justinskym51 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 So i'm looking at different sea salt mixes for reefs on marinedepot.com and have come to the conclusion that there are lots of them! I'm reading the reviews for each and all seem to have people that love it and hate it! Which sea salt do you pro's on here recommend for a reef tank? Thanks for the help! Link to comment
clownfish05 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I use Instant Ocean Link to comment
disaster999 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 very controversial topic. each person have their own preference in salts. one salt might work with one person...but sucks for the other. some of the common salts are instant ocean, red sea pro, reef crystal, coralife, some of the common high end salts are DD H2O, tropic marine pro, and some german brands. i would start of using the common salt ive mentioned and see if you like the salt and if the corals like it. then if you feel the salt is lacking something (low calc, mag, alk etc), or you just want to try out something different, you can try out the high end salts and see if it has any effects on them. Link to comment
Payara Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 A decent study of varying salt mixes available http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1 Link to comment
dilbert Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Another paper on marine salts is this one: http://aquariumwatertesting.com/AWT_Salt_Analysis_0208.pdf But be aware that batches of salt change even for the same brand. It's only a snapshot or in best case a rough picture. I'm doing my own tests on every new bucket. Especially, if phosphates are too high, I'm using that salt for the brackish tank. Link to comment
fishy1 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 D-D H20CEAN SALT FOR ME!!! Link to comment
Nick's Reef Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 D-D H20CEAN SALT FOR ME!!! +1 Link to comment
GioReef Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Instant Ocean and coralife 50/50 mix for me. Link to comment
beeker Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 +1 d-d h20 Ocean best salt i've ever used Link to comment
vangvace Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 very controversial topic. each person have their own preference in salts. one salt might work with one person...but sucks for the other. some of the common salts are instant ocean, red sea pro, reef crystal, coralife, some of the common high end salts are DD H2O, tropic marine pro, and some german brands. i would start of using the common salt ive mentioned and see if you like the salt and if the corals like it. then if you feel the salt is lacking something (low calc, mag, alk etc), or you just want to try out something different, you can try out the high end salts and see if it has any effects on them. Best answer, even if it's not the one you want to hear. A decent study of varying salt mixes available http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1 A little outdated, but a good read. Another paper on marine salts is this one: http://aquariumwatertesting.com/AWT_Salt_Analysis_0208.pdf But be aware that batches of salt change even for the same brand. It's only a snapshot or in best case a rough picture. I'm doing my own tests on every new bucket. Especially, if phosphates are too high, I'm using that salt for the brackish tank. AWT's testing methods have raised questions about the validity of the report. Just FYI. I'm going to add this thread into the mix as well because it will give you an idea of the big three's levels. (Alk, Mg, and Ca) To continue with what Disaster said, imo there really is no wrong salt mix to use. Some will just require more dosing than others depending on your tank's inhabitants. Link to comment
Jason7504 Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I used tropic marin pro but it has lower alk levels..im going to get seachem reef crystals because it seems the most balanced with high ca, mg and alk.. Link to comment
Crippler Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I have been using TM Pro for over a yr now and I love it. Bumping the Alk up, if needed, is simple and less costly then dosing Ca or Mg. My fellow reef club members thought I was nuts paying for a high end salt. They all used various brands of salts and have tried everything out there. But as the year has passed, they have all moved to TM Pro (for one reason or another) and have seen great results since. Just my 2 cents/ Link to comment
Jason7504 Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I have been using TM Pro for over a yr now and I love it. Bumping the Alk up, if needed, is simple and less costly then dosing Ca or Mg. My fellow reef club members thought I was nuts paying for a high end salt. They all used various brands of salts and have tried everything out there. But as the year has passed, they have all moved to TM Pro (for one reason or another) and have seen great results since. Just my 2 cents/ well i dont see why its a high end salt..it doesn't seem to be that much different than others..but it has low alk..seachem reef has high ca, mg and alk..so why isn't that a high end? Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I've had great luck with Oceanic, see no reason to change. Link to comment
hazmat Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I use Red Sea Coral Pro but I'm switching with the new tank. I am CONSTANTLY dosing mag and alk to my tank. Maybe it's not the salt but I'm going to try the Dh20 because of the increased mag level. Again...everyone is going to have a different opinion. This thread will make you just as confused! Edit: oooo, that's a good thread Vangvace put up there. The seachem salts look really good on the big 3 too. Hmmmmm. Link to comment
BKtomodachi Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I've had great luck with Oceanic, see no reason to change. Link to comment
psykobowler Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 well i dont see why its a high end salt..it doesn't seem to be that much different than others..but it has low alk..seachem reef has high ca, mg and alk..so why isn't that a high end? FYI, at least 4 or 5 lfs in Sacramento carries seachem reef salt. I buy it because they sell it to me for $32 a bucket - reef not the marine salt. It does have good reviews and tested high on a lot of the goodies. I wouldn't want anybody to consider it high end otherwise the lfs will jack up the price on a good salt brand. Link to comment
Crippler Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 well i dont see why its a high end salt..it doesn't seem to be that much different than others..but it has low alk..seachem reef has high ca, mg and alk..so why isn't that a high end? I probably should have said 'expensive' instead. It's more of a specialty salt I guess, the alk is low by design for people running Ca reactors or using Kalk. Link to comment
TheKingInYellow Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 TM Pro Reef here... Well balanced salt. Link to comment
hazmat Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I probably should have said 'expensive' instead. It's more of a specialty salt I guess, the alk is low by design for people running Ca reactors or using Kalk. I'm not debating but are you talking about Seachem? Because their alk is 10 which is pretty good. Red Sea Coral Pro is 7 and I'm always fighting that!! Link to comment
Crippler Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I'm not debating but are you talking about Seachem? Because their alk is 10 which is pretty good. Red Sea Coral Pro is 7 and I'm always fighting that!! No, Tropic Marin Pro. Link to comment
marinekeeper Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I use Deep Ocean and it is the luv! I used to use Instant Ocean, but through recommendation of my wholesaler, I switched to this and seen nothing but goodness. One thing he did say about IO is that they have old style mixers and their salt batches are very inconsistent. He quit carrying IO and strated with the Deep Ocean. Link to comment
Kraylen Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Red Sea Pro... I used to rinse off pretzels in RODI back in the day. Link to comment
itzclayyo Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I use IO but I'm lookin into switching. Calcium and alk levels are off for me. Link to comment
zook Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 TM Pro + dripping Kalk = perfect for me. Link to comment
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