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View Full Version : Reef salt input please?


FLSharkvictim
02/09/2017, 06:32 AM
Would like some input on what salt would be the best for my system. Mainly I have a Fish and Invert tank only but I do have 3 frogspawn, 1 Octospawn, 2 large coco feather dusters, and a huge ToadStool leather coral! I plan on adding some more LPS corals but this is what i have so far~~~ So, mainly my display is 12 fish, a ton of inverts and a few pcs of corals. I was thinking about going with the AQUAFOREST reef salt - since I HATE INSTANT OCEAN! What are your thoughts?

Here is where i KEEP my parameters at all times:
Alk: 8.0 dHK
CAL: 420
MAG:1300
Salinity: 1.024
PH: 8.1

TANK INFO:
120 display
Ecotech M1 pump
Apex Classic with a Salinity probe
Apex ALD Module w/ 2 Leak Detector probes
Apex PM2 Module
BreakOut box
Skimz 163 DC Montzer Series skimmer
Custom sump / Refuge
2 TUNZE Turbella 6055 Pumps
2 AI Hydra TwentySix HD LED Fixtures
Celestial C35W Maxspect Refuge Spotlight
Aqua UV Ultraviolet Sterilizer 25w
BRS Dual Media reactor
Eshoops IV Master & Slave Doser
Tunze 3155 Auto Top Off

mcgyvr
02/09/2017, 07:48 AM
For you.. I'd just recommend Instant Ocean :p
Seriously.. Not sure why you are so against it.. The salt is just fine

Reeferman1019
02/09/2017, 08:49 AM
IO is a good salt, why do you hate it?


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GimpyFin
02/09/2017, 08:53 AM
Never had any issues with IO salt either, but the main reason I don't use IO or reef crystals is I don't like super high alkalinity. Kent marine is a good salt with lower alk (8.5) and has slightly buffered mag and cal. Regular Red Sea (Blue bucket) would be another one with lower alk and cal/mag close to what you are wanting.

reefgeezer
02/09/2017, 10:05 AM
I use regular Red Sea salt for the lower alk... but that is because I plan to carbon dose. I was using Kent. It is fine salt also. It mixes quickly and leaves no residue. It does have some organic additives I'm not a fan of. IO is great salt for the money. IMO, the higher alk isn't an issue unless you are carbon dosing. I'd vote for the IO salt for your purposes.

ptreef
02/09/2017, 10:47 AM
Love IO...
SPS dominate tank and it works great here for last 10+ yrs!

I don't care for the reef crystals on the way it mixes up.
But good ol IO is cheap usually on sale and works great!

Potatohead
02/09/2017, 11:23 AM
Lots of salts mix up with parameters around there, a few off the top of my head are Seachem Reef, Aquaforest Reef, Red Sea Blue, HW Marinemix

tmz
02/09/2017, 11:58 AM
I use Coral Life and have for about 10 years:reasonably priced with reasonable alk around 9dkh at 35ppt salinity.

Reeferman1019
02/09/2017, 05:44 PM
try 50/50 of IO and RC


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CButkos
02/09/2017, 06:16 PM
I've been using hw marinemix reefer for a while, ALK mixes to about 9 at 1.026, so maybe slightly lower at .024, and it mixes up clear in ten minutes, and only a few dollars more per bucket than cheap salts

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ericarenee
02/09/2017, 06:35 PM
Kent Marine is what i use .. It does have Higher Calcium and Magnesium .Last time i bought salt Reef Crystals was on sale and i get it for 32.00 a box so i got 3 boxes.. I just mixed the last bag and i have 3 boxes of Kent Marine Salt coming I will Never change brands again.
Right after i switched i had to start using Kalk in my top off again and the coraline started flaking off the glass , Nothing else had changed so i know it was the salt mix, Kent Salt mix keeping things in check without dosing Kalk..
My tank is all Softies...

Also kent mixes Quicker as its very fine and does not cause the container to turn brown like IA ...

My two Pennies

Erica

zsuman101
02/09/2017, 09:41 PM
hw-marinemix