Salt mix?

[jrossjr79]

Here soon I am going to need to buy more mix. When I got this tank I had gotten some sea salt and a bag of unopened reef crystals. What is the difference, and which is better. I know this based on matter of opinion, so if you use one or the other, please state why.

thanks

[koa25]

I use salinity salt mix. It is some awesome stuff. You get way more bang for you buck than other salts. I use to use Reef Crystals and i have noticed much happier corals since switching to salinity.

salinity™ is a blend of salts specifically formulated for the reef aquarium that contains all essential major, minor, and trace components found in natural reef waters, but contains no toxic or non-essential components. Additionally, salinity™ is the most concentrated salt blend on the market. With a hydration level of <0.5% salinity™ will yield a greater volume of prepared saltwater at a salinity of 35‰ per unit of weight than any other salt mix currently on the market.

salinity™ is identical to the distribution of anions and cations found in Natural Sea Water (NSW). We have compiled data from all the oceans and seas on the Earth, and have targeted the midpoint of the range for each element. We guarantee to be within ± 3% of the midpoint. For example, at a salinity of 35‰, for calcium, magnesium, and strontium, we have the following targets and ranges.
Calcium: target 422 mg/L, range 409 to 435 mg/L
Magnesium: target 1336 mg/L, range 1296 to 1376 mg/L
Strontium: target 8.4 mg/L, range 8.1 to 8.7 mg/L

Alkalinity and pH values vary widely over the Earth’s oceans. salinity™ will be within the following ranges:
pH: 8.4 to 8.6
Alkalinity: 3.2 to 3.8 meq/L

[Big_Pun]

ive used basically all of them and ive been using salinity for the past year on my 150g and its been the best move for my tank. i actually mix it till its clear and then use it right away no problems. i have a few diff mixes i can sell you, i know i have reef crystals and bucket of some salt i got from my sis who works for petco but only carried on west coast for some reason.

[electricrcplane]

Yeah salinity rocks. Love that salt.

[Scutterborn]

I had quite a few problem arise when I switched to salinity brand salt. I'm now back on reef crystals.


-Ben-

[Paul28]

Me Reef Crystals :)

[Sherita]

And I'm perfectly happy with my Instant Ocean. I've tried several other brands, but I always come back to IO.

[Big_Pun]

I had quite a few problem arise when I switched to salinity brand salt. I'm now back on reef crystals.


-Ben-
what probs? ive done a solid year and no problems first salt thats ever happened with after long term use.

[Scutterborn]

Cyano


-Ben-

[Big_Pun]

Cyano


-Ben-

wow never heard of cyano from a salt....bad water yes but not a salt. but ive read cyano feeds of a acid in the tank so maybe things swung around in your system cause the mix.

[jcnkt_ellis]

I'm moving away from Instant Ocean once my bucket is up, it's not buffered enough to raise my RO/DI water's ph above 8.1~8.2 and I want to supplement as little as possible...

[Scutterborn]

wow never heard of cyano from a salt....bad water yes but not a salt. but ive read cyano feeds of a acid in the tank so maybe things swung around in your system cause the mix.

That's what I'm thinking. The only variable was the salt. That's the only reason I say that. All in all, reef crystal has their boxes at $45. Can't beat that unless you go IO.


-Ben-

[350gt]

wow never heard of cyano from a salt....bad water yes but not a salt. but ive read cyano feeds of a acid in the tank so maybe things swung around in your system cause the mix.


You were having cyano issues.....

It could be.....

[350gt]

I'm using kent salt... Was using reef crystals before, no issues with either...


i will never use Red Sea again....

[Paul28]

That's what I'm thinking. The only variable was the salt. That's the only reason I say that. All in all, reef crystal has their boxes at $45. Can't beat that unless you go IO.


-Ben-

45$ for a box of RC were are you shoping let me know plz :)

[BBQHILLBILLY]

That was before Ben got LEDs. I use Kent too and it seems to be doing good.

[Scutterborn]

Sorry. 48.99. On sale currently on Dr foster and smith. Free shipping over $50. Just order two boxes and they were delivered today.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4685+4856&pcatid=4856


-Ben-

[Scutterborn]

Sherita recommended them. It's my first order.


