Red Sea Pro vs. Red Sea Salt

Chris918 · 11/22/2017, 01:13 PM

Hey guys I'm wanting to start my biggest tank project yet sometime in the Spring. That being said I'm planning all the minor details now before I start. I see a lot of back and forth on which Red Sea salt mix is best. One of the complaints I hear about the pro is that it leaves a residue in mixing containers. I'm unsure if this is an issue or not. What is this residue anyway? Other than that it seems that the Pro has much higher levels of Ca, dKH, and Mg. I'll admit I don't have much experience with SPS at this time and normally stick to LPS and softies, but I want the option open for SPS later in the tank's life. The problem with the mixed reef seems to be finding parameters that are as close to ideal as possible for a wide range of corals that need different lighting and flow patterns to keep them healthy. Any advice on which salt I should go with? What's your experience been?

mcgyvr · 11/22/2017, 01:45 PM

I personally find it best to target Oceanic levels or a bit higher in ones parameters.

Then I pick a salt thats readily available, low cost and matches my target levels so that I can do as much of a water change as I want and not have to worry about the parameters changing from that..

I think there seems to be a trend of people getting away from the "high level" mixes lately...

biecacka · 11/22/2017, 01:54 PM

I use IO. It's not the most expensive but it works for me. I believe that if you dose, or run a calcium reactor that a majority of the needs are met by those actions. Therefore no need to buy more expensive salt. JMO though. As mcgyvr stated, he buys a salt and then matches it to existing levels in his tank. <~~good advice.

Corey

Chris918 · 11/22/2017, 02:21 PM

Yeah I saw Coral Pro had very high levels of alkalinity for example. Much easier to dose a salt to get levels up then to do a ton of changes to get it down I'd imagine.

biecacka · 11/22/2017, 02:23 PM

Right. But you can use things to lower the Alk before you do the water change so it matches your tank. I think it's baking soda, but will check he chemistry forum first unless someone answers it here.

Corey

Shamous113 · 11/22/2017, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biecacka

Right. But you can use things to lower the Alk before you do the water change so it matches your tank. I think it's baking soda, but will check he chemistry forum first unless someone answers it here.

Corey

Baking soda increases alk, muriatic acid can be used to lower it but use with caution.

Shamous113 · 11/22/2017, 03:02 PM

I use to use IO reef crystals and didn't like how high teh alk was, I'm on my second box of seachem Vibrant Sea and i'm liking it so far. here is a good thread to read on salt mixes
A General Guide to Salt Mixes

biecacka · 11/22/2017, 03:06 PM

Shamous, thanks for clearing that up. I always get them backwards.

Corey

mcgyvr · 11/22/2017, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamous113

I use to use IO reef crystals and didn't like how high teh alk was, I'm on my second box of seachem Vibrant Sea and i'm liking it so far. here is a good thread to read on salt mixes
A General Guide to Salt Mixes

I have been using regular IO but only till I run out and I plan to switch too..
As even the regular IO is too high in ALK for me..
I've been keeping my alk at 8dKH lately..

hkgar · 11/22/2017, 03:20 PM

Here is a handy guide to various salt mix parameters. I had been using Red Sea because of the lower dKH (7.7). I have switched to Coralife for dKH level and low price.

Cancun · 11/22/2017, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris918

Hey guys I'm wanting to start my biggest tank project yet sometime in the Spring. That being said I'm planning all the minor details now before I start. I see a lot of back and forth on which Red Sea salt mix is best. One of the complaints I hear about the pro is that it leaves a residue in mixing containers. I'm unsure if this is an issue or not. What is this residue anyway? Other than that it seems that the Pro has much higher levels of Ca, dKH, and Mg. I'll admit I don't have much experience with SPS at this time and normally stick to LPS and softies, but I want the option open for SPS later in the tank's life. The problem with the mixed reef seems to be finding parameters that are as close to ideal as possible for a wide range of corals that need different lighting and flow patterns to keep them healthy. Any advice on which salt I should go with? What's your experience been?

