What salt is everyone using?

[gabesreef]

So I started my tank with Fritz because it came free from saltwateraquarium lol but then I had some left over Red Sea blue bucket so I’m trying to burn through that one. During this process I realized I really don’t like Red Sea it leaves behind a nasty brown film. Sooo I’m tempted to just go back to Fritz but I’ve heard some not so great things about them and that they are inconsistent.

I also store my salt in a brute trash can in my garage in Florida. So temps can get a bit higher especially in the summer months. I like to just mix up the whole container which is enough for a month of water changes. Fritz wasn’t included on the BRS video so I don’t know how the levels hold up over time. If anyone has experience with this I would appreciate the input.

I like my levels like this:

9 DKH
450 calcium
1350-1400 magnesium

 

[Indiana Reefin]

I like Tropic Marin Pro. But the numbers are lower than what you are after. I would use Red Sea blue bucket for those numbers. TMP has always mixed clean for me. Very consistent from batch to batch as well. TMP has an ALK around 7.5-8; Cal around 400; Mag 1350

 

[Reef Jedi]

I use Red Sea blue bucket.

Check out this thread I started a while back and I think you’d be surprised on what you’ll find. I was at least.

What salt do you use and why?

What salt do you use and why? What benefits do you think your choice has over others? I used instant ocean regular for 20 years. The last two tanks I’ve used Red Sea blue bucket and I’m not too impressed with the residue it leaves in the mixing bin. I run an awc so it needs to be stored for...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[gabesreef]

I use Red Sea blue bucket.

Check out this thread I started a while back and I think you’d be surprised on what you’ll find. I was at least.

What salt do you use and why?

What salt do you use and why? What benefits do you think your choice has over others? I used instant ocean regular for 20 years. The last two tanks I’ve used Red Sea blue bucket and I’m not too impressed with the residue it leaves in the mixing bin. I run an awc so it needs to be stored for...

www.reef2reef.com

The brown residue doesn’t bother you? Thanks I’m going to look at that thread now!

 

[Reef Jedi]

The brown residue doesn’t bother you? Thanks I’m going to look at that thread now!

It actually does and that was the whole reason I started that thread. I haven’t switched yet because I still have blue bucket. I would buy the big 200g bags so they last a while lol When I do run out I’ll use regular IO.

 

[rtparty]

For those parameters and storage requirements: ESV

 

[Indiana Reefin]

For those parameters and storage requirements: ESV

If you only listen to one person on this topic… This is the person.

 

[gabesreef]

For those parameters and storage requirements: ESV

The multiple component seem like a pain lol

 

[serval]

I switched from Red Sea blue bucket to Nyos Pure. I like the tested parameters and the very clear saltwater. It seems to store perfectly and my corals seem to like it.

 

[rtparty]

The multiple component seem like a pain lol

There is a learning curve for sure but I’ve yet to find a cleaner and more consistent salt in all my testing. I also really like the NYOS salt but their prices are too high now. Their bucket only makes around 135g for $90+. Grab ESV on sale and you can make 200g for that same $90

 

[mcarroll]

The brown residue doesn’t bother you? Thanks I’m going to look at that thread now!

i'm a little surprised people still freak out over this in 2026 since it's been covered so many times. Trace elements. there have been many threads over the years.

While I am on the topic, it seems like most people are still making the mistake of heating and over mixing their salt mix as well.

 

[gabesreef]

There is a learning curve for sure but I’ve yet to find a cleaner and more consistent salt in all my testing. I also really like the NYOS salt but their prices are too high now. Their bucket only makes around 135g for $90+. Grab ESV on sale and you can make 200g for that same $90

Yeah I might do this. They nyos looks great but it’s definitely pricey

 

[gabesreef]

i'm a little surprised people still freak out over this in 2026 since it's been covered so many times. Trace elements. there have been many threads over the years.

While I am on the topic, it seems like most people are still making the mistake of heating and over mixing their salt mix as well.

The brown stuff if trace elements? I don’t have much control over the heat since it’s in my garage but I didn’t know over mixing was an issue I usually just keep it circulating. Should I not be doing that?

 

[commod0re]

I started with instant ocean and switched to red sea blue bucket after a few months. Huge difference. Softies were fine in IO but LPS struggled. I lost a hammer and my duncans abandoned some of their heads. After switching to blue bucket my duncans recovered and then some: honestly I can’t tell how many heads they have anymore, but it’s more than 10

 

[steveschuerger]

AquaForest Reef at the moment. Mixed fast and clean. And corals seen to like it quite well.

 

[albano]

For those parameters and storage requirements: ESV

ESV… been using it for many years (probably 15-20yrs) , once you figure the measurements for the amount that you want to make (60g for me) its easy to do!

 

[mcarroll]

The brown stuff if trace elements? I don’t have much control over the heat since it’s in my garage but I didn’t know over mixing was an issue I usually just keep it circulating. Should I not be doing that?

Correct.

Mix until it's done and then stop. This can take as little as five minutes, usually no more than 15 minutes.

If the water gets too cold to use in your garage, just make sure you are heating it minimally. I used to store my water in the basement on the floor so it would always trend toward earth temperatures… 65 to 70°. I never had a problem with it at that temperature. Just for example.

Depending on your situation, I would even try heating it right before you use it versus heating the vat and keeping it warm all the time.

 

[mcarroll]

I started with instant ocean and switched to red sea blue bucket after a few months. Huge difference. Softies were fine in IO but LPS struggled. I lost a hammer and my duncans abandoned some of their heads. After switching to blue bucket my duncans recovered and then some: honestly I can’t tell how many heads they have anymore, but it’s more than 10

I wonder what difference you think there was in the salts that would explain your experience?

 

[commod0re]

I wonder what difference you think there was in the salts that would explain your experience?

I believe it’s the calcium level. IO mixed to around 360-380 ppm and red sea blue bucket mixes up to 420-440

Lights aren’t on yet so they’re not fully extended but here are my duncans this morning in ambient light

The front one’s heads in particular fluff out even larger during the middle of the day

Edit: dKH is higher too. IO was around 7-7.5 iirc but red sea blue bucket mixes up to 8.5

 

[Jasonak]

Correct.

Mix until it's done and then stop. This can take as little as five minutes, usually no more than 15 minutes.

If the water gets too cold to use in your garage, just make sure you are heating it minimally. I used to store my water in the basement on the floor so it would always trend toward earth temperatures… 65 to 70°. I never had a problem with it at that temperature. Just for example.

Depending on your situation, I would even try heating it right before you use it versus heating the vat and keeping it warm all the time.

Ive seen this posted a few times about NOT mixing your saltwater on a continuous basis. I'm curious where this comes from and the thoughts behind it. What would be the difference between being mixed and heated in my tank vs being mixed and heated in my brute ? Obviously your saving on your electric bill of course.
I try not to heat my water the whole time but sometimes it will sit there a week maybe even 2 before I get a chance to do a water change being heated and havening a pump running in it.