New salt suggestions

[hardcorn77]

So I’m sure this is a very common ask but I’m getting ready to switch salt brands and wanted to see what others are recommending. I’ve been using Aquaforest reef salt for almost a year and can’t say I’m the happiest with it. Alkalinity is a little low for my liking in a fresh mixed batch. I’ve been keeping my Alk between 7.8 and 8 so I’m staying away from instant ocean reef crystals but have been eyeing tropic Marin classic salt since they claim alk is between 7.8 to 8 on a fresh mixed batch… thanks in advance for any replies

 

[X-37B]

I use red sea blue bucket. Alk is 8 and I run my systems at 7.5 alk.

 

[rtparty]

TM Classic mixes at between 9-10dkh with low calcium around 380ppm

What alkalinity are you getting from Aquaforest Reef Salt? It should mix right around 8dkh which is where you claim to want alkalinity? Ocean average is 6.5 to 7dkh

 

[hardcorn77]

TM Classic mixes at between 9-10dkh with low calcium around 380ppm

What alkalinity are you getting from Aquaforest Reef Salt? It should mix right around 8dkh which is where you claim to want alkalinity? Ocean average is 6.5 to 7dkh

I’m getting 7 with my Hanna checker

 

[JayM]

I use Fritz Blue box. Mainly because it mixes in the range I keep my tank and it's easy to get locally.

 

[hardcorn77]

I use red sea blue bucket. Alk is 8 and I run my systems at 7.5 alk.

Thanks for the recommendation I appreciate it

 

[hardcorn77]

I use Fritz Blue box. Mainly because it mixes in the range I keep my tank and it's easy to get locally.

Thanks for the recommendation I appreciate it. I live in a small town an hour away from a lfs so I order everything on line. I’ll look into it

 

[hardcorn77]

TM Classic mixes at between 9-10dkh with low calcium around 380ppm

What alkalinity are you getting from Aquaforest Reef Salt? It should mix right around 8dkh which is where you claim to want alkalinity? Ocean average is 6.5 to 7dkh

And I’m not against sticking with it but I’m at the end of a 10 month run of using it and figured I’d be open to looking into some other salts since it’s time to order.

 

[rtparty]

And I’m not against sticking with it but I’m at the end of a 10 month run of using it and figured I’d be open to looking into some other salts since it’s time to order.

Have you checked calcium on a new batch as well?

I suspect your salinity may be off if you’ve been getting low alkalinity the whole time from multiple batches

 

[skey44]

I’m a Tropic Marin fan but I like the Pro Reef. It’s a gold standard IMO. Mixes where I want at 8ish kH. Leaves my mixing reservoir spotless with no crud like most other salts. It’s the pretty much perfect except it’s pricey. Corals and fish thrive with it.

 

[hardcorn77]

Have you checked calcium on a new batch as well?

I suspect your salinity may be off if you’ve been getting low alkalinity the whole time from multiple batches

I did not but my calcium is normally a little on the high end dosing all for reef to keep my alk around 8. I mix to 35 with a refractometer that I normally calibrate a couple water changes. I do around 10% every 6 to 8 days.

 

[hardcorn77]

I’m a Tropic Marin fan but I like the Pro Reef. It’s a gold standard IMO. Mixes where I want at 8ish kH. Leaves my mixing reservoir spotless with no crud like most other salts. It’s the pretty much perfect except it’s pricey. Corals and fish thrive with it.

Awesome…I appreciate the reply my friend and price doesn’t kill me since im only mixing around 5 gallons a week.

 

[56longroof]

All the hate for Reef Chrystals is not really substantiated. Before I started dosing kalk my alk was 8-8.5 with RC. It's very affordable with a subscription on Amazon. I can get a 200 gallon box for $75. That lasts me 2 months.

 

[rtparty]

I did not but my calcium is normally a little on the high end dosing all for reef to keep my alk around 8. I mix to 35 with a refractometer that I normally calibrate a couple water changes. I do around 10% every 6 to 8 days.

All For Reef adds slightly more calcium than alkalinity so that makes sense.

Look up Randy’s DIY calibration solution and calibrate with that. See what you get.

I say this because I’ve found AF salt to be consistent IME so I would want to rule some things out before switching personally.

Lots of great salts out there and I use them all if I catch them on sale. AF, Tropic Marin, NYOS, HW Reefer to name a few. All should mix around the 8dkh level

 

[hardcorn77]

All For Reef adds slightly more calcium than alkalinity so that makes sense.

Look up Randy’s DIY calibration solution and calibrate with that. See what you get.

I say this because I’ve found AF salt to be consistent IME so I would want to rule some things out before switching personally.

Lots of great salts out there and I use them all if I catch them on sale. AF, Tropic Marin, NYOS, HW Reefer to name a few. All should mix around the 8dkh level

I just use the brs solution to calibrate it and to be honest this is my first run with one but I do love it. Thanks for the input homie I appreciate it.

 

[hardcorn77]

All the hate for Reef Chrystals is not really substantiated. Before I started dosing kalk my alk was 8-8.5 with RC. It's very affordable with a subscription on Amazon. I can get a 200 gallon box for $75. That lasts me 2 months.

I’ve just read it mixes with a high alk but I’ve heard nothing but good things about it.

 

[rtparty]

I just use the brs solution to calibrate it and to be honest this is my first run with one but I do love it. Thanks for the input homie I appreciate it.

I’ve found too many of the calibration solutions are inaccurate to trust them. Randy’s solution is RO water and table salt. Cheap and easy

 

[Red_Beard]

So I’m sure this is a very common ask but I’m getting ready to switch salt brands and wanted to see what others are recommending. I’ve been using Aquaforest reef salt for almost a year and can’t say I’m the happiest with it. Alkalinity is a little low for my liking in a fresh mixed batch. I’ve been keeping my Alk between 7.8 and 8 so I’m staying away from instant ocean reef crystals but have been eyeing tropic Marin classic salt since they claim alk is between 7.8 to 8 on a fresh mixed batch… thanks in advance for any replies

That is where i keep my alk also, i am using Instant Ocean purple bucket. Just regular plain ole Instant Ocean.

 

[ReefCheef]

So I’m sure this is a very common ask but I’m getting ready to switch salt brands and wanted to see what others are recommending. I’ve been using Aquaforest reef salt for almost a year and can’t say I’m the happiest with it. Alkalinity is a little low for my liking in a fresh mixed batch. I’ve been keeping my Alk between 7.8 and 8 so I’m staying away from instant ocean reef crystals but have been eyeing tropic Marin classic salt since they claim alk is between 7.8 to 8 on a fresh mixed batch… thanks in advance for any replies

Fauna Marin. Switched from TPM a few months ago, and it's been a no questions asked transition. I like Lou and the TM team, but that salt only makes 110-120 gallons of water at 1.026. They claim 160-200, and that claim is not even remotely close. I know, because I make the whole box at one time. After making 50+ boxes, I no longer believe the sales reps promises of it making the stated amount. It doesnt. Fauna Marin's bag/box is the same size, but makes 160 gallons. So basically, TPM costs more, and provides roughly 50% less water.

Side note: nothing in reefing is worth buying that's not made in Germany, unless your only priority is low pricing. American & Asian made products are essentially toy grade, while German made products are commercial grade. This includes salts. Japan would be the exception to this rule but only their freshwater stuff is good.

 

[hardcorn77]

I use red sea blue bucket. Alk is 8 and I run my systems at 7.5 alk.

Is that just the regular Red Sea salt? Is it the same as the blue box?