Which Salt Mix...

gdwats2 · 04-03-2005, 02:45 PM

I have been bouncing back and forth between salt mixes and have decided this is a bad idea. Lately, I have used Oceanic because it is cheap and dissolves fast. I have since read on Melevs Reef that he had some troubles with it. I bought a 50gal make up of Red Sea mix yesterday (recomended by lfs) I later searched these forums for "salt mix". It seemed folks were not too thrilled w/Red Sea either. The old stanby Instant Ocean is used by more people than I thought, and I have yet to hear bad words about it. I think this will be my new salt mix...again. I am going to try to include a poll in this thread to see how many folks use which salt and trust the numbers. What is your opinion?

Thanks,
Greg

Woodstock · 04-03-2005, 02:50 PM

You can't go wrong with IO. With that being said, I use Oceanic and am very happy with it. As with any salt, check all new batches for ca, alk, ph and mag just to get to know them and adjust accordingly.

Gina · 04-03-2005, 03:00 PM

We use IO and have been pleased with it. We haven't had any major problems. On occassion we do have to adjust our Calcuim.

tx29fan · 04-03-2005, 03:09 PM

just switched to Kent after having Hi CA and low Alk problems with Oceanic..so far I like it

Reef Geek · 04-03-2005, 03:51 PM

I voted for other, Tropic Marine. I have tried IO (Ok) & Red Sea (didn't like it) but for some reason my corals really responded to the TM. I had smaller & less frequent algae problems and the the coloration of the corals was dramaticly improved.

NaH2O · 04-03-2005, 04:47 PM

I switched to IO from Oceanic because of the extremely high levels of Calcium and Magnesium combined with low alk when mixed to S=35. Supplementing calcium, IMO, is easier than trying to deal with skewed levels. All salts have weaknesses, so use what works best in your situation. Here is a calculator that helps when trying to supplement: Reef Chemistry Calculator

forestal · 04-03-2005, 06:51 PM

I have been using crystal seas...but am looking to switch to IO, due to high Ca, and low alk...plus other vaguer reasons

Sharkbait · 04-03-2005, 08:39 PM

I use Catalina water, it's natural sea water thats been purified. It's delivered to my store,convient,and all my inverts seem to love it.I've seen studies done on salt mixes and companies like catalina. Each has advantages and disadvantages, Naturals had a lot more minute trace elements within them. Thats what made up my mind overall.Good luck!

Witfull · 04-03-2005, 10:29 PM

i wouldnt use the new jersey sludge and toxic NSW

but maybe the corals would glow without actinics

sincityreefer · 04-05-2005, 01:10 AM

TROPIC MARIN..... TROPIC MARIN.... Its the best. I noticed the difference after my first water change with it. Its just "clearer" i know that sounds crazy but just try it and tell me, the next day, that your tank dosnt look "clearer" than it does with your regular salt.

Frankie · 04-05-2005, 01:38 AM

I use Nature's ocean water. www.naturesocean.com Im not big on synthetic salts but if I had to I would use Tropic Marine. i started with that salt and found it to be a good one. i have since switched over to natural salt water and dont think i will ever go back to synthetic.http://www.naturesocean.com/nutri_seawater.htm http://www.naturesocean.com/nutri_seawater_info.htm

strat · 04-05-2005, 01:52 AM

i used crystal sea i bought a couple of years ago when i had my first tank in mexico. and it may have sat at that store for awhile. i just put it in my tank of RO water and its pretty cloudy a couple of hours later. so i will wait till the morning to see what it looks like. i may have to chuck it and start over, good thing theres no LR in there, yikes.

Brucey · 04-05-2005, 04:32 AM

I used to use coralife as my LFS used to buy it in bulk and use in their own systems and so i used to get it very cheep. However, i have since switched to IO and am much happier with it's effects on my SPS's. Wouldn't gp back now but might try Kent Marine one day but it's a little expensive over here
Brucey

corvettephreek · 04-06-2005, 05:37 PM

i used instant ocean, seems like everyone here on the west coast in Cali uses it as well. recommended by everyone except one person. (he said I could use it as well

)

KimPossible · 04-19-2005, 01:05 AM

I use IO. My LFS is trying to sell me on Crystal Sea. I've heard mainly good things here on RS about IO so I think I'll just stay where I'm at.

View Poll Results: Which Salt Mix do You Use?
Instant Ocean	16	33.33%
Reef Crystals	2	4.17%
Oceanic	13	27.08%
Red Sea	3	6.25%
Kent Marine	4	8.33%
Coralife	0	0%
Other	10	20.83%
Voters: 48. You may not vote on this poll

04-03-2005, 02:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
gdwats2 Fire Coral Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 73 View Gallery Karma Komment	Which Salt Mix... I have been bouncing back and forth between salt mixes and have decided this is a bad idea. Lately, I have used Oceanic because it is cheap and dissolves fast. I have since read on Melevs Reef that he had some troubles with it. I bought a 50gal make up of Red Sea mix yesterday (recomended by lfs) I later searched these forums for "salt mix". It seemed folks were not too thrilled w/Red Sea either. The old stanby Instant Ocean is used by more people than I thought, and I have yet to hear bad words about it. I think this will be my new salt mix...again. I am going to try to include a poll in this thread to see how many folks use which salt and trust the numbers. What is your opinion? Thanks, Greg

04-03-2005, 02:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,501 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	You can't go wrong with IO. With that being said, I use Oceanic and am very happy with it. As with any salt, check all new batches for ca, alk, ph and mag just to get to know them and adjust accordingly. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

04-03-2005, 03:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,842 View Gallery Karma Komment	We use IO and have been pleased with it. We haven't had any major problems. On occassion we do have to adjust our Calcuim. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

04-03-2005, 03:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
tx29fan Midas Blenny Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lake Dallas Texas Posts: 109 View Gallery Karma Komment	just switched to Kent after having Hi CA and low Alk problems with Oceanic..so far I like it __________________ is there a 12 step program for this addiction???

