LET'S GET SALTY: What's a FAIR price for salt and what are you using in 2020?

[saltyhog]

I've used IO, Reef Crystals, Fritz RPM, Brightwell Neomarine, and HW Reefer in the past but have been using Red Sea blue bucket for the last 6 months or so and don't see me changing in the future. The parameters are very close to what I run my tank.

 

[Topekoms]

Tropic Marin Pro

 

[MartinWaite]

I use Quantum probiotic SPS salt it's the quickest and cleanest salt I've ever used every pack/bucket is exactly the same and it dissolves as quick as I pour it in the water my corals and fish love it. In over 35 years I've never had a better salt.

 

[LC8Sumi]

I switched to Tropic Marin Pro after watching the BRS video series on salt mixes. I was seeking something that would mix easier and leave less residue for me to cleanup.

I was using IO Reef Crystals for years and then running my RO through a 5micron filter to get rid of the nasty brown gunk that was always floating around and eventually sticking to my mixing container. I loved the low price and being able to easily get it same-day on Amazon.

Is the Tropic Marin Pro worth the extra $50/bucket which translates to $50/month for me? I'm not financially strapped and would rather spend my time being obsessive about something else on my tank than recleaning my clean salt water, so yes!

 

[Zindebaad]

Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt mix @ $98.88 to make 200 gallons. Mixes so quickly and has improved coral growth in 3 aquariums.

 

[Pntbll687]

Curious -25$ for 'what'

200 gal box of regular instant ocean

 

[yak85]

I usually by the 200g box mix of reef crystals when I need it, but I just bought 55 50g bags for $500 from someone who took his tanks down to move out of state. I usually watch whose taking down tanks and selling their left over reef crystals or instant ocean. Just 6 months ago I bought 4 1/2 buckets for $100 the same way.

 

[McPuff]

I used to use Salinity and was happy with it. Once I went to the 300 I figured I'd try Reef Crystals again. It's been 3.5 years and I never noticed any difference in my corals. Since I run a reactor I don't really worry too much about the parameters in the salt mix. I don't have to do water changes very often... probably 10% per month. And the levels are pretty much where I need them to be anyway. So for me, it works well.

 

[Quietman]

HW Reefer...bit higher price per gallon, but parameters are close to where I want or slightly below. Saltwater storage stays relatively clean, mixes quick for emergencies. No illusions that it's really better than anything else, but started with it, and unless I see some clear advantage - it isn't worth the few dollars a month savings to shift over. Maybe when my alk consumption goes higher...maybe not.

 

[TVV]

Red Sea Coral Pro, switched from Fritz after seeing many reviews and reading that Red Sea harvests the salt from the ocean to replicate real life conditions in the tank. Sounds reasonable.

SALT and its elements is the core of the whole system. Why cheap out on the salt needed for keeping thousands of dollars of corals happy is my philosophy.

 

[ahiggins]

I buy the blue Red Sea salt in the small buckets. I use about 1 every 6-8 months. I don’t do a ton of water changes though. Never pay attention to the price because it’s a staple thing.

 

[loneboat]

I've just been using this stuff my wife keeps in the pantry - am I doing it wrong?

 

[nereefpat]

I'm shocked to see that 11-12% of reefers think up to 100$ is a fair price for salt. I guess it is a hobby, and it can be an expensive one, and a lot of people in the hobby have disposable income.

 

[zalick]

200 gal box of regular instant ocean

This is what I get. Everytime it went on sale I would buy the max amount allowed. Haven't seen the sale in awhile though.....and I need salt!

 

[Sonor]

HW Marine Reefer salt .

 

[Sonor]

Save your old buckets of salt for your HW Marine salt. Works for me.

 

[Spieg]

HW Reefer

 

[jacobreynolds6883]

Coralife Marine Salt bucket 150g for $42. It has always seemed consistent and produced good numbers.

 

[MnFish1]

I'm shocked to see that 11-12% of reefers think up to 100$ is a fair price for salt. I guess it is a hobby, and it can be an expensive one, and a lot of people in the hobby have disposable income.

Im shocked to see that you can get 200 gallons of instant ocean (regular) for $42.19. That said - It doesnt have all of the elements needed for a 'reef aquarium' - other wise - there wouldn't be a choice for 'the reef version' for 53-60$ - and the other question is what is the '160 gallons' being mixed to (i.e. what SG - most want 1.026 here)? Right?

Mine costs normally 68$ - I only get on sale - and I only get multiple buckets - but - it only makes up about 150 gallons - so like I said before the poll is hard to equalize.

 

[zalick]

Im shocked to see that you can get 200 gallons of instant ocean (regular) for $42.19. That said - It doesnt have all of the elements needed for a 'reef aquarium' - other wise - there wouldn't be a choice for 'the reef version' for 53-60$ - and the other question is what is the '160 gallons' being mixed to (i.e. what SG - most want 1.026 here)? Right?

Mine costs normally 68$ - I only get on sale - and I only get multiple buckets - but - it only makes up about 150 gallons - so like I said before the poll is hard to equalize.

I get my IO regular for $30 on sale. And TONS of people I know have been using IO exclusively for decades.