Temporarily using a different salt

Marco333 · 08/23/2019, 12:47 PM

I have a 2 year old 40 gallon reef. I am going to be moving 7 hours away. I need premixed salt at my new house to help with moving my tank. The LFS by my new house sells premixed instant ocean and Red Sea coral pro salt.

Since my tank was set up, I have always used Reef Crystals. Would it be ok to use the premixed salt from the LFS. If so, which mix would be better to use, the instant ocean or coral pro?

mcgyvr · 08/23/2019, 01:36 PM

What you want to avoid is rapidly changing water parameters on the corals (I assume corals since you said "reef")..

So it all depends on the parameters of your current tank and the parameters of each of those premixed water..
You may need to add alk/cal (likely alk more than anything) to their premixed to match with your current water to avoid a swing..

Baking soda may be all you need..

Kevin Guthrie · 08/23/2019, 06:21 PM

Important thing is to adjust the temp and salinity to match the water you bring your stock over in. If practical do the "new fish ritual" with bag in water.

BTW not familiar with premix but even 20 gallons would be 160+ lbs of water.

Vinny Kreyling · 08/24/2019, 08:19 AM

I have used various different salts over the years for water changes with no noticeable effects. I would not worry as long as parameters are the same.

08/23/2019, 12:47 PM	#1
Marco333 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 64	Temporarily using a different salt I have a 2 year old 40 gallon reef. I am going to be moving 7 hours away. I need premixed salt at my new house to help with moving my tank. The LFS by my new house sells premixed instant ocean and Red Sea coral pro salt. Since my tank was set up, I have always used Reef Crystals. Would it be ok to use the premixed salt from the LFS. If so, which mix would be better to use, the instant ocean or coral pro?

08/23/2019, 01:36 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	What you want to avoid is rapidly changing water parameters on the corals (I assume corals since you said "reef").. So it all depends on the parameters of your current tank and the parameters of each of those premixed water.. You may need to add alk/cal (likely alk more than anything) to their premixed to match with your current water to avoid a swing.. Baking soda may be all you need.. __________________ Who me?

08/24/2019, 08:19 AM	#4
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I have used various different salts over the years for water changes with no noticeable effects. I would not worry as long as parameters are the same. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

08/23/2019, 06:21 PM	#3
Kevin Guthrie Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 506	Important thing is to adjust the temp and salinity to match the water you bring your stock over in. If practical do the "new fish ritual" with bag in water. BTW not familiar with premix but even 20 gallons would be 160+ lbs of water.