Switching Salts

[mjaquarium02]

I’m currently using Instant Ocean (not Reef Crystals) for my tank right now. I only have soft corals and I heard if it was a soft tank that type of salt should be fine, but I haven’t seen them really grow. I only have a GSP and Zoa for now. I’m deciding to switch the type of salt so I can appropriately measure Alk, Ca, Mg, etc etc. Hopefully with that I can stabilize my parameters and I can see my corals thrive. I’m considering in a mostly soft/LPS tank… I was thinking in getting Red Sea salt (the blue bucket) Is that a good type of salt for what I’m planning to have and precisely how should I make the switch?? Every week when I do my 10% water change add the new water with the new salt?? Any info helps thanks!!

Some tank info: Although I’ve been in this hobby for a few years now this is my first time really dealing with corals. This tank has been running for about a year. It’s a 25 gallon with only 2 clownfishes and a small cuc

 

[Gman83]

When I first started I used IO or RC depending on which one was cheaper. I know use Aqua Forest, and I’m pretty happy with it.

You’ll find most recommendations are to find a salt close to the parameters you want to keep, and is easy to get. Nothing worse than finding a salt you like, but you can only get enough for a month’s worth of wc

 

[Red_Beard]

Ive done softies, LPS, and SPS all on IO purple bucket. It is a perfectly usable salt.

But, if you are feeling the need to switch, find one that matches as closely to the parameters you want to keep, like Gman says. I have also since switched over to aqua forest reef salt. That and fauna marin, whichever is on sale at the time.

 

[DmitryB]

I'm switching from that Red Sea salt to Nyos, which mixes super clean. I'm doing via water changes like you said.

 

[FirstSalt24]

When I first started I used IO or RC depending on which one was cheaper. I know use Aqua Forest, and I’m pretty happy with it.

You’ll find most recommendations are to find a salt close to the parameters you want to keep, and is easy to get. Nothing worse than finding a salt you like, but you can only get enough for a month’s worth of wc

I also switched from RC to Aquaforest. Mix in 15mins and is super clean with no residue (dirty bin).

 

[mjaquarium02]

Nothing worse than finding a salt you like, but you can only get enough for a month’s worth of wc

goooood point.

 

[mjaquarium02]

Ive done softies, LPS, and SPS all on IO purple bucket. It is a perfectly usable salt.

But, if you are feeling the need to switch, find one that matches as closely to the parameters you want to keep, like Gman says. I have also since switched over to aqua forest reef salt. That and fauna marin, whichever is on sale at the time.

when you used the IO salt did you individually dose your tank with the elements? my corals were opening up when i first got them but suddenly they haven’t been opening at all. i checked my calcium it’s 350 ammonia is 0 and nitrates is 20 (not sure if that’s too high) im ordering some other tests kits like Alk and Mag so those results are pending…

 

[Red_Beard]

I did, yes. Brs 2 part and red sea trace. (I use afr now, still use the 2 part to bump any individuals)
Odd. Ya, check your other elements. I did have one bucket of IO with a '24 mfg date that was crazy high in magnesium. Might not hurt to make sure something like that is not at play here. If it all checks out do a big water change, usually that perks stuff up right away.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO coral growth is related to light and flow. Corals can grow in any salt mix, consider that some people grow corals in tap water. What is your light?

 

[Kooma]

I’m currently using Instant Ocean (not Reef Crystals) for my tank right now. I only have soft corals and I heard if it was a soft tank that type of salt should be fine, but I haven’t seen them really grow. I only have a GSP and Zoa for now. I’m deciding to switch the type of salt so I can appropriately measure Alk, Ca, Mg, etc etc. Hopefully with that I can stabilize my parameters and I can see my corals thrive. I’m considering in a mostly soft/LPS tank… I was thinking in getting Red Sea salt (the blue bucket) Is that a good type of salt for what I’m planning to have and precisely how should I make the switch?? Every week when I do my 10% water change add the new water with the new salt?? Any info helps thanks!!

Some tank info: Although I’ve been in this hobby for a few years now this is my first time really dealing with corals. This tank has been running for about a year. It’s a 25 gallon with only 2 clownfishes and a small cuc

Pause.

Ive grown lots of acros, lps, and softies, with the purple instant ocean. In fact, ive had really good success.

Gsp and zoas dont need fancy salt, even most LPS dont either. You dont have corals that require calcium to build their skeleton, so no need to even test for these elements outaide of a weekly water change.

Honestly, a 20% weekly water change is all you need to grow corals.

Slow growth i would point to not enough lighting or low nutrients in the water, or both.