-Ben-

[Paul28]

Sorry. 48.99. On sale currently on Dr foster and smith. Free shipping over $50. Just order two boxes and they were delivered today.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4685+4856&pcatid=4856


-Ben-


ahhh sweet thx man

[BBQHILLBILLY]

A 200 gallon mix is 39.99 nice and no shipping. for rc

typo instant ocean that is

I can see how will be switching over to the reef crystals for the extra calcium

[Paul28]

yeh i see that why 2 prices ?

[Scutterborn]

Different sizes. All the boxes are on sale $5 of right now. Instant Ocean is 39.99 and Reef Crystals is 48.99


-Ben-

[jrossjr79]

Oh wow, lots of different replys, and I think all of you for sharing your opinions on this matter. Seems like it leans towards crystals being better, and Red Sea salt mix is a big stay away from, glad I know that, cause I was thinking I might pick up a batch to see how it was.

[ramsey]

Is anyone using b-ionic salt mix? I'm looking for a mix with lower alk since I want to keep alk at around 8dkh and almost all the mixes I've seen are much higher than that.

[Paul28]

Different sizes. All the boxes are on sale $5 of right now. Instant Ocean is 39.99 and Reef Crystals is 48.99


-Ben-

doh thats why

[FireWater]

Haven't seen the b-ionic around town.

I use salinity and have been happy with it. Lots of folks don't like the RedSea, but I used it for a long time with no issues. Only problem I had was the brown film, but that was remedied by slowing down how much I added at a time and using the mix as soon as it got clear.

[Big_Pun]

You were having cyano issues.....

It could be.....

dirty sand bed and also it happens every time I restart my bio pellets. I went with new brand so as they kick in it happens, or when I slack and let screen get clogged and the tumble slows.... any more questions

[electricrcplane]

Haven't seen the b-ionic around town.

I use salinity and have been happy with it. Lots of folks don't like the RedSea, but I used it for a long time with no issues. Only problem I had was the brown film, but that was remedied by slowing down how much I added at a tie and using the mix as soon as it got clear.

I used Red Sea for a long time with no issues and no brown film. I switched to salinity because one of the fish stores had the 225 gallon bucket for $70 so I bought three.

[Paul28]

Thx Ben for the info on the salt just got 2 boxes :) that should last me awile when only do 5 to 10 gal a week

[Scutterborn]

Thx Ben for the info on the salt just got 2 boxes :) that should last me awile when only do 5 to 10 gal a week

My pleasure! Ive got my two boxes as well. Can't beat that price.


-Ben-

[350gt]

dirty sand bed and also it happens every time I restart my bio pellets. I went with new brand so as they kick in it happens, or when I slack and let screen get clogged and the tumble slows.... any more questions


You or Emily slacks? Lol

[350gt]

Oh an I didn't mention why I will never use Red Sea again...

but like someone else said "brown film"....


stuff got on everything and even a trip to the car wash couldn't get it off my brute....so I ended up just buying another one and swapping back to reef crystals at that time...

Some ppl swear on the stuff and even gave "special instructions" on mixing salt....

dude I just want a salt that I just throw in the RO water and forget it till its time to check the salinity.... That's all the instructions reef crystals and now Kent's needs and I'm happy with that....

[allan]

I've used Kent's for the last two or three years. Can't complain.

I've tried others for the purported benefits and never saw any change that could be verified. Just wishful thinking.

I'm with Tony, if it can be tossed in, checked later and ready to do the water change... Well, that's all I really look for.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jrossjr79]

Well I almost made a costly mistake. Had made arrangements with a guy on CL, seems he was getting out of the hobby. Well he had salt mix that I was going to buy from him for $50, enough to make 250 Gallons worth of saltwater. However I happened to do a little more research on the brand he has. Well come to find out, its not a marine salt mix, it was actually for freshwater tanks. The product he had was Jungle Aquarium Rock Salt.

