What salt do you use and why?

[X-37B]

Use

It leaves a brown residue and will have scale build up over time. I'm not sure of the cause of the residue but I think I remember @Randy Holmes-Farley saying something about clay but my memory is bad. I read that he is using IO on his 1% per day AWC system.

A small amount, 1/8 of a cup, of rox and it will pick up the the residue.
I used standard IO for years and my brutes are clean.

 

[Reef Jedi]

Use

A small amount, 1/8 of a cup, of rox and it will pick up the the residue.
I used standard IO for years and my brutes are clean.

Wow really? That’s good advice! So just run another reactor with rox or is it still effective in a mesh bag at the bottom?

 

[X-37B]

Wow really? That’s good advice! So just run another reactor with rox or is it still effective in a mesh bag at the bottom?

I just put it in a nylon sock, used chemipure bag, and drop it in.

 

[Red_Beard]

I have become partial to the Himalayan pink, out of a grinder, delicious!

Oh, yeah though. I started on aqua forest reef, because it looked cool i guess. So far so good

 

[X-37B]

Wow really? That’s good advice! So just run another reactor with rox or is it still effective in a mesh bag at the bottom?

I just put it in a nylon sock, used chemipure bag, and drop it in.
Use more rox if doing larger mixes.

 

[X-37B]

I have become partial to the Himalayan pink, out of a grinder, delicious!

Oh, yeah though. I started on aqua forest reef, because it looked cool i guess. So far so good

Nice! I use that salt out of a grinder for everything but my tanks, lol.
Better than the standard Morton table salt.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I think most people would be hard pressed to taste the difference in different raw salts based in trace mineral makeup vs even anti caking agent laden iodized table salt, let alone when mixed into a dish.

Finishing salt (Muldoon, sea, Himalayan, etc) maybe a fraction of a percent of the population could double blind taste differences in them, but even then… finishing salt is more about texture and mouthfeel, and each of those has a bit different texture.

Like reef salt, I purchased the cheapest non iodized salt that I can find. I keep course, regular, fine and popcorn and flake varieties for texture based on use. So mostly sea salt in different grinds.

 

[Tactical Reefkeeping]

I stand ocean salt for me because I am 14 and I am not made of money so it works for a cheap and affordable salt. No issues here

 

[painter1982]

I stand ocean salt for me because I am 14 and I am not made of money so it works for a cheap and affordable salt. No issues here

Instant Ocean is what I used at your age back in the 80’s. Worked for me just fine.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I stand ocean salt for me because I am 14 and I am not made of money so it works for a cheap and affordable salt. No issues here

none of us are made of money lol we all own reef tanks. What brand do you prefer in your tank?

 

[Reef Jedi]

Regular old instant ocean. Its worked just fine for for over 20 years. Its cheap and works, why change? I learned a long time ago that changing things chasing "better" just ends up making things worse.

This is a good statement and point. I've debated if using blue bucket has been any more beneficial in any way over IO and so far I feel like I honestly couldn't tell a difference. other than cost over time.

 

[Tactical Reefkeeping]

none of us are made of money lol we all own reef tanks. What brand do you prefer in your tank?

Instant ocean honestly I just love how it mixes and the parameters are

 

[Reef Jedi]

I just put it in a nylon sock, used chemipure bag, and drop it in.
Use more rox if doing larger mixes.

Wow, I'm gonna make a small bag and do this, id be very curious if it keeps that crud from sticking in the mixing bin thus cutting down on cleaning it. Super cool!

 

[X-37B]

Wow, I'm gonna make a small bag and do this, id be very curious if it keeps that crud from sticking in the mixing bin thus cutting down on cleaning it. Super cool!

I went back and looked at my logs.
I used 1/4 cup making 18-20g's at a time with no residue.
1/8 of a cup for <10g's.

 

[vlangel]

I use IO and have for 20+ yrs. Its the most economical and stores fine for me. I mix up about 30 gallons in a brute can and use it at 7 gallon per week so it lasts a month or more.

I read some years back that most of the big public aquariums use it because its consistent. That says a lot.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I went back and looked at my logs.
I used 1/4 cup making 18-20g's at a time with no residue.
1/8 of a cup for <10g's.

Awesome! I mix 50 gallons at a time once a month, I think next time I get the low level alert I'll pull it, clean it and try this. I'm more excited about this then I can say lol Dirty mixing bin has always been a bother of mine.

 

[Reef Jedi]

Another 13+ year instant ocean user here. I’ve used regular IO, was on reef crystals for about 8 years, went back to regular IO recently as it’s cheaper.

My corals actually have been growing better as of late.

What do you think contributes to the corals growing better? Do you think the blend in the "Regular" is the cause?

I guess I'm going back and forth on if I should switch back to IO from blue bucket. I'm not sure if any using blue bucket has over IO except cost.

 

[X-37B]

What do you think contributes to the corals growing better? Do you think the blend in the "Regular" is the cause?

I guess I'm going back and forth on if I should switch back to IO from blue bucket. I'm not sure if any using blue bucket has over IO except cost.

Either will work. Pick one and stay with it.
Focus on stability of your chosen parameters and growth will be there.

 

[56longroof]

I like Reef Chrystals. Used it in the 90's with great results and it hasn't disappointed this go around.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I like Reef Chrystals. Used it in the 90's with great results and it hasn't disappointed this go around.

Do you find faster growth with it vs using regular?