Best Salt Mix

[edge78041]

What is the best type of saltmixes? Also, is it possible to make your own>?

Thanks.

[NaCl_H2O]

Oh boy ... here we go again :roll

First, I don;t think you could make your own. Comercially available saltmixes contain teace elements at levels to mimic natural seawater.

The "Best" commercially available saltmix is a completely subjective decision. I use Instant Ocean, I recently stopped using Oceanic, I have tried Reef Crystals but the cost was too high. All had their pluses and minuses. What type of tank? Size, FO,FOWLR, LPS, SPS, ???

[GaryP]

Best Salt Water?

Move to Fiji and pump in straight from the reef. Real simple. 100% water change every day, no skimmer, no filters, no nothing.

Ohhh, you said salt mix. Never mind. :)

[::pete::]

Ill dig up a good old link I have ...

[tgray]

If you can find some old Spotte books on marine aquaria they may have salt mix formulas. Not practical probably but there are some out there.

[CD]

We were going to try mixing IO (our normal brand) and Oceanic in equal parts to see what would result, but sold the bucket of Oceanic before we had a chance to do so...has anybody ever tried this?

W. :)

[::pete::]

Im doing it now ... nothing out of the ordinary to post, but only 3 water changes so far. I wasnt throwing the bucket of Oceanic out ;)

[NaCl_H2O]

Well, I guess you could say I am "mixing them". Started with 100% Oceanic when I setup my tank and used Oceanic for 8+ months. Did a couple of BIG 20% water changes (that is 100g on my tanks) for three weeks in a row, now I do 15% WC (80g) every two weeks. Ca/dKH/PH stability is FAR better, and coral growth, color, and polyp extension is MUCH improved.

[LoneStar]

Move to Fiji and pump in straight from the reef. Real simple. 100% water change every day, no skimmer, no filters, no nothing.


Yeah I would have to go with Gary on this but make a small change. I would go with water from Guam. Just returned from there a month ago and its the cleanest and the best water I've seen... :shades

[bigdscobra]

Iam mixing IO and Oceanic Still havent noticed a difference from strait oceanic. :blink

[LoneStar]

well then just try straight IO !!

[bigdscobra]

nah still have half a bucket of Oceanic left.

[Bill S]

I've been around for a while - if any of you remember what it was like keeping marine fish in the '70s... Yeah, I know, most of y'all weren't around yet.

As a kid (7th grade thru college) I worked in a large east coast tropical fish store ( I became a molecular biologist - and never used it). The guy who wrote the Marine column for TFH also made salt mix in the store warehouse. Seven Seas was the name brand. He had his Masters in the analysis of sea water. He used a BIG cement mixer to make his salt, and we'd laugh when he sprinkled gold dust into the mixer - which bag of salt got one of the gold dust particles!

In any case, all of today's mixes are far superior to what we used to have - better than REAL sea water - because of the buffering capabilities and the elements that are specifically added to benefit corals, etc.

[LoneStar]

but it seems like you HAVE to pick a side....
:skeezy

Oceanic Crypts IO Bloods

[NaCl_H2O]

but it seems like you HAVE to pick a side

Yea, Wendy is soft and can't pick a side, so she is "mixing" :roll

[CD]

Yea, Wendy is soft and can't pick a side, so she is "mixing"


LOL.... :lol
Actually, we sold the bucket of Oceanic before I could mix 'em to see the results...so I guess I'm a "Bloods"

W. :)

[cpreefguy]

When I had my 15g, I used the 5 gallon "Natural Sea Water" boxes, pumped from Catalina Island. I was skeptical at first, but after my first water change, my corals and fish looked better than ever.

[purplesprite]

so by mixing the oceanic with io it would kinda bring the extra calcium down huh?i just bought a bucket and realized the cal content was too much.(thanks steve)i cant get my alk to go up.

[GaryP]

Oceanic Salt only seems to work in large SPS tanks with a high calcium demand. For FO, softy, and new systems I think IO or Kent is a better way to go.

I'm using Oceanic, but this is in a system where my calcium demand is such that I have to add calcium on a daily basis on top of the water changes. The only real advantage for Oceanic for me is that it allows me to back off on my calcium additions for a few days after a water change. I will probably go back to IO when the anticipated price increase for Oceanic hits the LFS.

[JeffCo]

I had problems previously with Oceanic, so when I set my new tank up I am using IO and it's a big SPS tank. I just have to raise the calcium in my mixing bucket before I do the water change. It's working great.

[Ram_Puppy]

Gary, I think he would have better results if he pumped his water in from palau.