Which salt to pick?

Deadlyhobbitses · Mar 14, 2021

Hello, starting off with a new reef tank and will be mixing my own salt. I was looking between the Red Sea Salt and Tropic Marin, but have no idea which is best and what to go for. Which would you recommend?

Idoc · Mar 15, 2021

Go with the salt that matches closest to the parameters that you want to maintain in your tank. This will minimize dosing requirements later on when the reef matures. I initially started out with an expensive salt, but didn't need it with a new tank and minimal corals. So, I ended up switching to Instant Ocean regular salt...it was half the price ($40 for 200g) of the other salt ($76 for 160g) and the parameters were almost identical. I couldn't justify the higher cost when the coral load in a new tank is almost miniscule to start out. I switched to IO and haven't had any issues.

Deadlyhobbitses · Mar 15, 2021

Idoc said:
Go with the salt that matches closest to the parameters that you want to maintain in your tank. This will minimize dosing requirements later on when the reef matures. I initially started out with an expensive salt, but didn't need it with a new tank and minimal corals. So, I ended up switching to Instant Ocean regular salt...it was half the price ($40 for 200g) of the other salt ($76 for 160g) and the parameters were almost identical. I couldn't justify the higher cost when the coral load in a new tank is almost miniscule to start out. I switched to IO and haven't had any issues.

How would I know what parameters I want to maintain? It seems like there's a million different right ways to do it. I want to mostly keep a lps and softy tank, but definitely transition to sps eventually.

redfishbluefish · Mar 15, 2021

Agree with @Idoc . And, there is no "best" salt. It's like tomato sauce (some say gravy) for your spaghetti, it's what you were brought up on and like that is the best. The one you pick is going to be your best salt. I too am and IO user, and for me, the best! Can't beat the price, quality, and consistency.

Poof No Eyebrows · Mar 15, 2021

I was an IO user myself but finally decided to switch to Read Sea because of the container. I was tired of battling clumped up salt that I had to break apart with a hammer. As too the tanks, I have noticed zero difference.

Mr. Mojo Rising · Mar 15, 2021

for me, price determines my choice. As idoc mentioned, some salts are more than half the price of others, and this hobby is super expensive already without adding dollars for salt

Super Fly · Mar 15, 2021

Tried and true IO for me as well. Cant beat the price

PatW · Mar 15, 2021

I have seen great tanks with all sorts of salts. The major brands are all fine. It is the reefer and not the salt.

PeterB113 · Mar 15, 2021

I switched from instant ocean to redsea coral pro. Corals looking great lps love the higher Dkh. Tropic marin and IO around 8dkh my red sea mixes to 11

Idoc · Mar 15, 2021

Deadlyhobbitses said:
How would I know what parameters I want to maintain? It seems like there's a million different right ways to do it. I want to mostly keep a lps and softy tank, but definitely transition to sps eventually.

Most corals will adapt to the alkalinity you set in your tank... just keep it stable. 8-12dKh is s good target as well as calcium between 400-450.

IO nice to around 9dkh and 400 calcium.

dmy535 · Mar 15, 2021

Everyone will give their own opinion here... but you specifically asked “tropic Marin” or “Red Sea”... I’ll say Red Sea because it’s readily available and tropic Marin (although a good salt) is out of stock most places... I use tropic Marin for now, but will be switching because it’s always out of stock Andy the calcium, Dkh and magnesium levels are really low!

Randy’s reef · Mar 15, 2021

I like tropic Marin , I’ve tried many others they’re all good don’t get me wrong , but one thing I noticed was with Red Sea salt , Instant ocean when I would mix salt in a bucket and after I put the salt in the tank and take a white paper towel to wipe to bucket dry I would notice brown residue on the paper towel , but upon switching to tropic Marin no more brown residue , I understand it’s hard to get right now but soon it will be avl everywhere again!, I truly believe that tropic Marin is a cleaner salt, reefing is not a cheap investment so why put salt that will “do the job” but “dirty” in your expensive investment , just doesn’t make sense.

dmy535 · Mar 16, 2021

Tropic Marin is very low in dkh and calcium levels which is annoying to me...

Randy’s reef · Mar 17, 2021

dmy535 said:
Tropic Marin is very low in dkh and calcium levels which is annoying to me...

Yes same here I wish it was a little higher dkh , but honestly I dose25 ml of alk into my 10 gallon mixing bucket and it brings it right up to 8.2 where I keep my tank at, this thing clears up so fast it’s unbelievable I just smile knowing I’m putting a quality clean and great salt in my tank