04-03-2005, 03:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Reef Geek Reefus Geekus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fountain, CO Posts: 325 View Gallery Karma Komment	I voted for other, Tropic Marine. I have tried IO (Ok) & Red Sea (didn't like it) but for some reason my corals really responded to the TM. I had smaller & less frequent algae problems and the the coloration of the corals was dramaticly improved. __________________ Justin Stealth Reefer

04-03-2005, 04:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,929 View Gallery Karma Komment	I switched to IO from Oceanic because of the extremely high levels of Calcium and Magnesium combined with low alk when mixed to S=35. Supplementing calcium, IMO, is easier than trying to deal with skewed levels. All salts have weaknesses, so use what works best in your situation. Here is a calculator that helps when trying to supplement: Reef Chemistry Calculator __________________ ~Nikki~

04-03-2005, 06:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
forestal Torch coral Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vernon, CT Posts: 582 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	I have been using crystal seas...but am looking to switch to IO, due to high Ca, and low alk...plus other vaguer reasons __________________ Peace, Dan

04-03-2005, 08:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sharkbait Scopas Tang Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 438 View Gallery Karma Komment	I use Catalina water, it's natural sea water thats been purified. It's delivered to my store,convient,and all my inverts seem to love it.I've seen studies done on salt mixes and companies like catalina. Each has advantages and disadvantages, Naturals had a lot more minute trace elements within them. Thats what made up my mind overall.Good luck!

04-05-2005, 01:10 AM	#10 (permalink)
sincityreefer Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 110 View Gallery Karma Komment	TROPIC MARIN..... TROPIC MARIN.... Its the best. I noticed the difference after my first water change with it. Its just "clearer" i know that sounds crazy but just try it and tell me, the next day, that your tank dosnt look "clearer" than it does with your regular salt. __________________ Come check us out! http://www.sincityreef.com

04-05-2005, 01:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
Frankie Fuzzy Sticks Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: AStrangerInAStrangeLand Posts: 11,216 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	I use Nature's ocean water. www.naturesocean.com Im not big on synthetic salts but if I had to I would use Tropic Marine. i started with that salt and found it to be a good one. i have since switched over to natural salt water and dont think i will ever go back to synthetic.http://www.naturesocean.com/nutri_seawater.htm http://www.naturesocean.com/nutri_seawater_info.htm

04-05-2005, 01:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
strat Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 293 View Gallery Karma Komment	i used crystal sea i bought a couple of years ago when i had my first tank in mexico. and it may have sat at that store for awhile. i just put it in my tank of RO water and its pretty cloudy a couple of hours later. so i will wait till the morning to see what it looks like. i may have to chuck it and start over, good thing theres no LR in there, yikes. __________________ its a fish's life..... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner2.gif

04-05-2005, 04:32 AM	#13 (permalink)
Brucey Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Reading, England Posts: 1,292 View Gallery Karma Komment	I used to use coralife as my LFS used to buy it in bulk and use in their own systems and so i used to get it very cheep. However, i have since switched to IO and am much happier with it's effects on my SPS's. Wouldn't gp back now but might try Kent Marine one day but it's a little expensive over here Brucey __________________ 160UK Gallon. (192US Gallon). 400Lbs LR. Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 Shorty skimmer. Arcadia 3Series pendant (3x250W 14,000'K MH & 2x58W 60" actinic) (DIY cooling fan). Tunze 7095 Multicontroller & 2xTunze 6100 Streams. Redsea 100 Aquazone Plus ozonizer and redox computer. Aquamedic Ocean Runner 6500 return. TMC Vectron 30W UV sterilizer. Aquamedic Aquaniveau auto top up system through Deltec 500 kalk stirrer. PurityOnTap RO/DI. Deltec FR509 (ROWAPhos). Aquamedic PH computer controlling KNOP HD Calcium Reactor. Setup Nov 2002 See my tank here http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...&threadid=4486

04-06-2005, 05:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
corvettephreek Torch coral Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: northern california Posts: 562 View Gallery Karma Komment	i used instant ocean, seems like everyone here on the west coast in Cali uses it as well. recommended by everyone except one person. (he said I could use it as well ) __________________ Will (aka Willy Stylez) Will Foley Rolling Audio Sacramento, CA Mobile audio and security solutions Advanced level MECP installer

04-19-2005, 01:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
KimPossible Golden Moray Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 2,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	I use IO. My LFS is trying to sell me on Crystal Sea. I've heard mainly good things here on RS about IO so I think I'll just stay where I'm at. __________________ Kim ~My environment is a product of myself~

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