Could of swore yesterday when I googled it nothing came up. But googled again now, since tomorrow I was suppose to go pick it up, and it was bugging me that I never heard of it. ANd that is when I see it is for freshwater tanks. But was thinking, no problem, cant be much difference. Well WRONG!!!! Freshwater Tank Salt mixes does not have all the nutrients, that say Instant Ocean for example, would have. They say it could be fine in a fish only tank, but never use it for a reef tank.

Glad I have insomnia, lol.

[350gt]

Man just get a salt from a reputable company and be weary of Craigslist..

IMO a good beginner salt is reef crystals...

Its fairly cheap, the box being the most bang for your buck, mixes easy, and works....

[allan]

Not to mention most of the salt buckets do about 200-250 gallons for $50-$70 anyway. That dude was looking for for a retail return on his salt, regardless of what kind it is/was.

Like Tony said, be very wary of all sales on craigslist. I recently got burned pretty bad, and I thought I knew what I was doing. When it comes to salty stuff, craigslist might be okay with hardware, but I wouldn't trust anything that is actually put into your system.

I don't want to dime anyone here out, but one dude used some previously opened "purple up" and it crashed his system. And he is one of the better reefers here on MAAST. You just can't trust most of the folks on craigslist... and for you older folks, craigslist is a lot like the classifieds on the newspapers that they used to sell in those little stands. Unlike the classifieds, anyone can put up an item for sale in CL without paying anything. I think that's one of the reasons CL has so many unscrupulous folks trolling the ads.

[jrossjr79]

Man just get a salt from a reputable company and be weary of Craigslist..

IMO a good beginner salt is reef crystals...

Its fairly cheap, the box being the most bang for your buck, mixes easy, and works....

Oh I will, actually I am going to be making an order with with drsfostersmith. Just waiting on my payment to get cleared so I can make the order.




Not to mention most of the salt buckets do about 200-250 gallons for $50-$70 anyway. That dude was looking for for a retail return on his salt, regardless of what kind it is/was.

Like Tony said, be very wary of all sales on craigslist. I recently got burned pretty bad, and I thought I knew what I was doing. When it comes to salty stuff, craigslist might be okay with hardware, but I wouldn't trust anything that is actually put into your system.

I don't want to dime anyone here out, but one dude used some previously opened "purple up" and it crashed his system. And he is one of the better reefers here on MAAST. You just can't trust most of the folks on craigslist... and for you older folks, craigslist is a lot like the classifieds on the newspapers that they used to sell in those little stands. Unlike the classifieds, anyone can put up an item for sale in CL without paying anything. I think that's one of the reasons CL has so many unscrupulous folks trolling the ads.

Reason I was going through with this deal is because it was suppose to be an unopened bucket, and the prices I was seeing for 175 G buckets were about $60. But as stated, something about it kept bugging me, since it was a mix salt I never heard of before. I knew about Instant Ocean for a long while now, just like I knew about red sea. Just recently heard of Reef Crystals because of my tank purchase came with an unopened bag of it, and because of this thread I just heard of Salinity. But never heard anything about Jungle Aquarium Rock Salt mix, it was bugging me and seemed off, just could not put a finger on it, and I am happy as hell that I was paranoid about it.

Mmmmmmmm, paranoia seems to pay off at times, lol.

I do resells from home, mostly using CL, so I usually spot a good deal, or make a good deal, on both the selling and the buying aspects.

[allan]

Cool. Yeah, I think I'd have been a bit leary of salt for a reef called Jungle Aquarium Rock Salt. Kudos to a disaster avoided.

[Mike]

We are a little late on this, but we mix IO & RC, equal parts. Best of both worlds... This idea came from another MAASTARD, so can't take the credit. Less nutrients that RC straight, so less nuisance algae on the glass and IO is good cheap, quality salt.

[jrossjr79]

maybe a dumb question, but what is IO?

[Scutterborn]

maybe a dumb question, but what is IO?

Instant ocean salt. It's made by the same folks that make reef crystals. It just doesn't contain the same levels of trace elements designed for a reef tank.


-Ben-

[jrossjr79]

lol, I should of guessed...............

[jrossjr79]

My money finally came in from some sales. Was not much, but was enough for me to buy my reef crystals.

[Scutterborn]

:)


-Ben-