Noob question.... Salt mixes?

[music4life87]

So this is probably a dumb question but here goes anyways. What is the best salt mix to be using right now? When I had my 70 gallon reef tank a few years ago I was always dosing Cal, Mag, Iodine and Vodka per the "Fish Guru" at my LFS. He would test my water and then tell me what to add to my tank. Because I was to dumb to care I didn't really notice what the real problems were. Now that I'm back at it again I did some test myself and I see that my Cal and Mag are low again. I went back to using Instant Ocean Sea Salt mix since I used it last time and I thought it was working good. But now I'm not sure if it really has the elements I need it in. Is there a better option out there for mixing salt that might have more of the elements I need so I don't have to be dosing the tank all the time?

[CrazyEyes]

There is no best salt mix imo, there are good and bad for each person. Unless your tank is crammed with corals your levels should be fine in between weekly water changes. With that said though, I really like E.S.V by B-Ionic, it mixes really clean but it's a bit more pricey than IO, Redsea and a bit more involved than just adding the salt to freshwater.

Also, this tank which is fairly SPS dominated with a mix of zoas and rics uses regular Instant ocean. But he does run a calcium reactor but, it's packed to the gills (thats an old pic) with SPS.

[music4life87]

Yeah I would like to avoid a Calcium reactor due to size issues with my AIO tank. I was just hoping that there would be a better salt mix then the IO salt. Maybe even the IO Reef Crystals?

[thecoralbeauty]

I use Reef Crystals, I switched to it back in college from IO. I'm happy with it, have gotten good growth in the past and already starting to see some now. I'm definitely more SPS heavy than I ever was before though, so time will tell if it stands up to the challenge!

[nanoreefnate]

I used to be a NSW user but when I discovered ESV's Seawater System which is packed into 4 separate parts (2 dry and 2 liquid components) I have to say I may never use another salt mix again. It mixes up clear in about 10 minutes and can be used shortly after that. Whenever I do water changes now my corals almost never look mad or unhappy which is something that used to happen when I used NSW. It is on the expensive side, but well worth it if you ask me.

[CJJon]

I really like the ESV salt mix. It is expensive, but I don't care. Measuring by weight is a must though. I use an old school triple beam that is accurate to 0.1g.

[fishfreak0114]

I like Red Sea coral pro. My calcium is always fine with biweekly water changes, mind you I don't have much coral yet.

[smeagol108]

+1 to Red Sea coral pro. No need to dose. Water changes will replenish if done in a small system regularly. And it's ready to use in ten minutes. Mixes fast and clear.

[tibbsy07]

Coral labs in my department and our lab use regular IO. Partially because it is the cheapest, but also because it is the closest to actual seawater. None of them are THAT close, but regular old IO is about as good as you'll get.

[LebaneseDlight]

Salt mixes are like assholes. Isn't that how the saying going? I personally wouldn't use RSCP because the dKH is so exaggerated. I keep my params stable (Alkalinity at 10) by dosing 2-part and don't need a salt mix with 25% higher Alk to 'boost' my params. As such, I went for a salt mix that was spot on with my elements, D-D H2Ocean Mag Pro PLUS, because it mixes to the level in which I normally keep my tank. I just match the temp, then WC (20%) and everything's happy, PE still going on, nothing retracted, etc.

[music4life87]

So is it a bad thing if I switch salt mixes? after I finsh off this bag I want to try something else. But if that does not work is it a problem if I keep trying different salts until I find something that I like?

[LebaneseDlight]

don't just switch (unless you don't have sensitive corals). Do a 80% old/20% new salt combo WC, then slowly decrease the ratio of old mix to new mix in subsequent WCs.

[music4life87]

Yeah its just one fish for now. I just want to make sure all my parameters are good to go first before I put any coral in there.

[CJJon]

Just make sure to match salinity and you should be fine with the one fish.

[Pancetta]

Everybody has a favorite salt mix. I have seen this debated online several times before.

Reminds me of going on car care sites and seeing people discuss what motor oil is best.

 

Try a couple different brands and then go with the one works best for you.

[BulkRate]

Everybody's got an opinion - best advice I've gotten on this subject so far is figure out what parameters you're trying to maintain and then choose a salt that consistently mixes up to it or at least hits the major parameters you don't want to have to dose for.

 

I've tried a couple different mixes over the past few years - Seachem Reef, Salinity (also Seachem) & IO's Reef Crystals. I personally have had better results with the latter - but whether that's due to a IO having a "better" mix versus becoming more diligent wrt tank maintenance & water changes on my part is up for debate. You could have the most incredible salt mix on the planet, and it'll do nothing for your tank if it just sits in its bucket.

 

I've heard nothing but good things about HW MarineMix Reefer, which I plan to switch over to later this summer when my current container of Reef Crystals is likely to run low.

 

EDIT: This is one of those times when a local area reefer's club is invaluable - chances are SOMEONE's running with the salt you're interested in and will usually trade/sell/donate you a sample quantity to try out. Heck, a good number of the folks I've met & had dealings with in mine will do so for a beer and a thank-you.