17/2007, 11:02 PM

Just use what ever works, I am a big TM fan. I switched to Red Sea Coral Pro, just to check it out and my tank got rocked with red and green algae. I heard the same thing happened to a few other people. But the guy at my lfs said several people had no problems with the stuff. It all depends on preference, if you're happy with RC, stay with it. I highly doubt you'll be disappointed with TM though. Before TM I used regular Red Sea. I'd always have to alter some type of element(calcium, alk,ph,strontium,moly). I'd get different readings every week using the same salinity in my fresh water. Once I started with TM, my levels were consistent every week. It got to a point where I just stopped checking levels (except salinity). As long as that was the same I knew everything else was where it should be and my corals had never looked better. Again, its all about preference, I've heard of people who absolutely despise TM. I'm definitely going back to it though...

frederickk · 07/19/2007, 04:08 AM

Thanks guys

I think I will give TM a try.

07/10/2007, 08:15 PM	#1
kzoo Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 589	Is the a difference? In salt Thinking of changing salts from RC to TM is there a big difference or is it just hipe?

07/10/2007, 08:22 PM	#2
J. Montgomery Mouth Pipetting Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 6,278	Yes there are difference between different salt brands with respect to composition. Frequently people will talk about differences in calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels between different brands . . . and "trace minerals". More than anything, salt brand is more of a personal preference than a strict "this brand is better than another". I think everyone tries different brands at one point or another. Some people have very passionate views on the subject, other pick brands based on availability and price. __________________ Josh

07/17/2007, 09:23 PM	#7
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	I have tried about 7 or 8 different salts; none of them were alike so I would have to say that they certainly are different. Someone told me very early on that my corals would be able to tell me which salt they liked the most; he was right. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

07/17/2007, 10:09 PM	#8
MTB Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,365	When I tried a bucket of TM last month, it had Phosphates. ~0.50 With my RO/DI at 0 TDS. I will stick with RC. __________________ Got Frags? Current Tank Info: 40 breeder. Kessil lights. Reef octopus skimmer. Vortec mp40 x2.

07/17/2007, 10:33 PM	#10
reefkoi Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,983	Just use Instant Ocean thats what everybody on Reef Central uses, its the cheapest. __________________ 1Kw bulb club Current Tank Info: A 600gal. on Zeovit & a 240gal.

07/10/2007, 08:28 PM	#3
kzoo Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 589	Ya I have tried other brands and found RC to be good but I have read and a few people local say that TM is the best and it will help your colors pop. The price is a good amount more so woundering if it is worth the money?

07/10/2007, 09:11 PM	#5
coralfarm123 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 590	I have used RC and TM and they both work fine. I currently use RC and won't change again.

07/17/2007, 07:36 PM	#6
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	What's the Alk at with the RC salt brand?

07/17/2007, 10:21 PM	#9
NealNano Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 764	The phosphates came from your water source not the TM. TM Pro is the best salt hands down. I will never use another salt. I have tried HW Marine Mix and Coral Life. I got better polyp extention, color and growth with the TM Pro. Like I said Best salt in the world.

07/17/2007, 10:41 PM	#11
Musho3210 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Evanston IL (near chicago) Posts: 1,899	use whatever works for your fish, your corals, and you. I use MH lights, you should, e Hurry up and go to your lfs, people who dont use MH lights are terrible fish keepers and shouldnt be in this hobby. Would you listen to me? How about this I use reef crystals, you should, Hurry up and go to your lfs, people who dont use reef crystals are terrible fish keepers and shouldnt be in this hobby. You dont need to answer my next question What oneseems more correct? Not is correct, but what seems correct. EDIT: My apologies to the previous poster, i found it a bit insulting so i took out a few bits __________________ Ryan

07/17/2007, 11:02 PM	#12
machinas Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York Posts: 131	Just use what ever works, I am a big TM fan. I switched to Red Sea Coral Pro, just to check it out and my tank got rocked with red and green algae. I heard the same thing happened to a few other people. But the guy at my lfs said several people had no problems with the stuff. It all depends on preference, if you're happy with RC, stay with it. I highly doubt you'll be disappointed with TM though. Before TM I used regular Red Sea. I'd always have to alter some type of element(calcium, alk,ph,strontium,moly). I'd get different readings every week using the same salinity in my fresh water. Once I started with TM, my levels were consistent every week. It got to a point where I just stopped checking levels (except salinity). As long as that was the same I knew everything else was where it should be and my corals had never looked better. Again, its all about preference, I've heard of people who absolutely despise TM. I'm definitely going back to it though... __________________ "I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out." Current Tank Info: Little bit of everything Last edited by machinas; 07/17/2007 at 11:18 PM.

07/19/2007, 04:08 AM	#13
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	Thanks guys I think I will give TM a try.