Salt recommendation

[polarbear]

So I'm about to place an order for some more salt. I'm currently using Instant Ocean and have not had any problems with it yet; however, I wanted to ask what others are using and why you chose to use it. Have you seen improvements since you started using one brand over another?

[CoryDude]

Can't recommend one over the other. I've tried the expensive salts like Tropic Marin bioactif and hw marinemix and neither was better than the less expensive brands.

I prefer reef crystals only because it mixes with a higher calcium and carbonate hardness and is better suited for my sps tank. But, I use regular instant ocean for my mixed lps and softie tank.

[Squiers007]

Yeah, as Cory said, it really depends on what you are keeping in your tank. If it is a FOWLR, then going with something cheap like Instant Ocean is fine, but if you plan to keep a lot of SPS you will want to go with a salt mix that has higher calcium and magnesium levels when mixed up. I have used Reef crystals in the past with good success, but am currently using Red Sea Coral Pro and really like it. Made a batch this weekend at 35ppt that tested to 460 CA and 1300 MG. Plus it dissolves fairly quickly and the pH doesn't take long to stabilize ~ 6-8hrs., though I always mix for at least 24hrs. unless there's an emergency. (havn't tested the Reef crystals for this so I can't comment)

[polarbear]

Right now I only have 3 SPS corals as a test run. Everything else are softies and zoas.

[CoryDude]

Try reef crystals. It's about $10 more for a 200 gallon box and is pretty reliable. I forgot about red sea. It's a good one too.

[polarbear]

Thanks.

[reefreak]

i had instant ocean salt on my tank its good but just alot of salt creep

[Mike]

We have been doing 1/2 reef crystals and 1/2 instant ocean (not our idea, it was suggested by another MAASTard- BSJF). Using straight reef crystals we were getting more nuisance algae than we wanted, so using 1/2 and 1/2 gives the best of both worlds. We buy a box of each and just refill a salt bucket with one bag from each box. It is a little cheaper and seems to work out better for us.

[Bill S]

I'm a long-time Reef Crystals user, but I like what Mike and BSJF do.