What's your favorite brand salt mix ?

Jettareefer · 01/06/2014, 01:10 PM

I have always used Reef Crystals by instant Ocean with okay results and usually test and buffer it before a water change because each bucket has a variance in elements. With that said I would like see what everyone else is using and what you like about the brand you use. I also dose brightwell aquatic A and B calcium and alkalinity as well potassium. All feedback will be appreciated greatly!
-Addison

Allmost · 01/06/2014, 01:16 PM

I use TMPR.

once a month, so quarter of my WCs, I use a different salt. RC,KZ RBS, IO ...

sirreal63 · 01/06/2014, 02:52 PM

I have been sticking with regular IO for several years. I have never found a compelling reason to use anything else.

Froggy · 01/06/2014, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirreal63

I have been sticking with regular IO for several years. I have never found a compelling reason to use anything else.

Ditto. The only salt I have ever used.
Joe

Jettareefer · 01/06/2014, 03:15 PM

Sirreal63 how are the mag and cal levels in the instant ocean ?

gcarroll · 01/06/2014, 03:54 PM

IO because i know what i'm getting. It's always the same batch after batch.

Constrictor6090 · 01/06/2014, 04:09 PM

Red Sea Coral Pro, makes coralline algae grow like crazy.

Nanook · 01/06/2014, 04:15 PM

IO here as well for many years. Consistent from batch to batch as mentioned. Usually one of the lowest priced as well which helps when you change 225 gallons of water at a time.

sirreal63 · 01/06/2014, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jettareefer

Sirreal63 how are the mag and cal levels in the instant ocean ?

It stays fairly consistent, alk 10-11, cal 400-420 and mag 1300-1400. One thing I have learned is the bags are much more consistent than the buckets, I suspect this is because of stratification of the mix with the buckets.

Jettareefer · 01/06/2014, 05:02 PM

Sirreal63 I have a clarifying question when you mentioned the bags are you referring to the 200 gallon mix boxes (I assume they would package it in bag inside the box)?

Nanook I would say with changing that much water you would have to make it cost effective, it looks like the general consensus Instant Ocean floats the boat.

sirreal63 · 01/06/2014, 05:10 PM

Correct, the 200 gallon boxes have individual 50 gallon bags.

reeflover62 · 01/06/2014, 06:01 PM

Tried a lot of brands and don't think you need anything special. IORC works for me.

ThorEffex · 01/06/2014, 06:04 PM

IO is pretty consistent

Calcium-390
Magnesium-1470
Alkalinity-10
Iodine-.01
Potassium-410

albano · 01/06/2014, 06:05 PM

ESV for myself, as well as for a few friends with SPS dominate tanks

Roy Arena · 01/06/2014, 07:01 PM

I switched to Red Sea regular but have decided to go back to using Instant Ocean.

reefndude · 01/06/2014, 07:03 PM

reef crystals

jda · 01/06/2014, 07:13 PM

IO or TMPR for me too. I like the bags as well. I dry mix the TMPR up like crazy before I use it.

GroktheCube · 01/06/2014, 09:09 PM

I use ESV. Mixes faster than any other I've tried, and is always 100% consistent.

Bigcefa · 01/06/2014, 09:13 PM

I get low readings on magnesium from IO. 1150-1200 not sure I've been having to dose it up

mark54321 · 01/06/2014, 10:14 PM

ESV for me too, 10 min. and is ready to go, always consistent results.

Dapg8gt · 01/06/2014, 10:34 PM

I switched to of all salts Kent. It was on a recommendation of a fellow old school reefer and it's cheap. Been consistent for the last 6 months. Mixes clear in about an hour and no residue left behind.

Switched from IO. Didn't like always having to dose each batch. I never seemed to get the levels stated above. Cal was around 370 max. Alk was 11-12 and mag was usually below 1100.

Kents numbers
Alk 9-10
Cal 450
Mag 1350ish
What I'm not too happy about is the potassium is at about 500. a little high so since the switch my levels have been 450 and a little above. I havent noticed any negatives but I have read some negatives on elevated levels and sps.

Peter Eichler · 01/06/2014, 10:50 PM

I go back and forth between IO and RC, usually RC since with the LFS 2 time a year group buy it's super cheap. I'd love it if only the alkalinity was lower. But, shutting my reactor down over night usually fixes matters.

basser1 · 01/06/2014, 11:21 PM

Been using Red Sea Coral Pro for the last couple of years. I have a small tank, 29 gallons, so I don't mind the extra cost.

My SPS look great with fantastic growth!

Arkayology · 01/06/2014, 11:39 PM

I've used TM and TMPR for the last three years. Both have worked very well for me.

slimm · 01/07/2014, 01:13 AM

I have been using RC. So far so good.

01/06/2014, 01:10 PM	#1
Jettareefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Plano,TX Posts: 323	What's your favorite brand salt mix ? I have always used Reef Crystals by instant Ocean with okay results and usually test and buffer it before a water change because each bucket has a variance in elements. With that said I would like see what everyone else is using and what you like about the brand you use. I also dose brightwell aquatic A and B calcium and alkalinity as well potassium. All feedback will be appreciated greatly! -Addison __________________ 50 gallon custom starfire planet rimless, trigger systems crystal 30 elite, Reef Octopus 202s, Ati sunpower 6x39w with sbreef bars, 2 low boy frag tanks. Kalk driven.

