What Salt Should I Use?

[PolandSpring]

Hey guys.. i was just wondering what salt i should use.. either Trpoic Marin Pro Salt Mix -- http://www.marinedepot.com/Tropic_M...uarium_Water-Tropic_Marin-TP1113-FISM-vi.html

or
Coralife Scientific Grade Marine Salt -- http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife..._Aquarium_Water-Coralife-ES00700-FISM-vi.html

 

[lazibonez]

Adam, I have a salt mix comparison chart on different saltmix companies, but its in PDF file. I can email it to you if u like.

If ur concern is only on Cal, Alk, and Mg, then

Corallife is higher in Calcium and Alkalinity
Tropic Marin Pro Reef is higher in Magnesium

I never used Tropic Marin Pro Reef. I heard its great.
I use corallife myself, because of my sps dominated tanks intake, I dose 2 parts using a doser along with manually dosing MG once in a while.

I see a major price difference between these two brands, so its really a matter of budget. If u can afford Tropic Marin, go for it, otherwise Corallife is an inexpensive good saltmix. Hope this helps.

 

[chessmanmark]

Hey Allan, how does Reef Crystals fit into your chart?

 

[lazibonez]

Hey Allan, how does Reef Crystals fit into your chart?

Mark, how are u?

lets see..

Reef Crystal is highest in Alk, Lowest in Mg, and middle in Cal compared to Coralife and Tropic Marin reef.

 

[lazibonez]

Doh just found this.. under another thread here.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1287118&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Slightly different from my chart.

The chart i have compares more than just Cal,Alk,MG
It also compares Salinity, Conductivity, Bromine, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phoshate, Silica, Potassium, Boron, Molybdenum, Strontium, Iodine, Copper.
But not everyone is concerned with those other elements.

 

[mray]

That chart on RC is more up to date than the pdf you have. The formula for Reef Crystal was recently changed and the Cal, Alk, and Mg numbers look really good.

 

[lazibonez]

That chart on RC is more up to date than the pdf you have. The formula for Reef Crystal was recently changed and the Cal, Alk, and Mg numbers look really good.

True that.

 

[chessmanmark]

Wow. Reef Crystals even looks better than D&D on that chart. Thanks for the reference.

The frags you sold me are doing well Allan.

 

[lazibonez]

Wow. Reef Crystals even looks better than D&D on that chart. Thanks for the reference.

The frags you sold me are doing well Allan.

No problem. Yes, new reef crystal definitely improved.
Awesome.

 

[PolandSpring]

So if it doesnt matter with the budget should i just go Tropic Marin Pro? I will have a sps dominated tank with zoos rics and acans mainly..

 

[lazibonez]

Go for it! Its one of the best salt mix out there.

 

[jackson6745]

IMO/IME
After having saltwater tanks for almost 15 years......It doesn't make a difference which QUALITY salt that you use. The base is all the same. Additions to the base such as higher alk, cal, mg etc.....doesn't justify the higher prices. Besides a healthy tank will suck down those levels in a day. I say buy a cheap salt that is phosphate free and mixes clear. Coralife is a good choice IMO.

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

+1 for coralife.....

 

[LongIslandAndy]

+1 for coralife

 

[Galantra]

I agree with Rich, in all honesty will you be dosing Calcuim into your tank or other elements? The main diffrence between brands of salt is the higher levels of certain elements. I have notice that some people pick out the salt they are going to use based on there size to lessen the amout of work they would have to put in chemical wise. Most of their tanks are on the smaller size, and adding buckets of fresh new water once the tank is healthy doesn't really help change the levels as much as you think unless you are doing large WC.

 

[e.muehlbauer]

Years ago, Coralife had a terrible reputation...although I used it once back then without problems...but I have always stuck with Instant Ocean...never any problems, and cheap enough.

 

[PolandSpring]

i ended up going with tropic marin pro..i have never heard any problems from it and it was only $30 more..so ill see how it goes.. :splitspin