What salt do you use?

[alrha]

switching to Seachem's Reef Salt

 

[jackson6745]

switching to Seachem's Reef Salt

How come?

 

[ShaunW]

My vote was for none of the above. Mixing salt drives me nuts! I use Real Ocean which is...filtered real ocean. From the Cantalina company. Nobody makes saltwater better than Mother Nature. Found it not to be that much more expensive after adding up the cost of salt and source water and time it takes to give it O2, make sure pH is ok, etc.

How big is your tank? and how many gallons is your water changes?

 

[alrha]

How come?

1) i like all their products and would love to try their salt, it seems good
2) the added borate sounds like a good thing
3) TM Pro-Reef (current salt) has low alk

 

[mshur]

albert,
low alk is good...if alk goes over 10, this will cause of srn from the base ...
i keep mine around 8 and there is no problem with sps corals..

mike

 

[Sean]

hey alrha

sea chem salt is instant ocean salt with some marine buffer in it. fyi
shhhhh.... sea chem = instant ocean

 

[Dave ESPI]

MOB RULES MENTALITY.

If everyone danced the hokey pokey, and the "hokey pokey" was the most common dance because it is easy, and cheap to do, then the majority of people do that dance.

It is not a "popularity" contest as to what is the best salt....... I really dislike this "poll" topic everytime I see one.

The inhabitants REQUIRE the BEST in their false environment. Just because somethign is commonly used does not mean it is the best for them.

Things are expensive due to quality and craftsmanship that go into them. Soemthings are over rated... A Ferrari will get you to work just as well as a Ford, and they both run on the same principle mechanics, but there is a world of difference.

Using a better grade of ANYTHING is more expensive ( like gasoline ) but the results of a better product in the end is the ultimate reward.

I use Tropicmarin or Aquacraft BIO-SEA. I have tried all the rest on the list, and after 10 years, I will use only these two with any longjevity and steady consistance in over 40 tanks that I took care of in the past, and presently in the show reefs I have in my personal collection and a few select clients. My tank has spawned many cycles of various corals, and my mated pair of tomato clowns are laying and hatching sucessfull broods of eggs. I'd say that is a good thing,and my Micro fauna/and flora is thriving as always with very little drop off on populations. and mytnak has been running nearly 5 years untouched with only a skimmer, powerheads, 250 w MH/ 2 32 W pc 03's and live rock w a plennumn and mixed sized bed of aragonite cc, reef rubble and sand and RODI water w 5 gal worth of water changes about every month and normal topping off. Salinity is at 1.025
people can use "what works" , or they can use what is best, and tool around in a ferrari rather than aFord... personaly... I'd rather have a Ferrari



but hay... if you can't afford the " MAINTAINANCE COST" of a reef, I guess you will always just want a Ford.

 

[ShaunW]

I agree with you on Bio-sea! it works well for me. It is correctly buffered with Mg and prevents large pH swings.

 

[Deanos]

Using a better grade of ANYTHING is more expensive ( like gasoline ) but the results of a better product in the end is the ultimate reward.

Not always true. Many cars won't get any better performance by using a higher premium gasoline; it would simply be money wasted in those cases. I'd imagine reefs are the same way. Not every reef tank is built like a Ferrari. I happen to have a Ford reef tank and don't require all the calcium and trace elements in a more expensive salt. My maintence costs have focused on providing my coral with the maximum light possible. I obviously haven't proven my way works over the course of 5 years like you have, but other IO users have.

My tank has spawned many cycles of various corals, and my mated pair of tomato clowns are laying and hatching sucessfull broods of eggs. I'd say that is a good thing,and my Micro fauna/and flora is thriving as always with very little drop off on populations. and mytnak has been running nearly 5 years untouched sans a shiller, powerheads, 250 w MH/ 2 32 W pc 03's and live rock w a plennumn and mixed sized bed of aragonite cc, reef rubble and sand.

Are you implying your clowns would not spawn using an "inferior" octane salt? And that your pods, etc would have wild population swings? I beg to differ.

Dean

p.s. Why would I want a Ferrari, when my Bimmer does the same job in NYC using less gas :icon16:?

 

[alrha]

sea chem salt is instant ocean salt with some marine buffer in it. fyi
shhhhh.... sea chem = instant ocean

why do you say that?

it is actually buffered with Borate which helps keep carbonates (alk) up.

 

[Irisservice]

Tropic Marin pro-reef..
I switch from 60/40 of oceanic and IO which worked well but the Tropic Marin mixes real fast and clean...

 

[fritz]

How about "I don't use salt you incensative clod!"
or a CowboyNeal option?

oops wrong site.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Other here

 

[gc9n]

When you mix the water with salt do you let it for 24 hours with a powerhead , and then you introduced it to the tank ?

 

[meschaefer]

When you mix the water with salt do you let it for 24 hours with a powerhead , and then you introduced it to the tank ?

I think that most people do. I usually make up a salt water, throw a powerhead into the bucket and let it sit overnight. This way I am sure that the salt if completely disolved and that the water is well oxygenated.

 

[e.muehlbauer]

I used to do that when I first started with SW...eventually lost patience. Now I just mix it up thoroughly with my arm and change the water...no ill effects, no problems, ever....Take care, Eric

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

:bump:

 

[crox99]

I use RC but IMO it sucks. When the bucket is finish I am going to switch to Tropic Marin Pro.

 

[Wes]

i switched from Tropic Marin Pro to Red Sea Coral Pro a while back and like it alot...Plus it's cheaper

 

[mavgi]

I use it, and like it. I haven't noticed any increase in phosphate (it is undetectable in my tank) or algae break out.

Who spread the rumor/story?

last time i test this salt i find high PO4 in it . did you test it i the backet ?

i also find high PO4 im TMP reef and in RC (i am using TMP reef this salt but will change it again)

i make all the test in the bucket before and after mixing the salt :

before : 0.00 PO4 after mixing : highPO4

test it with : elos , salifert , instant ocean test kit in all those 3 i find PO4.

unfortunately i find there is PO4 in thosse type of salt and i don't think they worth the price. next i want to try the NEW Reefer's Best Salt hope it's will be good .

Wes: did you test PO4 in the Red Sea Coral Pro ?