Tropical Marin Salt

[lhkorn99]

I was in Reef Encounter today (Hackensack, NJ) just looking around and started talking to one of the sales people about salt mixes. While he sold various brands including Instant, Oceanic, etc..he told me that Tropical Marin was the best brand and that in a reef tank you would not need to add any trace elements when using this salt other than calc/alk.

Does anyone use this brand? Is is really better?

 

[Mr.First]

I was told the same exact thing by a LFS clerk. So, like a dope I switched from Reef Crystals. Can not notice anything different ,,,,yet.

 

[lhkorn99]

I was told the same exact thing by a LFS clerk. So, like a dope I switched from Reef Crystals. Can not notice anything different ,,,,yet.

Snce I joined MR I question anything anyone in a LFS tells me until I get it validated here .

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Stick with Reef crystals.No ph problems.

 

[thirty5]

I would definately not just go on an LFS word.... Remember that most LFS are in for the money, no matter how good of a store they are. I would not be srurpised if their markup is higher on the marin, therefore they make more money on each sale.

I personally use Instant Ocean, and only reason is because that is what i started with, and i dont even know why.

 

[lhkorn99]

I personally use Instant Ocean, and only reason is because that is what i started with, and i dont even know why.

I'm in the same boat...started with Oceanic, not sure why..Can anyone in MR who uses Tropical Marin tell what their Mg levels are? Do you need to dose Magnesium?

 

[reefman]

i believe theres a chart on comparisions on diff major brands of salt. not sure wheres the link, but it seems all salt mixes suck compare to NSW.

 

[NYreefNoob]

i use to use tropic and dont no more. trying reef crystals now, use to use red sea pro and liked it, it did keep mag, cal and alk in check and i have a sps tank

 

[thirty5]

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/seasaltmixes/l/aa090503b.htm

Check that out

 

[lhkorn99]

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/seasaltmixes/l/aa090503b.htm

Check that out

The link lists Mg for most at about 50...In a reef wouldn't you want about 1300? Are these measured in a different way?

 

[dreko]

I think Greenwich Aquaria uses Tropical Marin salt... I was told it's quite expensive, but worth it...
So I thought I would SLOWLY start weaning off Instant Ocean and on to Tropical Marin...

Have you seen Jason's show room tank!

I've also been waiting for Bornemans salt tests
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/eb/index.php

 

[reefman]

i thnk jasons success is way more than the salt mix he uses.

 

[bueller]

there is a differance between TM and IO......About $30.00...lol

 

[NYreefNoob]

i didnt notice anything different with tm, i did read on rc that it carries higher phos, and mag, cal and alk arent as good as other's. i really was happy with the red sea pro salt. kept my cal ect at better levels and wasnt doing, no one around here carries it though

 

[lfsmarineguy]

We use instant ocean and the IO reef crystals in our store tanks. The difference between the IO and the TM is marginal at best as far as visible results. I do not think it matters which one you use as much as what else you do to take care of your tank.

 

[scumonkey]

After more than 30+ years keeping marine tanks I've tried them all (salt brands)
While most will work with no problem.....
I use Tropic Marin Pro Reef.
There IS a Difference!
All manmade salts lack in something here or there.....
I've found with TM that the alk is nice and high - the calcium a bit low.
The biggest difference with this salt brand is that it mixes cleanly- instantly.
No white haze- no residual undissolved solids.
You can actually use it almost as fast as you can make it- not like other brands
where you have to mix a day or two ahead of time, and wait for the mix to settle down.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Scu, I don't know if you know this or not but the pro-reef, and this is out of the mouth of the president of the US branch of TM, is the exact same salt as regular TM it just has lower alk. It was designed for the european hobbyists and all the weird stuff they do with their tanks where they are constantly trying to keep their alk down to the right level from Kalk and such.

 

[yeahcheetah]

The link lists Mg for most at about 50...In a reef wouldn't you want about 1300? Are these measured in a different way?

You did not check the chart explanations in small letters.

 

[Killerdrgn]

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/seasaltmixes/l/aa090503b.htm

Check that out

Yeah that table is from 1999.

But to the point of this thread i've been told seachem reef salt is the best, IO reef crystals is the best, all from difference LFS's. Though i see IO most predominantly everywhere i go.
Personally i mix salts to hedge my bets.