01/06/2014, 02:52 PM	#3
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I have been sticking with regular IO for several years. I have never found a compelling reason to use anything else. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

01/06/2014, 03:15 PM	#5
Jettareefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Plano,TX Posts: 323	Sirreal63 how are the mag and cal levels in the instant ocean ? __________________ 50 gallon custom starfire planet rimless, trigger systems crystal 30 elite, Reef Octopus 202s, Ati sunpower 6x39w with sbreef bars, 2 low boy frag tanks. Kalk driven.

01/06/2014, 03:54 PM	#6
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	IO because i know what i'm getting. It's always the same batch after batch. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

01/06/2014, 04:09 PM	#7
Constrictor6090 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: OverlandPark, Kansas Posts: 176	Red Sea Coral Pro, makes coralline algae grow like crazy. __________________ __________________________________________________________

01/06/2014, 01:16 PM	#2
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	I use TMPR. once a month, so quarter of my WCs, I use a different salt. RC,KZ RBS, IO ...

01/06/2014, 04:15 PM	#8
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	IO here as well for many years. Consistent from batch to batch as mentioned. Usually one of the lowest priced as well which helps when you change 225 gallons of water at a time. __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

01/06/2014, 05:02 PM	#10
Jettareefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Plano,TX Posts: 323	Sirreal63 I have a clarifying question when you mentioned the bags are you referring to the 200 gallon mix boxes (I assume they would package it in bag inside the box)? Nanook I would say with changing that much water you would have to make it cost effective, it looks like the general consensus Instant Ocean floats the boat. __________________ 50 gallon custom starfire planet rimless, trigger systems crystal 30 elite, Reef Octopus 202s, Ati sunpower 6x39w with sbreef bars, 2 low boy frag tanks. Kalk driven.

01/06/2014, 05:10 PM	#11
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Correct, the 200 gallon boxes have individual 50 gallon bags. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

01/06/2014, 06:01 PM	#12
reeflover62 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 581	Tried a lot of brands and don't think you need anything special. IORC works for me.

01/06/2014, 06:04 PM	#13
ThorEffex Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 124	IO is pretty consistent Calcium-390 Magnesium-1470 Alkalinity-10 Iodine-.01 Potassium-410

01/06/2014, 06:05 PM	#14
albano SALTWATER since '73 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Katonah, NY/ San Fernando Ca./ Sea Isle City NJ Posts: 6,210	ESV for myself, as well as for a few friends with SPS dominate tanks __________________ ______________________________________ Jan. '11 TOTM Manhattan Reefs Current Tank Info: 500g & 200g acrylic DTs/2 separate reef systems

01/06/2014, 07:01 PM	#15
Roy Arena Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Chandler AZ. Posts: 202	I switched to Red Sea regular but have decided to go back to using Instant Ocean.

01/06/2014, 07:03 PM	#16
reefndude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Georgia Posts: 216	reef crystals __________________ Rob

01/06/2014, 07:13 PM	#17
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	IO or TMPR for me too. I like the bags as well. I dry mix the TMPR up like crazy before I use it.

01/06/2014, 09:09 PM	#18
GroktheCube Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 2,063	I use ESV. Mixes faster than any other I've tried, and is always 100% consistent.

01/06/2014, 09:13 PM	#19
Bigcefa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 843	I get low readings on magnesium from IO. 1150-1200 not sure I've been having to dose it up

01/06/2014, 10:14 PM	#20
mark54321 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: chicago Posts: 2,040	ESV for me too, 10 min. and is ready to go, always consistent results. __________________ ############## ______MARK_______ ##############

01/06/2014, 10:34 PM	#21
Dapg8gt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 3,741	I switched to of all salts Kent. It was on a recommendation of a fellow old school reefer and it's cheap. Been consistent for the last 6 months. Mixes clear in about an hour and no residue left behind. Switched from IO. Didn't like always having to dose each batch. I never seemed to get the levels stated above. Cal was around 370 max. Alk was 11-12 and mag was usually below 1100. Kents numbers Alk 9-10 Cal 450 Mag 1350ish What I'm not too happy about is the potassium is at about 500. a little high so since the switch my levels have been 450 and a little above. I havent noticed any negatives but I have read some negatives on elevated levels and sps. __________________ 15 years in the hobby yet still learning every day. 280g radium lit sps flat living in my garage rent free. Current Tank Info: 105g SPS dominant euro braced powered by 4 ecotech pumps and lit by an ATI powermodule controlled by a reef angel =).

01/06/2014, 10:50 PM	#22
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	I go back and forth between IO and RC, usually RC since with the LFS 2 time a year group buy it's super cheap. I'd love it if only the alkalinity was lower. But, shutting my reactor down over night usually fixes matters.

01/06/2014, 11:21 PM	#23
basser1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So. Indiana Posts: 1,109	Been using Red Sea Coral Pro for the last couple of years. I have a small tank, 29 gallons, so I don't mind the extra cost. My SPS look great with fantastic growth!

01/06/2014, 11:39 PM	#24
Arkayology Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,597	I've used TM and TMPR for the last three years. Both have worked very well for me. __________________ -Matt in between tanks

01/07/2014, 01:13 AM	#25
slimm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 25	I have been using RC. So far so good.