CCR Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1287118 about salt What's your opinion and why do you use what you do??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I switched salt about 6 weeks ago and used the same guide in making my choice. The salt I was using before required weekly dosing to get the calcium levels up in the 400 range whereas the new salt I switched to has it over 420 now without a reactor or any dosing. All of the other levels were also at acceptable levels last weekend when I checked everything. It has the bonus of costing less than most of the others as well. (Actually less since I don't have to buy the 3 part doses, for now anyway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason7504 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 what salt did you switch too rick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 what salt did you switch too rick? I switched from Crystal Sea Marinemix to the Ocean Pure. Both can be found at LFS in the PDX area for about $40 (150g). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason7504 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 cool..what is your pH, alk and mg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 When I tested last weekend: PH 8.4 (Varies a little but I light my sump at night to keep it from changing much) Ca 430 Kh 12.2 Mg 1260 Keep in mind I have only changed about a third of the water out over 6 weeks. To get really good figures it will take a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason7504 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 hmm it seems like good salt so far though..good parameters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Interesting....nice post. I will say they don't list differences in "ingredients". For instance Tropic Marin and D&D both have fairly long ingredient lists compared to some of other salts listed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I'm using Reef Crystals but don't get those same readings. I switched from Red Sea Coral Pro because of that 31.99 sale at fostersmith. I had really good results with both these salts. I'm going to stick to them for the foreseeable future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I use Seachem reef salt, but plan on switching to the D & D salt for the new systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I've been using the seachem too and it seems like good salt. What is prompting the switch Bob? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefer Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I got tired of "consistent inconsistencies" between buckets of salt. Despite being anal about testing samples, my water parameters never tested out what bucket said they would. Buckets settle, mixed ingredients separate...the top half of a bucket and bottom half usually ended up very different. Plus add in anti-caking agents, extra boron etc...prolonged aerating still never provided crystal clear saltwater I was looking for. Buckets first in line for filling different from those later on... Then I decided to get real serious, move more towards ULNS (Zeovit) and went with "hand-made salt" from gettanked. See link below. No anti-caking agents...no residues...crystal clear with parameters that are spot on every time...EVERY TIME!!!(rock2) http://www.gettankedaquariums.com/index_file/Home.Product.List.Page.File/Home.Product.List.Page...htm DrMerle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Which bucket salt where you using that gave you problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share Posted August 14, 2009 I looked for pricing and couldn't find it on the hand mix. I started using D-D salt and have done a total of 85 gal water change. The ca is 560 and alk 7. Not happy at all with the readings I was using oceanic for 5 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undrtkr_00 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I switched from Crystal Sea Marinemix to Kent a few months back and have been pretty happy with it. I can confirm that the results they have posted on that RC link are pretty consistent with my experience (for both salts), though there is a fair amount of variance from one batch to the next (with all salts from what I have heard). I make up decent sized batches (35-40g), so I don't think it's just a matter of having too small of a sample. See ranges below: Ca: 390-520 Alk: 7-10 Mag: 1080-1280 That is over 5 batches of Kent salt from 2 different buckets. I am happier with the Kent than with the Marinemix, but may try out Seachem depending on local supply. BTW - my worst batch of Marinemix, which prompted the switch, tested out with the following: Ca: 260 Alk: 5.5 Mag: 900 I figured out what I would need to add for supplements and realized it would just be cheaper to buy a new bucket of salt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Ocean Pure does come in a bucket however inside the bucket it actually has 3 separate bags so it should actually be less likely to separate out than for instance the Crystal Sea Marinemix which is a single bag inside a box. No experience with others so I don't know how they are packaged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefer Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I used Reef Crystals for 3 years...never got consistency, now that I think about it...I always assumed I was too sloppy to get consistency....always had to "doctor" water, add this, add that to get parameters to come out where they were supposed to according to bucket. Water barrel had brown residue, cloudy, slow disolving salt, despite heated water waiting with pump running and slow addition. DrMerle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I've read that thread on RC about getting the brown residue, cloudy water etc with Reef Crystals. I'm on my 3rd bucket and have never seen that problem. I did get that problem with: Oceanic Red Sea Coral Pro (if i let it sit for longer than 48 hrs otherwise crystal clear water) IO My worst experience was with regular IO. CA: 200ppm Alk: 3.8DKH pH: 7.2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Same experience with RSCP Impur, I only run it 12 hours before WC and then use it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefer Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 See what I'm saying...doesn't "having to use saltwater within x amount of time" bother anybody? It bothers me...if it is doing that in a barrel, why wouldn't it be under going similar change in our tanks...we just can't tell because it is part of a bigger volume... DrMerle(scratch) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefer Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I'm on a rant now...stand back!!! I want to make up saltwater and say "yes, that is what I am paying for...parameters exactly in line with 1) what my tank needs and 2) exactly what I thought I was paying for!!! Don't shout me down, good God Almighty!!! DrMerle(wife) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I have been using a 50\50 mix of Tropic Marin and Tropic Marin Pro Reef ever since I moved here from So Cal where I was using actual sea water. No BS. They pump it out from about 2 miles and it runs through some massive sand filter. We were getting it from SCRIPTS. They used it in their marine science lab. Anyway, as stated Tropic Marin here and zero issues with water. I do not dose....for anything.....EVER and get excellent results. I have witnesses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate213 Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I looked for pricing and couldn't find it on the hand mix. Id also like to know what the pricing is from get tanked. Bob - do you know what the cost is for the 150 gallon kit? I have been using Seachem Reef Salt and have very good luck. My calcium numbers are always good, and so far I can keep it up with only water changes. But Im always looking for something better, especially if the cost is nearly the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I'm on a rant now...stand back!!! I want to make up saltwater and say "yes, that is what I am paying for...parameters exactly in line with 1) what my tank needs and 2) exactly what I thought I was paying for!!! Don't shout me down, good God Almighty!!! DrMerle(wife) Its just too much to ask!!! (laugh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Anyone planning on using the Seachem Aquavitro salt mix or Brightwell Aquatics NeoMarine salt mix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.