Hi....I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt....I have never used another brand in 4 years of mixing my own water....I have a mixed reef some SPS...large Deresa Clam...and LPS...I do a 10% water change once a week. I mix my water at 1.025. I don't have to dose calcium. My calcium stays at 440-450.....I never noticed a residue at the bottom of my.mixing container. I love this salt mix...

Shamous113 · 11/22/2017, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biecacka

Shamous, thanks for clearing that up. I always get them backwards.

Corey

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

I have been using regular IO but only till I run out and I plan to switch too..
As even the regular IO is too high in ALK for me..
I've been keeping my alk at 8dKH lately..

so far i'm happy with switching, a box of seachem Vibrant Sea mixed at 1.026 makes about 170 US Gallons the price point is close to io reef crystals and the big 3 look pretty good Cal= 480, Mag= 1400, Alk= 9.6dKH.
The actual salt is a little granular, but it mixes well and has very little sediment.

whenry · 11/22/2017, 09:55 PM

I’ve used Red Sea and switched to pro about 6 water changes ago. The pro requires you pay attention to mixing temp and time to prevent precipitation.

ROB2005 · 11/22/2017, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

I have been using regular IO but only till I run out and I plan to switch too..
As even the regular IO is too high in ALK for me..
I've been keeping my alk at 8dKH lately..

What's the highest Alk reading you have gotten from regular IO? Been using Reef Crystals and my alk level is around 8.5-9

11/22/2017, 01:13 PM	#1
Chris918 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 174	Red Sea Pro vs. Red Sea Salt Hey guys I'm wanting to start my biggest tank project yet sometime in the Spring. That being said I'm planning all the minor details now before I start. I see a lot of back and forth on which Red Sea salt mix is best. One of the complaints I hear about the pro is that it leaves a residue in mixing containers. I'm unsure if this is an issue or not. What is this residue anyway? Other than that it seems that the Pro has much higher levels of Ca, dKH, and Mg. I'll admit I don't have much experience with SPS at this time and normally stick to LPS and softies, but I want the option open for SPS later in the tank's life. The problem with the mixed reef seems to be finding parameters that are as close to ideal as possible for a wide range of corals that need different lighting and flow patterns to keep them healthy. Any advice on which salt I should go with? What's your experience been?

11/22/2017, 01:45 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I personally find it best to target Oceanic levels or a bit higher in ones parameters. Then I pick a salt thats readily available, low cost and matches my target levels so that I can do as much of a water change as I want and not have to worry about the parameters changing from that.. I think there seems to be a trend of people getting away from the "high level" mixes lately... __________________ Who me?

11/22/2017, 03:02 PM	#7
Shamous113 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 81	I use to use IO reef crystals and didn't like how high teh alk was, I'm on my second box of seachem Vibrant Sea and i'm liking it so far. here is a good thread to read on salt mixes A General Guide to Salt Mixes __________________ Current tank: 150gal mixed reef display w/120gal basement sump

11/22/2017, 03:20 PM	#10
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Here is a handy guide to various salt mix parameters. I had been using Red Sea because of the lower dKH (7.7). I have switched to Coralife for dKH level and low price. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

11/22/2017, 01:54 PM	#3
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	I use IO. It's not the most expensive but it works for me. I believe that if you dose, or run a calcium reactor that a majority of the needs are met by those actions. Therefore no need to buy more expensive salt. JMO though. As mcgyvr stated, he buys a salt and then matches it to existing levels in his tank. <~~good advice. Corey

11/22/2017, 02:21 PM	#4
Chris918 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 174	Yeah I saw Coral Pro had very high levels of alkalinity for example. Much easier to dose a salt to get levels up then to do a ton of changes to get it down I'd imagine.

11/22/2017, 02:23 PM	#5
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	Right. But you can use things to lower the Alk before you do the water change so it matches your tank. I think it's baking soda, but will check he chemistry forum first unless someone answers it here. Corey

11/22/2017, 03:06 PM	#8
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	Shamous, thanks for clearing that up. I always get them backwards. Corey

11/22/2017, 09:55 PM	#13
whenry Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 6	I’ve used Red Sea and switched to pro about 6 water changes ago. The pro requires you pay attention to mixing temp and time to prevent precipitation.