Help me pick my new salt!

[FlameangelLover]

Okay so i have a 40G breeder and i do weekly water changes. I currently use reef crystals but the alk is 9-10 and i have noticed my tank looks much better with a alk closer to 8. I also do not dose because I don’t have a highly stocked tank and i do weekly water changes

SALT 1: TROPIC MARIN -Best salt i heard but alk is super low. I can always use sodium bicarbonate to boost it to 8 though, has a bunch of trace elements

SALT 2: Red Sea blue bucket . Alk mixes around 8 which is where i want it but I don’t know if it has the trace elements i would like for my Gonipora and other harder corals i have

 

[JumboShrimp]

Great for Fish AND Popcorn️

 

[SpSDrew]

I would go with whichever is easily available to you locally or online for quick pickup/delivery if needed.

If your tank is not heavily stocked I wouldn’t be to worried about trace elements just quite yet.

 

[Gsponi]

Fauna Marin

 

[EricR]

I like Fritz RPM regular/blue.
Parameters are similar to Red Sea blue bucket but cheaper.
*I just watch for sales but even full price it's not too expensive (IMO)

 

[Fish Fan]

Maybe take a look at AquaForest Sea Salt or their Reef Salt. They are reasonably priced, and mix easily, without residue in the mixing bucket, like Instant Ocean salts.

Good luck!

 

[Blitheran]

I use reef crystals :)

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Okay so i have a 40G breeder and i do weekly water changes. I currently use reef crystals but the alk is 9-10 and i have noticed my tank looks much better with a alk closer to 8. I also do not dose because I don’t have a highly stocked tank and i do weekly water changes

SALT 1: TROPIC MARIN -Best salt i heard but alk is super low. I can always use sodium bicarbonate to boost it to 8 though, has a bunch of trace elements

SALT 2: Red Sea blue bucket . Alk mixes around 8 which is where i want it but I don’t know if it has the trace elements i would like for my Gonipora and other harder corals i have

Both good choices. Just avoid Nyos Pure!

 

[KrisReef]

These Pick my salt threads, why did so many offer salt 3 that wasn't in the original list?

Anyway, to answer the question, the salt #1 seems to be more reliable according to peoples past postings regarding either #1 or #2, and also according to my personal experience with #2 found that it didn't routinely mix up to match the parameters listed on the label, even when mixing the entire box at a LFS that used #2 for a while.

I don't know why, is it more prone to suffering moisture exposure than #1, or does it sit longer for folks who report low dKh values?

 

[exnisstech]

Do you want to have to fiddle with matching alk on every batch of water? If you don't mind then #1 . If you mind then #2. I can't comment on trace element because all I've ever used is IO purple and I don't do ICP so it the ignorance is bliss mentality for me.

 

[EnterName]

Both good choices. Just avoid Nyos Pure!

Can you elaborate why you don't like Nyos Pure?

 

[slingfox]

Nyos Pure is the salt with most new traction. Than from Tidal Gardens, Kenny from Pieces of the Ocean, and Mike Palleta have all switched to Nyos Pure in the last 9 months or so. You can search this board for the threads on those switches.

I used to use Red Sea Blue Bucket then switched to Tropic Marine and am now with Nyos Pure.

 

[EnterName]

Nyos Pure is the salt with most new traction. Than from Tidal Gardens, Kenny from Pieces of the Ocean, and Mike Palleta have all switched to Nyos Pure in the last 9 months or so. You can search this board for the threads on those switches.

I used to use Red Sea Blue Bucket then switched to Tropic Marine and am now with Nyos Pure.

I'm using Nyos Pure as well without issues so far. Mixes fast and clean, ICP test included, natural parameters so I can actually effectively reduce stuff that's present in excessive amounts and can scale up what I want to have a bit more of in my tank. So far I couldn't be happier, but to be honest: As long as the parameters match what the instruction say, I'm happy.

 

[oakcityreefer]

If you make me pick from your choices I would go with Tropic Marin all day. I have never used Red Sea salt but I don't trust anything sold by Red Sea.

If you let me choose outside of your two I would tell you go with Nyos Pure. Just got my first ICP test back and parameters are in line with exactly what's listed on the bucket.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Can you elaborate why you don't like Nyos Pure?

I love my Nyos Pure. I was just increasing the chances of it being in stock when I need it.

 

[EnterName]

I love my Nyos Pure. I was just increasing the chances of it being in stock when I need it.

Oh yeah, erhm I mean. I totally hate Nyos Pure, don't use it guys and gals!

 

[rtparty]

Tropic Marin from those two choices

 

[TylerHaworth]

TM gets my vote

 

[FlameangelLover]

These Pick my salt threads, why did so many offer salt 3 that wasn't in the original list?

Anyway, to answer the question, the salt #1 seems to be more reliable according to peoples past postings regarding either #1 or #2, and also according to my personal experience with #2 found that it didn't routinely mix up to match the parameters listed on the label, even when mixing the entire box at a LFS that used #2 for a while.

I don't know why, is it more prone to suffering moisture exposure than #1, or does it sit longer for folks who report low dKh values?

lol thank you this comment was very helpful! I ended up going the Red Sea route because I didn’t want to fiddle with my alk every water change. So I’ll have to deal with the inconsistencies

 

[FlameangelLover]

Do you want to have to fiddle with matching alk on every batch of water? If you don't mind then #1 . If you mind then #2. I can't comment on trace element because all I've ever used is IO purple and I don't do ICP so it the ignorance is bliss mentality for me.

This was the most helpful comment and honestly the comment I used to fuel my decision. Long story short I hate water change day and I don’t want to add another thing to the process