Best salt in 2025?

[Miami Reef]

I’d like to resume regular water changes in-house instead of depending on NSW deliveries sporadically.

I’ve primarily used IO Purple in the past because it was one of the most affordable options with a proven track record.

Now that the prices have increased, I’m curious if there are any competing options worth considering.


My tank is large, so I’d like to save on salt. I still want the brand to be reliable and good quality. Quality is the top priority, with price coming in as a close second.

What is the best salt in 2025?

 

[exnisstech]

I have no idea which is best but im sticking with IO purple. It's worked for 9 years so I see no reason to switch even if the price has increased.

 

[Tinnerito]

I have no idea which is best but im sticking with IO purple. It's worked for 9 years years so I see no reason to switch even if the price has increased.

Same here. Not that much feedback on other salt types so IO has just been the most reliable option.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Like a few of you - I buy good old Instant Ocean (purple) - I even take the "hard" boxes or bags at a discount. No reason to switch, it is the cheapest option even if I don't do water changes and just use it for makeup purposes.

 

[spsick]

I stick with Red Sea blue in the 200g sack. Aquaforest is a bit cheaper if you get it on sale, but I’ve never have a single batch of Red Sea deviate from their range of parameters in 10 years so I don’t try to fix something that isn’t broken.

 

[JoJosReef]

I've been using Fritz Blue Box. No problems, but a bit of precipitate that sticks to the mixing powerhead. I've been thinking of trying AF salt since I hear that mixes clear. TM for me is a no-go since 1) price, 2) availability.

 

[skey44]

I like Tropic Marin Pro. Parameters are all in line with my goal parameters, tank inhabitants respond well, and leaves my brutes clean/mixes really fast. Has been reliably consistent between buckets for me.
I’ve used a lot of different salts with success, and I’m not trying to convince you. Just hands on it’s on another level. You pay for the premium though. My water changes are relatively small though with a 80 gallon display. If I was doing serial WC on a tank over 200ga I’m sure the economy would play a bigger deal. Also TM does run season sales where they do a decent discount, I just swing by my LFS when it’s on discount and they honor it. I bought two buckets and a big AFR powder on Black Friday! Almost time for another bucket.

 

[Danjoethepirate]

Aquaforest sea salt, relatively cheap and mixes to fine parameters. Was using io but wanted to change and it was on sale. No precipitate on my bucket and was cheaper than io when I bought it.

 

[C_AWOL]

Don't see a good reason for me to switch from instant ocean unless the price exceeds that of another brand that is similarly consistent.

 

[jimk60]

I've never used any salt for the last fifteen years other than reef crystals and have always been happy with it. I think after this bucket I'll go to the io purple.

 

[Miami Reef]

Where are you guys buying the 200 gal IO Purple?

I only see Reef Crystals 200 gal on Chewy and Amazon. The purple is nowhere to be found.

Is there a price difference long term between the bucket and box? I haven’t worked out the math.

 

[Miami Reef]

Hi @Randy Holmes-Farley

I ordered the Reef Crystals yesterday because I couldn’t find the purple box.

I don’t mind the high alk. My tank runs it naturally.

I think I’ve read that it contains vitamins. What effect does vitamins have in salt and why should we care about vitamins? Is there an export for them once in the tank?

Is there any other difference between reef crystals vs purple besides for the high alk?

 

[Tamberav]

I’d like to resume regular water changes in-house instead of depending on NSW deliveries sporadically.

I’ve primarily used IO Purple in the past because it was one of the most affordable options with a proven track record.

Now that the prices have increased, I’m curious if there are any competing options worth considering.


My tank is large, so I’d like to save on salt. I still want the brand to be reliable and good quality. Quality is the top priority, with price coming in as a close second.

What is the best salt in 2025?

Probably ESV salt since it comes in 4 parts, don't see how one could be more consistent than that.

Downside is you need to weigh it out on scales and such. It is more involved than x scoops. Won't make your container dirty though.

 

[C_AWOL]

Where are you guys buying the 200 gal IO Purple?

I only see Reef Crystals 200 gal on Chewy and Amazon. The purple is nowhere to be found.

Is there a price difference long term between the bucket and box? I haven’t worked out the math.

I typically buy them from my lfs for ~55 a box when I buy at least a pallet worth during their ordering period

If I need a few boxes to get me by before that window then I just buy from amazon/chewy/petco depending on who has the lowest price (as of the time of this post amazon is the lowest at 56.90)

Going by online prices of 52 for a bucket vs 57 for a box
Bucket: $0.325 per gallon + re-usable good quality bucket
Box: $0.285 per gallon

If you feel like you need a few buckets with great lids then grab a few IO purple buckets otherwise the box is a pretty big savings if you use a lot of salt water.

 

[exnisstech]

Where are you guys buying the 200 gal IO Purple?

I only see Reef Crystals 200 gal on Chewy and Amazon. The purple is nowhere to be found.

Is there a price difference long term between the bucket and box? I haven’t worked out the math.

I normally buy it where its cheapest. I use Auto ship at Petco sometimes and then cancel. Chewy has boxes and I just received a code dor $30 off $100 so I'm going to order 2. I bought a box at my LFS last time up I think dor $53

 

[rtparty]

If quality is number 1, neither IO salt even cracks the top 10 for me

If going off price alone, then IO purple is my choice if you can find it on a deal

If you want the absolute cleanest and most consistent, probably ESV. It really is the best way to go about it. As of late, their pricing is very fair as well. You can get the 200 gallon refill for like $100. That’s only $0.50 a gallon.

If you want a premixed powder, then NYOS and TM Pro are my go to

 

[00W]

I've been using the purple bucket forever.
I've always told myself there has to be something better.
Why are there so many companies making salt, especially a lot more expensive.
Those have to be better, right?
I change a lot of water.
Recently I bought, tried and used 4 different salts.
I'm not going to go over the why, what and how come but today I just went back to the purple bucket and I'm much happier.
Picked up a bucket on chewy for $35, repeat delivery $52 every 2 months.
That's half of what I just paid for the others.

 

[PPBlimpy]

i use fritz rpm in the blue box. 200g box is $86 at my LFS. mixes well. just set up my 300g with it and had been running it in my 125 previously

 

[BZOFIQ]

IO if you value your money, its a very good salt mix. Yes your mixing bin may get crud left behind which doesn't really matter. From batch to batch the crud may be dusting of white or layer of brown crud. Either doesn't affect final quality of the mixed water.

ESV, if you can afford it, its the best salt out there in my opinion. It's crystal clear 30 seconds after you mix it with perfect params if you follow the chart with a scale in hand.

 

[Miami Reef]

I normally buy it where its cheapest. I use Auto ship at Petco sometimes and then cancel. Chewy has boxes and I just received a code dor $30 off $100 so I'm going to order 2. I bought a box at my LFS last time up I think dor $53

Thanks. I didn’t realize there was an option to select the size.

The picture and price on the website was for the bucket. I didn’t try clicking on it until now.