What SALT Mix ?

NYer · 07-29-2006, 08:05 PM

The guy I bought my tank from gave me some Carib Sea? or something like that.

I am betting it is not good to mix brands so what is good to use , and how is this carib sea stuff ?

is_that_a_fish · 07-29-2006, 08:12 PM

carib sea isnt to bad, i use instant ocean because its cheap and works. The GA aquarium uses Instant ocean and they have whales and stuff so if this stuff sucked i doubt they would be using it. Most people who care about salt are people with lots of corals who want proper nutrient levels, but that can still be accomplished with additives, i have corals and fish and they all dont really mind Instant ocean, but i personally havent used carib sea so i wouldnt know specifics. IF the salt is clumped together i wouldnt use it cuz sometimes all of it doesnt dissolve

ReelFreak · 07-29-2006, 09:43 PM

I use the Reef Crystals by Instant Ocean, becuase of elevated Calcium and Magnesium levels. I drip Kalk to maintain Ca/Alk levels and will add a little C Balance to bump them up....Works well for me.

To get the tank started, use what you have.....When it's time to buy more then consider what your plans for the tank are (corals if I remember) and start using an appropriate salt.

I think IO and Oceanic are a couple of the more popular salts because of price and consistency (although bad batches can happen). I am really wanting to try the Tropic Marin Pro salt, users swear by it....it will cost about 10 cents more a gallon from the others.

I think for now, use what they gave you....when its gone and you've read a bunch of threads on salt, make your choice.

Good luck w/ the new tank, keep us posted with Pictures!!!

Timmy77 · 07-29-2006, 10:12 PM

My local LFS recommends using different types. That way you get the best from all of them.

NYer · 07-29-2006, 10:22 PM

If I were to use just one what has the most helpful things for full coral tank ??

Requiring least additives ?

VWD · 07-29-2006, 10:30 PM

Reef Crystals and Instant Ocean, I mix it most the time to save alittle, I have also used Kent salt.

whatevva · 07-30-2006, 05:56 AM

I use Tropic Marin Pro Reef and have no issues with it, except that I like to run my Alk higher than normal so I use a bit of Kent SuperBuffer to adjust. I used to mix Oceanic and IO, and it seemed to balance very well, but there was no real way to know what the levels of trace materials were at. IO, by itself, is very low on Calcium.

HowardX · 07-30-2006, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYer

If I were to use just one what has the most helpful things for full coral tank ??

Requiring least additives ?

I would give either Seachem Reef Salt or Tropic Marin Pro a try, both are excellent in my opinion.

Casey · 07-30-2006, 06:39 AM

I use Io and Rc mixed cheaper that way.

abigtroutt · 07-30-2006, 07:28 AM

I was using Oceanic but switched to Red Sea for RO/DI water....they say it replaces the good minerals the RO/DI takes out and it has a higher calcium level 450 ppm at a salt level of 1.023 and 480 ppm for salt of 1.025. I've been using for a month and tank seems to like it.....

ReelFreak · 07-30-2006, 12:33 PM

Those who mix IO and RC....you have seen that Dr F&S has RC on sale for 34.99 right now with no extra freight charges?!?! I stopped using IO a couple buckets ago, and use RC only at that price....

I will be trying Tropic Marin Pro for my next bucket though....So NYer, I would say if the extra $$ up front isn't an issue for and extra 10cents per gallon I would go with the Tropic Marin Pro.