Getting my Own RO DI system and Salt? What Salt to choose?

[David100]

Hi All,
I have finally decided to get a RO-DI system set up and stop relying on my LFS for water.

I have a few questions though.

My Stocking is for my 130L Tanks:

2 Clownfish
1 Peppermint shrimp
Various Snails 10 Or So
Various Hermits 5 or so
Corals:
1 Hammer with 5-6 Heads
2 Leathers
1 Pally

I plan to add some zoas in the future and maybe a few other basic corals, and a few more fish too.

I am budget conscious however I am looking for a salt that will fit my needs.

I am unsure what Calc-Mag-Alk I need/want for my tank. I just want to keep everything happy.

From what I can see TMC seems to make the clearest Salt mix. SO My 3 choices are:

Tropic Marin Reef Salt (Budget)​

KH: 7-8 °dH
Ca: 420-440 mg/l
Mg: 1300 – 1400 mg/l
K: 400 – 420 mg/l

Tropic Marin Classic Sea Salt (Mid Range)
9-10° KH,
calcium approx. 380 ppm,
magnesium approx. 1260 ppm

Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt (High End)​

7 DKH
440 calcium
1350 magnesium


What salt do you think would fit my needs?
I'm leaning towards the Budget option as it seems ok for the price.
Does anyone have any experience with this salt?​

​

 

[Fish Styx]

If you just plan on keeping simple softies and are budget conscious, just go with IO. Yes, TM mixes clear, but I just switched away from TM PR to Fritz RPM because their batches have been too inconsistent, even after the Turkish plant debacle.

 

[piranhaman00]

Instant ocean purple box is the best salt and cheapest it, mixes within minutes with no residue. I don’t understand why anyone uses anything else.

I hear bad things about all other salt but IO.

 

[Lps_lover12]

Agree with the others is just use IO, I use reef crystals not the purple box but both of them are good in my opinion

 

[Bruttall]

Instant Ocean Reef Salt, chewy delivers it to my door for about 55 bucks US. makes 200 gallons. And with what you have in your tank, IO Reef would provide for all your needs without having to dose.

 

[MinnieMouse2]

I am using natural salt out of the Sea of Cortez. I just started using it heavier. Before that I did Instant Ocean for price. I want to try natural salt out of the ocean. https://www.sea-90.com/products/sea-90-ocean-life-complete-sea-salt?variant=44406037971230

 

[sfin52]

Get what is easy to get your hands on. If you have an emergency and run out of salt it's nice to get your hands on some quick.
Thats why I use reef crystals. Easy to find and the stores around me carry it.

 

[Dburr1014]

Hi All,
I have finally decided to get a RO-DI system set up and stop relying on my LFS for water.

I have a few questions though.

My Stocking is for my 130L Tanks:

2 Clownfish
1 Peppermint shrimp
Various Snails 10 Or So
Various Hermits 5 or so
Corals:
1 Hammer with 5-6 Heads
2 Leathers
1 Pally

I plan to add some zoas in the future and maybe a few other basic corals, and a few more fish too.

I am budget conscious however I am looking for a salt that will fit my needs.

I am unsure what Calc-Mag-Alk I need/want for my tank. I just want to keep everything happy.

From what I can see TMC seems to make the clearest Salt mix. SO My 3 choices are:

Tropic Marin Reef Salt (Budget)​

KH: 7-8 °dH
Ca: 420-440 mg/l
Mg: 1300 – 1400 mg/l
K: 400 – 420 mg/l

Tropic Marin Classic Sea Salt (Mid Range)
9-10° KH,
calcium approx. 380 ppm,
magnesium approx. 1260 ppm

Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt (High End)​

7 DKH
440 calcium
1350 magnesium


What salt do you think would fit my needs?
I'm leaning towards the Budget option as it seems ok for the price.
Does anyone have any experience with this salt?​

​

Where do you live? Europe?
IO is my go to salt but it is more expensive in Europe.

@sfin52 had the best answer. One you can get that's readily available to you in a pinch.
The TM budget salt looks like a fine choice if you like that one.

 

[V A R I A N T]

Get what is easy to get your hands on. If you have an emergency and run out of salt it's nice to get your hands on some quick.
Thats why I use reef crystals. Easy to find and the stores around me carry it.

^ ^ ^ T H I S ^ ^ ^

 

[face]

I always choose the cheapest one. then after cycling you test everything some of it is going to be way off no matter which brand you choose.

 

[David100]

I always choose the cheapest one. then after cycling you test everything some of it is going to be way off no matter which brand you choose.

This really puzzles me! These salts arent super cheap? You would thing they would be tested at the factory per batch or something to ensure good quality? Allot of reefers mention Bad batches or inconsistencies. I am from the UK so TMC seemed to be a ok option for me, I will likely order my salt as my LFS only stocks Red Sea Salt & Pro and TMC Pro, Classic, and H2O ocean.
Are there any UK reefers that have a good supplier they order from? Or do you just pick up your salt from your LFS? It seems like IO seems to be the best choice overall for a mixed reef of fish and basic corals.

 

[Orito]

I would go for the tropic reef salt, cheap and good parameters

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

This really puzzles me! These salts arent super cheap? You would thing they would be tested at the factory per batch or something to ensure good quality? Allot of reefers mention Bad batches or inconsistencies. I am from the UK so TMC seemed to be a ok option for me, I will likely order my salt as my LFS only stocks Red Sea Salt & Pro and TMC Pro, Classic , and H2O ocean.

Red sea blue bucket is awesome salt imo if that's local I wouldn't look any further.

I use r.s blue

 

[Dburr1014]

This really puzzles me! These salts arent super cheap? You would thing they would be tested at the factory per batch or something to ensure good quality? Allot of reefers mention Bad batches or inconsistencies. I am from the UK so TMC seemed to be a ok option for me, I will likely order my salt as my LFS only stocks Red Sea Salt & Pro and TMC Pro, Classic, and H2O ocean.
Are there any UK reefers that have a good supplier they order from? Or do you just pick up your salt from your LFS? It seems like IO seems to be the best choice overall for a mixed reef of fish and basic corals.

Salts will settle out so it's a good habit to mix by rolling the bucket around before use.