Tropic Marin Part C vs Aquaforest Reef Mineral Salt

Myka · Sep 14, 2017

Does anyone have any idea how the two compare to each other? Are they essentially the same? Is there any way to know? In theory they should be quite similar, but are they?

GoVols · Sep 14, 2017

Myka said:
Does anyone have any idea how the two compare to each other? Are they essentially the same? Is there any way to know? In theory they should be quite similar, but are they?

I don't know but the Part C for the TM full balling method is to keep TM part A and Part B very stable.
It says that it has the TM trace elements in part C, but it's more for keeping the other two parts stable.

If you want TM trace elements, then you dose their A and K trace elements.

They both could, very well be, NaCl - free salts.

Myka · Sep 14, 2017

GoVols said:
I don't know but the Part C for the TM full balling method is to keep TM part A and Part B very stable.
It says that it has the TM trace elements in part C, but it's more for keeping the other two parts stable.

If you want TM trace elements, then you dose their A and K trace elements.

They both could, very well be, NaCl - free salts.

What do you mean by "stable"? Are you meaning ionic balance? That's my understanding of both TM Part C and AF MS.

TM Part C clearly says "Sodium choride free sea salt" on the front. Their site doesn't say much: "[...] while the addition of sodium chloride free sea salt (part C) maintains the crucial ionic balance in the aquarium water."

AF MS from their website: "Aquaforest Reef Mineral Salt is a Sodium Chloride (NaCl) free sea salt. It contains all the other basic components found in natural seawater, such as Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Bromine, Fluorine, Barium, Iodine, and trace elements. NaCl free salt is one of the most important components of the Balling method, and it plays a significant role when Calcium Chloride and Sodium Bicarbonate supplementation is in place. It is a common misconception among reefers that administering NaCl free salt is primarily supposed to replenish trace elements. The main task of Sodium Chloride free salt is to maintain ionic balance of aquarium water."

See what I mean now?

GoVols · Sep 14, 2017

Myka said:
What do you mean by "stable"? Are you meaning ionic balance? That's my understanding of both TM Part C and AF MS.

TM Part C clearly says "Sodium choride free sea salt" on the front. Their site doesn't say much: "[...] while the addition of sodium chloride free sea salt (part C) maintains the crucial ionic balance in the aquarium water."

AF MS from their website: "Aquaforest Reef Mineral Salt is a Sodium Chloride (NaCl) free sea salt. It contains all the other basic components found in natural seawater, such as Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Bromine, Fluorine, Barium, Iodine, and trace elements. NaCl free salt is one of the most important components of the Balling method, and it plays a significant role when Calcium Chloride and Sodium Bicarbonate supplementation is in place. It is a common misconception among reefers that administering NaCl free salt is primarily supposed to replenish trace elements. The main task of Sodium Chloride free salt is to maintain ionic balance of aquarium water."

See what I mean now?

TM's part C is not meant to replenish trace elements, between water changes but (lol) a lot of reefer's mis-understand that part.

Myka · Sep 14, 2017

GoVols said:
TM's part C is not meant to replenish trace elements, between water changes but (lol) a lot of reefer's mis-understand that part.

Ok. I'm not asking about trace elements though.

I'm asking if the products are essentially the same as each other - could one replace the other? It seems like they should be by their descriptions, but I was wondering if someone had somehow confirmed this.

GoVols · Sep 14, 2017

Myka said:
Ok. I'm not asking about trace elements though. I'm asking if the products are essentially the same as each other - could one replace the other? It seems like they should be by their descriptions, but I was wondering if someone had somehow confirmed this.

Hopefully
Randy, Will answer your question.

I'd like to tag along for his answer.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 14, 2017

They should be functionally similar, but even if they are both perfect in what they claim, they need not be identical.

For example, one might contain potassium bromide, and the other might have sodium bromide and potassium chloride, to approach the same addition of potassium and bromide.

Myka · Sep 14, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
They should be functionally similar, but even if they are both perfect in what they claim, they need not be identical.

For example, one might contain potassium bromide, and the other might have sodium bromide and potassium chloride, to approach the same addition of potassium and bromide.

That's where my thoughts were going, I just needed confirmation that I wasn't missing something. Thanks Randy.

Saltyanimals · May 26, 2022

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
They should be functionally similar, but even if they are both perfect in what they claim, they need not be identical.

For example, one might contain potassium bromide, and the other might have sodium bromide and potassium chloride, to approach the same addition of potassium and bromide.

Old thread, but new questions. =)

Because they're used to help keep the balance, is there any value in it w/o running 2 part? i.e. now using a CaRX. I have ALOT left over when I was doing balling with AF and considered adding it now as part of WC for the misc trace elements it may have. Being Sodium Chloride free, it shouldn't affect salinity if added to the WC water but potentially introduce some benefits with the additional minerals/elements.

I would not run out to buy it for this reason as trace supplements are probably better, but seems like such a waste to throw away. Additional benefit is to clear out the fish closet. =)

Thanks!

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 26, 2022

Saltyanimals said:
Old thread, but new questions. =)

Because they're used to help keep the balance, is there any value in it w/o running 2 part? i.e. now using a CaRX. I have ALOT left over when I was doing balling with AF and considered adding it now as part of WC for the misc trace elements it may have. Being Sodium Chloride free, it shouldn't affect salinity if added to the WC water but potentially introduce some benefits with the additional minerals/elements.

I would not run out to buy it for this reason as trace supplements are probably better, but seems like such a waste to throw away. Additional benefit is to clear out the fish closet. =)

Thanks!

No, it would not be desirable to use them without a two part. It’s the wrong mix of ingredients to offset consumption.