Battle of the cheap salts: Fritz RPM vs Reef Crystals

[polyppal]

Im getting ready to convert my system to an AWC-only setup, eliminating dosing altogether and allowing the salt mix to replenish cal/alk/mag/etc. Its a mostly LPS system with lower demands and I want to automate and simplify its maintenance as much as possible. Its a 68g system that I will prob initially setup to change out around 2-3g/day.

When I do this, im going to switch from RSCP to a cheaper salt - either Fritz RPM (or redline I guess) or Reef Crystals. Has anybody else been using these salts long term and have a preference? I know that both have had some consistency issues in the past, but are there any current red flags I need to know about?

 

[Sean Clark]

I voted for Fritz Redline but I hope you are planning on draining and filling and not just exchanging water and the same time. If you were to do it at the same time keeping the drain and fill as far apart as possible would be ideal.

 

[rtparty]

I don't know about Fritz but Reef Crystals doesn't store well. It won't keep its alkalinity up after a few days of storage

 

[rezaktp]

Been using reef crystals for 25+ years with no issues. I have a stock tank sump in the basement, I add 30 gallons, let it all mix for about 4 hours, then drain 30 gallons……I do this ever 5 weeks on a 180 gallon reef

 

[polyppal]

I voted for Fritz Redline but I hope you are planning on draining and filling and not just exchanging water and the same time. If you were to do it at the same time keeping the drain and fill as far apart as possible would be ideal.

yeah I had a smaller version setup on my zoa garden before with some dosing pumps - it starts filling on the right return side (AIO) and pulls from the left (filter-sock) side

 

[jkcoral]

Reef crystals here. Have used it for years and years. My first memories of saltwater tanks were of my dads snowflake eels when I was a child, he used instant ocean. Never had a problem, so never felt the need to change.

I’ve heard people say it doesn’t store well. But I’ve never had any problems with that either. Sometimes I have had buckets of salt water that I had sitting for a month or a little longer (sealed right all the way). Would just warm it up and mix it up for a little bit before using. Never any issues.

Reef crystals can “mix dirty” according to some. But I’ve not had this issue. Sometimes there is some residue on the pump. I’ve generally found that whenever any sort of precipitate or gunk or whatever would appear it was when I was mixing with a heater in it. Now I mix without a heater and just warm it up before changing the water. Also, you can put a small piece of filter floss or filter sock over the intake for the mixing pump and it’ll also get rid of any of that if you happen to experience it.

Can’t beat it for the price, goes on sale often for super cheap!

 

[polyppal]

I don't know about Fritz but Reef Crystals doesn't store well. It won't keep its alkalinity up after a few days of storage

yeah the precipitate is one of my chief concerns since hopefully I wouldn't need to mix a new batch more than once every few weeks. Not expecting either to stay at the fresh mix ratio the whole time, but ideally it wouldn't drop too much over time

 

[radfly]

RPM, very stable batches and mixes quickly.

 

[flashsmith]

Reef Crystals is the king. I've used the high end salts but I honestly can't tell a difference on any of my systems with whatever salt I use.

 

[polyppal]

Reef crystals can “mix dirty” according to some. But I’ve not had this issue. Sometimes there is some residue on the pump. I’ve generally found that whenever any sort of precipitate or gunk or whatever would appear it was when I was mixing with a heater in it. Now I mix without a heater and just warm it up before changing the water. Also, you can put a small piece of filter floss or filter sock over the intake for the mixing pump and it’ll also get rid of any of that if you happen to experience it.

Can’t beat it for the price, goes on sale often for super cheap!

Yeah I think both Fritz and RC can mix a little dirty - I have used RPM in the past, but never payed attention much to level changes after storage.

I can get either one locally for $55 a 200g box. I haven't seen RC deals better than that in the last several months online since inflation kicked up

 

[bxclent]

IO Reef Crystals here. Though last year was my first foray into corals.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I left RC back when they stopped making cola, but if those are your only choices go to I.O salts. Or do you tank a favor and stick with the salt its used to. Don't go chasing waterfalls, stick to the rivers and streams that your use tooooo

 

[polyppal]

I left RC back when they stopped making cola, but if those are your only choices go to I.O salts. Or do you tank a favor and stick with the salt its used to. Don't go chasing waterfalls, stick to the rivers and streams that your use tooooo

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

the 90's, just the best for movies and music

I love me some TLC, only thing better is a little spice girls

 

[Sean Clark]

the 90's, just the best for movies and music

I love me some TLC, only thing better is a little spice girls

You are telling me what I want, what I really really want to hear.

 

[polyppal]

the 90's, just the best for movies and music

I love me some TLC, only thing better is a little spice girls

I heard they're back on the road

 

[Sean Clark]

I've always been torn between Sporty and Scary.

 

[rtparty]

yeah the precipitate is one of my chief concerns since hopefully I wouldn't need to mix a new batch more than once every few weeks. Not expecting either to stay at the fresh mix ratio the whole time, but ideally it wouldn't drop too much over time

I misspoke and was thinking Red Sea Coral Pro with the lower alkalinity after storage.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Id go for posh, look at her now gorgeous

 

[polyppal]

I misspoke and was thinking Red Sea Coral Pro with the lower alkalinity after storage.

oh yeah I've already noticed that. My RSCP drops down to about 7 after a few weeks