Top Fin salt, is it good for corals? - Page 2

luisgo · 03/31/2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james-lee

You are welcome my friend. Question though since you live in PR why not just go get saltwater from the beaches?

Jeje.. that is a good one. I used to go to a spot where the water was very clean, with a bilge pump connected to the car battery and a micron filter and in 15 minutes I was making a water change. That was in the 90's. Now I am 56 years old and I don't have the friends and energy to do that.

BTW sea water is the best thing for water changes!!

james-lee · 03/31/2012, 12:38 PM

HAHA well if I lived in PR you would have one friend that would come out with you lol!

jlaudiofreak · 05/05/2012, 01:00 PM

well with having no other choice i had to try this sice i didnt have time to order any before I had to leave to go out of town. here are the results of the test I did on it.

Test where done using Elos test kits
Temp 78.4
Salinty 1.026
pH 8.02
Phos 0
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
KH 13
Calcium 550
Mag 1150

lastduke · 05/05/2012, 11:21 PM

it looks like "new" RedSea coral pro salt.

wolfdogg · 06/13/2012, 04:12 PM

im using this salt because i let my wife buy some salt when we moved (ok, ill confess i gave her the ok under pressure, lol) and now i see alot of brown algae, almost hinging on rust colored . I suspect it was just from all the disturbances i caused.

I always leave the sediment in tact when i move a tank, in fact thats the only thing thats left intact, the rest goes into large ice chests for transpo. But this time i removed two 20 gallon sumps indefinetely, one of which had a 4" DSB, and relocated that sand to the 60 gallon show tank. I then took my 2nd tank, a 29 gallon nano, and left its DSB intact, and used it as the new sump. Less maintenance this way until i get more resources to run two tanks. The 29 gal got all the left over rocks that wouldnt fit into the 60 gal. So in the end the 60 gal accumulated another 2 inches of live aragonite, and i think this is the reason for the serious brown growth. its almost as if the tank is recycling, but this is impossible since all the rest of the rocks and sediment in the sump, and the rocks in the top 60 gal are all fully in tact with plenty of soft corals, mainly anenomes actually.

Also the tank wasnt used to this much light, i had to replace two PC bulbs when i did the move. this thing looks great now until the brown started in full. I guess ill have to wait for the brown algae to cycle out before i know if it was the salt. Oh yes, i also did a 50% water change because the tank had been neglected for almost a year as far as water changes prior.

Now i can resume proper care in full and i hope that salt wasnt a bad choice. Logically the top fin salt should be just fine!!

balto777 · 06/13/2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastduke

it looks like "new" RedSea coral pro salt.

I am an avid Red Sea Coral Pro Salt user, so take this with a little humor . . .

Maybe they finally realized that there is something wrong with the new salt formula, so they sold their supplies of it to PetSmart really cheap . . . LOL!!!!

With that, I will continue to use RSCP salt, but I have a gluttony for pain . . .

Alex T. · 06/13/2012, 06:07 PM

+1 on using what's available from your beaches. Even though you say you can't do it anymore, I'm sure there are a few young, strapping lads that would be willing to help you out if you threw them a few bucks. It could still be cheaper than mixing your own if you tip them.

Besides, it's the closest you're going to get to the real thing...

r-balljunkie · 06/13/2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex T.

+1 on using what's available from your beaches. Even though you say you can't do it anymore, I'm sure there are a few young, strapping lads that would be willing to help you out if you threw them a few bucks. It could still be cheaper than mixing your own if you tip them.

Besides, it's the closest you're going to get to the real thing...

NSW is not the holy grail folks make it out to be. it can be very inconsistent depending on a lot of factors. truth told, the ASW mixes out nowadays are pretty darn good.

ill use it in a pinch, but still prefer to mix my own.

c

Dave Thebrewguy · 09/05/2012, 11:14 AM

I'll check my numbers when I get home, but I tried some of this stuff last spring and the thing that stands out in my mind is that Mg was pretty high. I don't recall CA and all being high. Maybe they don't give any info because it varies from one batch to the next, quite possibly off-spec batches from one of the big names.

Buzz1329 · 09/05/2012, 07:04 PM

I just bought a small bag of TF, and the magnesium tested out well-below my last batch of IO:

Top Fin (9/4/12) = A = 8.4; C = 400; M =1400

IO (8/30/12): A = 10.5; C = 375; M = 1600+

Based on all the threads I've seen recently reporting anomalous results with a variety of salt mixes, it seems like we're getting to the point where every bag/tub of salt needs to be tested before use.

I'm planning on picking up a bucket of TF and "blending" it 50/50 with the IO salt I have on hand.

Reefbuff52 · 09/06/2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

IO is good salt. I've never heard of Top Fin, but then I don't go in Pet Smart. And if it were the only LFS in my town, I'd buy everything online!

Let me tell everyone....DO NOT USE this salt. I made the mistake of using this salt last weekend. The alkalinity was off the charts, but did nt know until already in my tank. Lost $12,000 in corals....turns out after some research this brand is owned by Petsmart and apparently they have no idea on what the salt should be comprised of.

usmc121581 · 09/06/2012, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefbuff52

Let me tell everyone....DO NOT USE this salt. I made the mistake of using this salt last weekend. The alkalinity was off the charts, but did nt know until already in my tank. Lost $12,000 in corals....turns out after some research this brand is owned by Petsmart and apparently they have no idea on what the salt should be comprised of.

+1 I used it for the longest because there are no other saltwater pet stores around me now, biggest mistake ever. corals always looked poor. I went back to my IO and they perked right up and look nice now

luisgo · 09/06/2012, 12:19 PM

Reefbuff52 you say alkalinity was off the charts! How off to affect tank alkalinity in a water change?

