Salt Mix

[txg8gxp]

So, what salt mix is everyone using...and why? I'm using seachem salinity, but don't know if I will stay once I use up my bucket. This does seem to be a good salt mix, but must be mixed for a long time. I guess this will only work if you have dosing pumps, but it seems no salt is perfect...so why use expensive stuff. I've been debating going to cheap quick mixing salt and dosing ca/alk/mag/trace elements as needed. It seems some of the best tanks I have seen use basic salt and adjust it to there needs. I was thinking about oceanic or reef crystals, still looking around though. I would like to hear others opinions on the subject.

[BIGBIRD123]

I have been using reef crystals for about 5 yrs with no problems at all. It mixes fast and has good readings...thought about changing but don't need to fix what ain't broke...

[Kenya]

Same as bigbird123 reef crystals. some good stuff

[alton]

X3 for Reef Crystals

[Europhyllia]

I started out with Reef Crystals but switched after reading up more on salt. I have used premium salt (Tropic Marin) in the past and it was okay. Part of my decision was based on studies in regards to heavy metals/pollutants in the salt.
Right now I am doing a lot of water changes on a big tank though and I switched to the cheap stuff: Coralife. It mixes up well and even in the big bucket it comes in separate bags so it's mixed evenly and doesn't get clumpy over time.
I briefly switched to a mid range salt - Red Sea Coral Pro- because I was out of Coralife. Didn't like that one. Seemed to mix much less clean and leave white crust/film in my 44 gallon mixing trash can.
I've seen some great reviews on the ESV 4-part salt. Once I am out of Coralife I'd like to try it out.
I think if I go back to premium salt I will go to something that is really different like the ESV rather than similar bucket salt with a higher price tag. I like that you can customize the values on the ESV, that it mixes up completely clear and can be used the same day and I do believe that trace elements may really be better off in liquid form separate than all mixed in and potentially wasted in a dry salt mix.
So for now it's either Coralife cheap stuff or ESV for me.

Here's my ratings (5 star being perfect):

Reef Crystals - ***
Tropic Marin - *** (liked it better than RC but price is so high so I give it only 3 stars)
Oceanic - ** (dissolved okay but left a lot of deposits)
Red Sea Coral Pro - ** (again too much deposits)
Coralife - ****
ESV - B-ionic - will try next

[BSJF]

1/2 Instant Ocean and 1/2 Reef Crystals, then add mag.

[hobogato]

tried salinity this time, but will be going back to reef crystals when the bucket is empty for the same reasons you mentioned stephen

[CoryDude]

Can't say the expensive stuff is better than basic mixes. I've tried TM Bioactif and didn't see much change after using 2 buckets. Sticking with reef crystals like everyone else. Pretty consistant levels every mix and 1/2 the price of bioactif.

Then only premium salt mix I felt was worth the extra $$$ was HW Marinemix. But, it's hard to find anyone who carries it locally.

[Big_Pun]

REEF CRYSTALS !!!

[Bill S]

I grew up on IO. Switched to Kent a few years back. Then to Reef Crystals. Wouldn't change again. Of course, that may be due to the 6 buckets I still have in the garage!

[txav8r]

Yet another for reef cryatals

[RayAllen]

think i will be switching to reef crystals when its time for me to buy some new salt

[jrsatx20]

i use IO. never had problems with it but never tried n e thing else

[txg8gxp]

I do like the sound of the ESV, I almost got some when they first released it. They claim all 4 parts can be mixed in a hour then it's ready for use. I will go with that or reef crystals and just add my own extra's too it.


I started out with Reef Crystals but switched after reading up more on salt. I have used premium salt (Tropic Marin) in the past and it was okay. Part of my decision was based on studies in regards to heavy metals/pollutants in the salt.
Right now I am doing a lot of water changes on a big tank though and I switched to the cheap stuff: Coralife. It mixes up well and even in the big bucket it comes in separate bags so it's mixed evenly and doesn't get clumpy over time.
I briefly switched to a mid range salt - Red Sea Coral Pro- because I was out of Coralife. Didn't like that one. Seemed to mix much less clean and leave white crust/film in my 44 gallon mixing trash can.
I've seen some great reviews on the ESV 4-part salt. Once I am out of Coralife I'd like to try it out.
I think if I go back to premium salt I will go to something that is really different like the ESV rather than similar bucket salt with a higher price tag. I like that you can customize the values on the ESV, that it mixes up completely clear and can be used the same day and I do believe that trace elements may really be better off in liquid form separate than all mixed in and potentially wasted in a dry salt mix.
So for now it's either Coralife cheap stuff or ESV for me.

Here's my ratings (5 star being perfect):

Reef Crystals - ***
Tropic Marin - *** (liked it better than RC but price is so high so I give it only 3 stars)
Oceanic - ** (dissolved okay but left a lot of deposits)
Red Sea Coral Pro - ** (again too much deposits)
Coralife - ****
ESV - B-ionic - will try next

[cbianco]

I've used Instant Ocean almost exclusively. I did have a brief stint with Oceanic a few years ago but my corals didn't respond so well to the switch.

IO is cheap and seems to work however, I do have to mix it overnight in order to get a "clean" batch of water. I supplement with B-Ionic 2 part and DT's magnesium.

I'm all about K.I.S.S., lol.

Christopher :)

[alexdmg]

I've used Kent without any problems for a couple of years now, but after reading this thread, I might give Reef Crystals a shot.