Salt

[slandis3]

I don’t want to start the great salt debate of 2009 on which is the best. I’m just curious what everyone is using. If you use other just post what you’re using.

[lightningfront]

RSCP since the start.

[micki]

Have used IO since the beginning of time...

[chromiumlux]

Quite an interesting 2-part article on Advanced Aquarists Online Magazine. Inland Reef Aquaria Salt Study Part 1 and Part 2. If anyone is inerested in levels of toxic heavy metals that some of the salt mixes contain, it's a must read. Unfortunately, RSCP was not part of the study, However; it's quite enlightening and almost shocking as to the levels some of the popular salt mixes contain. According to the study, and that's just what it is, a study. (Not set in stone and very objective). It appears that the salt mixes that scored the best were Tropic Marin, Instant Ocean, and Kent.
Iv'e been using RSCP since the start of my tank and at this point have not encountered any problems other than having to dose it after mixing to ensure a stable PH, Mg, Ca, Alk level. I tried a bucket of IO Reef Crystals and had to dose even more to bring levels up. So, I am thinking of trying a brand of salt thats been around for a while. Kent Sea Salt. I'm just curious what it will mix up to before testing it. Anyone got any feedback on this? Experience?

[buckeyereefer]

  last time i had a tank running it was IO. this time around it has been RSCP and
i am happy but am thinking of trying something different. just not sure at this time
what it will be.
 

[harleyrider]

I.O.

[Aquatic Specialists]

We use Kent. Very happy with it, mixes consistantly, makes more water than it says it does too. Can make about 35 gal. in 10 minutes, totaly dissolved! Can do 400 gallons at a time in about 30-45 minutes. All with great results.

[bigfalcon36]

i use half IO and half oceanic

[micki]

i use half IO and half oceanic

You would!  

 

[UD Flyer]

i use half IO and half oceanic

Why half and half?

[Secondgen]

I am currently using RSCP, but am thinking about going back to Reef Crystals because the RCSP doesn't mix clean. The mixed water in the container always has floating particles. Reef Crystals always mixed clean, and completely.

[bigfalcon36]

Why half and half?

At 1.026 SG, I find that Instant Ocean is low in Calcium and Mag after I mix it (the calcium in it is always around 350-370 and the mag is around 1000-1050) and I had to supplement my calcium and mag.  Instant Ocean provides a high Alk though (usually around 12) .

With the addition of the Oceanic, at the same SG of 1.026 you get high Calcium and Mag...and a low Alk(Calcium 550-580, Mag around 1650, and Alk around 8.5)

With the two mixed you get the perfect mix of what you need to have a successful reef and with weekly or bi-weekly water changes, there is no need to supplement (even though I do run a calcium reactor). 

[Aquatic Specialists]

Here is a very comprehensive analysis of most of the salt mixes currently in use,
well worth checking out.

http://reefsaltanalysis.googlepages.com/AWT_Salt_Analysis_0208.pdf

May get a few surprises !!!  Pay close attention to the "copper" contents.

[jd]

Great article Duane and Justin. I don't like how wildly some of the contents vary with IO from batch to batch... Calcium varies by 250mg/l!

[slandis3]

Ok i switched to instant ocean due to availability. We started losing are sps soon after the switch. I tried a bag of kent and started to see color in some of our sps with in a week. I got a deal on a bucket of seachem at the swap and i figured i would try that and see how i like it. My question is, what does everyone add to the seachem to raise the mag in it?

[verper]

The Mag Chloride/Mag Sulfate part of the Two Part recipe:


Dissolve Epsom salts (3 cups) and magnesium chloride hexahydrate (5 cups) in enough purified freshwater to make 1 gallon total volume.  I then use one of the online calcuators to determine how much to add.

[pontiac2002gtp]

I use epsoms salt and mag chloride from bulk reef.  If you need some mag chloride I have some extra I ordered a 5 gallon bucket last time or alot of people use freeze guard or other stuff available locally but I worry too much about what else might be in that stuff so I don't use it the bulk reef stuff is pharmaceutical grade which has a higher purity.

[slandis3]

Thanks for the info. I am going to test mine and see how low it is ( if it is low ) and go from there.

[TechGuy]

Ok i switched to instant ocean due to availability. We started losing are sps soon after the switch. I tried a bag of kent and started to see color in some of our sps with in a week. I got a deal on a bucket of seachem at the swap and i figured i would try that and see how i like it. My question is, what does everyone add to the seachem to raise the mag in it?

I switched from Instant Ocean to Kent a month ago.

Mixes easier, I do a weekly 20G water change in my 120, no supplements for Calcium, PH and ALK perfect right out of the bucket.

I can't rave enough about how much better Kent is than IO. IO may be cheaper, but having to supplement adds to the cost. And Kent isn't that much more. Not only that, but a bucket of Kent lasts me longer than a bucket of IO.

[harleyrider]

Not only that, but a bucket of Kent lasts me longer than a bucket of IO. 
 
 
Is Kent a bigger size bucket, i know IO is a 160 gallons

[TechGuy]

I think the Kent is a 200G bucket. Thats even better. A Bucket of IO is $40, Kent is $60. Worth the extra cost.

[harleyrider]

i pay 44 for 200 gallon box

[jd]

i pay 44 for 200 gallon box

Where? If you don't mind.

[harleyrider]

Keep a check on our sponcors, Marine Solution, has it everyday for that price!

[chromiumlux]

I switched from RSCP to Kent a few months back and have been doing regular water changes. My Ph, Alk, are starting to stabilize with minimal dosing. I had to dose everyday--heavily with RSCP-- to keep my params consistent. I made a trip to Columbus a few weeks back and stopped in a local reef shop to look around. $49.99 for a 200g bucket. Of course, paying 60 or 70 a bucket around Dayton is cost effective with the price of gas.