Which brand of SALT do you use??? - Page 6

misbehavior · 10-04-2005, 01:56 PM

I use Instant Ocean because I am new and insecure and that is what my LFS recommended.

Shells · 10-04-2005, 06:22 PM

With my first tank I used I.O.
My second tank, which is the tank i have now I switched mid
stream to Marine Envirnment 2part.

I love the ease of mixing. My coraline algae seems to grow
before my eyes after a water change. The water is
crystal clear. My PH is stablized where before with the I.O.
it would fluctuate too much. My calcium levels are much
higher. (which is why my coraline does so well, thats my
opinion)

cant say enough good stuff ...

Craig Manoukian · 10-06-2005, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shells

With my first tank I used I.O.
My second tank, which is the tank i have now I switched mid
stream to Marine Envirnment 2part.

I love the ease of mixing. My coraline algae seems to grow
before my eyes after a water change. The water is
crystal clear. My PH is stablized where before with the I.O.
it would fluctuate too much. My calcium levels are much
higher. (which is why my coraline does so well, thats my
opinion)

cant say enough good stuff ...

Wow, another person completely satisfied with Marine Environment 2 Part salt! Rougiem is also having great luck with that salt.

cleartank · 10-06-2005, 12:55 PM

I too switched to Marine Environment 2 Part salt after talking salt with the owner of the company who was able to solve the problems I was having with Oceanic and IO.

snaz · 10-08-2005, 12:32 AM

Kent Marine salt,
I use it because every time I pull out my 5 gallon bucket full of test kits, and test my water.......... (10 hours later)

every thing looks good; except for my calcium levels LOL. Man,,, I wish I could afford a calcium reactor.

Brad

snaz · 10-08-2005, 12:52 AM

I'm not sure and I dont want to cause any arguments, but I'm thinking that there is a huge mark up on IO, because all LFS seem to recomend it.

If you own a LFS and you could make more mony by selling brand A, wouldnt you recommend Brand A over Brand B?

Woodstock · 10-09-2005, 05:46 PM

I used to use IO for years but switched to Oceanic salt a long time ago. I am very familiar with both the salts strengths and weakness and have chosen to stick with Oceanic. Here are some testing results of newly made oceanic salt using ro/di done today:

(NOTE: the alk supplement is the wrong type thus the drop in PH I am on the hunt for a true sodium carbonate supplement that will raise the PH and alk. I expect 1/4 teaspoon of a carbonate supplement per 5 gal will fix the PH and alk perfectly.)

Temp = 78.6
Salinity = 35 ppt
PH = 8.06
Alk = 2.86 meg/l
Ca = 480 ppm
mg = 1530 ppm

AFTER adding Seachem's Reef Builder (sodium BIcarbonate):
PH = 7.99
Alk = 4.28 meg/l
Ca = 450 ppm

Again... a true sodium carbonate supplement of approx 1/4 teaspoon per 5 gal will raise the alk and the PH to perfect levels. Even with this needed adjustment, I am happy with the salt's performance.

Woodstock · 11-28-2005, 11:51 AM

...I will be switching salt brands in a few months....

Mad Mike · 12-04-2005, 12:07 PM

I'm using IO but have recently noticed when I mix I get like a film on the top of the bucket. Seems kinda heavy and glossy. Any ideas what this is? When I mix I dont airate but I do circulate with a PH.

Woodstock · 12-13-2005, 12:16 AM

No clue Madmike ... If you figure it out, please let us know!

reefjitsu · 12-13-2005, 07:22 AM

I have been using Oceanic since it came out with no issues. I also use IO occasionally, mostly when I can't get Oceanic. Do any of you guys mix your salt before adding it to water? I always have wondered if the weird reactions and readings that people get from salts is not due to settling and stratification of ingredients. I always mix up my salt before making fresh SW to counteract the effects of settling that occur during shipping. I have been told that manufacturers go to great lengths to achieve uniform particle size, but the ingedients still have different weights and so will settle into different layers in the container due to vibrations during shipping. Just a theory of mine what do you guys think?

Craig Manoukian · 12-14-2005, 12:54 AM

Great theory RJ! I have to agree with your analysis.

I always mix a concentrated slurry of 25 gallon salt, Marine Environment 2 Part salt, in a five gallon bucket. I then stir the slurry and add to water until I get 1.026 in Specific Gravity measured via refractometer. I've never had any negative issues over a 3 1/2 year period.

Shells · 12-14-2005, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Manoukian

I always mix a concentrated slurry of 25 gallon salt, Marine Environment 2 Part salt, in a five gallon bucket. I then stir the slurry and add to water until I get 1.026 in Specific Gravity measured via refractometer. I've never had any negative issues over a 3 1/2 year period.

Great Idea guys. I'm gonna try this. =) Question, do
you store this slurry as is, covered? Or do you mix
imediately into your R/O water???

Woodstock · 12-14-2005, 01:50 PM

Hummmm.... to slurry or not to slurry...

How much salt can you manage to mix into 5 gallons of water? I guess there is a thick sediment that settles?

Craig Manoukian · 12-15-2005, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodstock

How much salt can you manage to mix into 5 gallons of water? I guess there is a thick sediment that settles?

I use a 25 gallon rated bag of salt and mix the slurry in warm water. I stir the slurry vigouresly before adding it to water to the proper dilution. I've never had any suspension or mixing problems Doni.

