What Salt Mix should I use?

[stephenwjr]

Been doing some research and wanted to get some input from everyone here at R2R.

Pro Reef Salt Mix - Tropic Marin $99.88(200Gal) $0.499 a gallon
Coral Pro - Red Sea Salt $34.22(55Gal) $0.622 a gallon
Reef Pro Mix - Fritz Aqua $69.99(200Gal) $0.349 a gallon

All basically have the same parameters Calcium 400-450, Magnesium 1350-1450, Alkalinity 7-9 and Potassium 400

I am leaning towards the Fritz for obvious reasons($$) but wanted to get more input.

Thanks,

1NC0GNITO

 

[Daddy-o]

Red Sea coral pro mixes at an alk of 12?

 

[Jdubyo]

While I cannot attest for any of these (I use brightwell) I have seen a lot of ranting and raving over Tropic Marin and have been considering making the change over to them. If you use mixing containers, there is supposed to be little to no maintenance required as the Alkalinity is kept between 6-8 so precipitation should not occur. That being said, you may or may not need to be ready to dose for alkalinity depending on your desired parameters.

Additionally, the “pharmaceutical grade” salt is very appealing. It also mixes very quickly if you are ever in a pinch.

 

[stephenwjr]

Red Sea coral pro mixes at an alk of 12?

Yes I did see the higher Alk but wondered why I need Alk that high? Maybe I should have mentioned this is a new setup and will be cycling with aqua scape and two clown fish for the first 4 months and no lights.

 

[40g Nano]

I use reef crystals

 

[Miguel Negron]

Reef crystals +1

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

Reef Crystals is a good mix that contains extra calcium and trace elements.

 

[Jdubyo]

Yes I did see the higher Alk but wondered why I need Alk that high?

I believe most brands that use higher alkalinity do so to try to combat having to dose. Instead of dosing you would just do water changes and the higher alkalinity would even out with the depleted alkalinity in your tank.

The problem with this is, there is a sudden change in your alkalinity when you add the newly mixed saltwater. It does even out fairly quickly but is still a slight and unnecessary shock to the system.

 

[40g Nano]

i use reef crystals once a week and dose calcium and my alk has been a stable 8 forever

 

[stephenwjr]

I use reef crystals

I see Reef crystals are a lot cheaper at about $0.214 per gallon.

 

[40g Nano]

yep
35$ for like a 150g bucket of it

 

[Jdubyo]

I see Reef crystals are a lot cheaper at about $0.214 per gallon.

This is the biggest thing that keeps me from using reef crystals.

Photo credit: Bulk Reef Supply

It is the least clean mixing salt of the popular brands.

 

[stephenwjr]

This is the biggest thing that keeps me from using reef crystals.

Photo credit: Bulk Reef Supply

It is the least clean mixing salt of the popular brands.

This is the kind of information I was looking for. Much thanks!

 

[40g Nano]

what does it mean by "cleanest"

 

[Jdubyo]

what does it mean by "cleanest"

Here is a 5 minute video that explains it best.




it also mentions a way to combat the lesser clean salts if you would like to use one of them.

 

[40g Nano]

I watched that stuff, but there really isn't really much unless you buy instant ocean

 

[Gunstable]

I use reef crystals. Other than the crud in my mixing bins it seems to work fine.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I use Tropic Marin BUT Red sea coral pro is a great salt especially if you have coral

Most public aquariums use Instant Ocean - regular mix with success

 

[40g Nano]

Instant ocean probably for $, not$$$$$$$$

 

[dieselkeeper]

I use Aqua forest. Mixes to the parameters you stated in first post. I wanted a salt mix that I didnt have to adjust before a water change.