View Poll Results: Which Brand of Salt Do You Use?
Instant Ocean	185	51.39%
Reef Crystals	45	12.50%
Red Sea	17	4.72%
Tropic Marin	35	9.72%
Coralife	20	5.56%
Kent	18	5.00%
Seachem	5	1.39%
Marine Environment 2 part	5	1.39%
Bio-Sea	6	1.67%
Other (please specify below...)	24	6.67%
Voters: 360. You may not vote on this poll

10-04-2005, 01:56 PM	#76 (permalink)
misbehavior Midas Blenny Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 123 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which brand of SALT do you use??? I use Instant Ocean because I am new and insecure and that is what my LFS recommended.

10-04-2005, 06:22 PM	#77 (permalink)
Shells Sea Pen Join Date: May 2005 Location: Biloxi, MS Posts: 313 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which brand of SALT do you use??? With my first tank I used I.O. My second tank, which is the tank i have now I switched mid stream to Marine Envirnment 2part. I love the ease of mixing. My coraline algae seems to grow before my eyes after a water change. The water is crystal clear. My PH is stablized where before with the I.O. it would fluctuate too much. My calcium levels are much higher. (which is why my coraline does so well, thats my opinion) cant say enough good stuff ...

10-06-2005, 12:55 PM	#79 (permalink)
cleartank Bryozoan Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 54 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which brand of SALT do you use??? I too switched to Marine Environment 2 Part salt after talking salt with the owner of the company who was able to solve the problems I was having with Oceanic and IO.

10-08-2005, 12:32 AM	#80 (permalink)
snaz Fire Coral Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 70 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which brand of SALT do you use??? Kent Marine salt, I use it because every time I pull out my 5 gallon bucket full of test kits, and test my water.......... (10 hours later) every thing looks good; except for my calcium levels LOL. Man,,, I wish I could afford a calcium reactor. Brad

10-08-2005, 12:52 AM	#81 (permalink)
snaz Fire Coral Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 70 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which brand of SALT do you use??? I'm not sure and I dont want to cause any arguments, but I'm thinking that there is a huge mark up on IO, because all LFS seem to recomend it. If you own a LFS and you could make more mony by selling brand A, wouldnt you recommend Brand A over Brand B?

10-09-2005, 05:46 PM	#82 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 24,023 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Oceanic I used to use IO for years but switched to Oceanic salt a long time ago. I am very familiar with both the salts strengths and weakness and have chosen to stick with Oceanic. Here are some testing results of newly made oceanic salt using ro/di done today: (NOTE: the alk supplement is the wrong type thus the drop in PH I am on the hunt for a true sodium carbonate supplement that will raise the PH and alk. I expect 1/4 teaspoon of a carbonate supplement per 5 gal will fix the PH and alk perfectly.) Temp = 78.6 Salinity = 35 ppt PH = 8.06 Alk = 2.86 meg/l Ca = 480 ppm mg = 1530 ppm AFTER adding Seachem's Reef Builder (sodium BIcarbonate): PH = 7.99 Alk = 4.28 meg/l Ca = 450 ppm Again... a true sodium carbonate supplement of approx 1/4 teaspoon per 5 gal will raise the alk and the PH to perfect levels. Even with this needed adjustment, I am happy with the salt's performance. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

11-28-2005, 11:51 AM	#83 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 24,023 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Which brand of SALT do you use??? ...I will be switching salt brands in a few months.... __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

12-04-2005, 12:07 PM	#84 (permalink)
Mad Mike Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: LI, NY Posts: 272 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which brand of SALT do you use??? I'm using IO but have recently noticed when I mix I get like a film on the top of the bucket. Seems kinda heavy and glossy. Any ideas what this is? When I mix I dont airate but I do circulate with a PH.

12-13-2005, 12:16 AM	#85 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 24,023 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Which brand of SALT do you use??? No clue Madmike ... If you figure it out, please let us know! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

12-13-2005, 07:22 AM	#86 (permalink)
reefjitsu Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Magic City Posts: 750 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which brand of SALT do you use??? I have been using Oceanic since it came out with no issues. I also use IO occasionally, mostly when I can't get Oceanic. Do any of you guys mix your salt before adding it to water? I always have wondered if the weird reactions and readings that people get from salts is not due to settling and stratification of ingredients. I always mix up my salt before making fresh SW to counteract the effects of settling that occur during shipping. I have been told that manufacturers go to great lengths to achieve uniform particle size, but the ingedients still have different weights and so will settle into different layers in the container due to vibrations during shipping. Just a theory of mine what do you guys think? __________________ You can't give up hope just because it's hopeless. You got to keep on hoping and cover your ears and go "blah blah blah blah"- Futurama

12-14-2005, 12:54 AM	#87 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 18,386 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Which brand of SALT do you use??? Great theory RJ! I have to agree with your analysis. I always mix a concentrated slurry of 25 gallon salt, Marine Environment 2 Part salt, in a five gallon bucket. I then stir the slurry and add to water until I get 1.026 in Specific Gravity measured via refractometer. I've never had any negative issues over a 3 1/2 year period. __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

12-14-2005, 01:50 PM	#89 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 24,023 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Which brand of SALT do you use??? Hummmm.... to slurry or not to slurry... How much salt can you manage to mix into 5 gallons of water? I guess there is a thick sediment that settles? __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

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