Reefbuff52 · 09/07/2012, 07:43 PM

I made the mistake of buying and using this salt in my 120 reef. Stupid move, in 20 years of being in the hobby I have never had any issues. Until last weekend when I replaced my saltwater with the top fin brand and didn't realize the level of alkalinity was so high off the chart my saliferts test kit couldn't even measure it. Needless to say I had to perform another emergency water change. The next day my corals started dying, now one week later I am completely starting over. I lost everything approx $12k in corals and high end chalice that I've collected for the last 10 years. Whatever you do, do not get involved in using this salt!

brickfollett · 09/27/2012, 10:43 AM

calcium 520 and dkh 10??? I must see more tests, those are incredible numbers but i'm skeptical of the consistency, i've been researching salt for hours and never expected something like this from top fin

jelley fish · 09/27/2012, 09:25 PM

i have used this salt before it seams ok

Voyager1000 · 09/28/2012, 11:16 AM

same here, using it since I first found it in the store, about a year now.
LPS, softies, live rock, fish, seem fine, I dont have any SPS so I cant speak to that.
I started a regimen where I change about 8% of my 120 weekly using this salt, vs. less frequent water changes using IO.
I also dose 2 part and vinegar. tank up and running for over 5 years, IO for 4 of the 5.
All seems well.

TeflonTomDosh · 12/11/2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefbuff52

I made the mistake of buying and using this salt in my 120 reef. Stupid move, in 20 years of being in the hobby I have never had any issues. Until last weekend when I replaced my saltwater with the top fin brand and didn't realize the level of alkalinity was so high off the chart my saliferts test kit couldn't even measure it. Needless to say I had to perform another emergency water change. The next day my corals started dying, now one week later I am completely starting over. I lost everything approx $12k in corals and high end chalice that I've collected for the last 10 years. Whatever you do, do not get involved in using this salt!

I find it hard to believe someone who has been in this hobby as long as you say ,with that much vested into your tank/livestock would just up and change salt mixes on a whim. With that being said, I call shananigans!

guc32 · 12/18/2012, 07:11 PM

Bought a bucket of Top Fin today for tank transfer and QT setup. Tested from first mix in 10 gallon tank.

Tested with Salifert Kit.

Temp: 78
Salinity: 1.026
Ph: 8.0
Alk: 10.3
Cal: 460
Mag: 1140

rjnxr7 · 02/09/2013, 06:54 PM

i used it one month ago for a water change and it just about wiped out my whole tank a few things are slowly coming back my kole tang also died and i had him for a few months and he was doing fine till then do not buy this salt!!!!!!!!!!

03/31/2012, 12:38 PM	#27
james-lee Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 312	HAHA well if I lived in PR you would have one friend that would come out with you lol! __________________ Current inhabitants: ALOT! Current Tank Info: 225 gallon reef, ATI BM300, 75 gallon sump, 4x 120w LEDs, 48" CREE LED Strip, 2x Jebao WP40s

06/13/2012, 06:07 PM	#32
Alex T. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,668	+1 on using what's available from your beaches. Even though you say you can't do it anymore, I'm sure there are a few young, strapping lads that would be willing to help you out if you threw them a few bucks. It could still be cheaper than mixing your own if you tip them. Besides, it's the closest you're going to get to the real thing... __________________ 195 Eurobraced tank, 50 gallon sump, BK Supermarin 200 skimmer, 4 Vortech MP40s, 93 pounds of rock, 80 pounds of sand, Two 400 Watt Radiums in Lumenmax Elite Reflectors, Galaxy ballasts, two 60" Super Actinic VHO's, Iwaki 30 RLXT return Pump, MRC Dual Stage Calcium Reactor Current Tank Info: Working on filling it up!!!

09/05/2012, 07:04 PM	#35
Buzz1329 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 788	I just bought a small bag of TF, and the magnesium tested out well-below my last batch of IO: Top Fin (9/4/12) = A = 8.4; C = 400; M =1400 IO (8/30/12): A = 10.5; C = 375; M = 1600+ Based on all the threads I've seen recently reporting anomalous results with a variety of salt mixes, it seems like we're getting to the point where every bag/tub of salt needs to be tested before use. I'm planning on picking up a bucket of TF and "blending" it 50/50 with the IO salt I have on hand. __________________ ____________________________ Mike 75 gallon mixed reef

09/07/2012, 07:43 PM	#39
Reefbuff52 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 2	Top fin salt bad news I made the mistake of buying and using this salt in my 120 reef. Stupid move, in 20 years of being in the hobby I have never had any issues. Until last weekend when I replaced my saltwater with the top fin brand and didn't realize the level of alkalinity was so high off the chart my saliferts test kit couldn't even measure it. Needless to say I had to perform another emergency water change. The next day my corals started dying, now one week later I am completely starting over. I lost everything approx $12k in corals and high end chalice that I've collected for the last 10 years. Whatever you do, do not get involved in using this salt!

09/27/2012, 10:43 AM	#40
brickfollett Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 6	Top fin? calcium 520 and dkh 10??? I must see more tests, those are incredible numbers but i'm skeptical of the consistency, i've been researching salt for hours and never expected something like this from top fin

05/05/2012, 01:00 PM	#28
jlaudiofreak Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Savannah, Ga Posts: 459	well with having no other choice i had to try this sice i didnt have time to order any before I had to leave to go out of town. here are the results of the test I did on it. Test where done using Elos test kits Temp 78.4 Salinty 1.026 pH 8.02 Phos 0 Nitrate 0 Nitrite 0 Ammonia 0 KH 13 Calcium 550 Mag 1150

05/05/2012, 11:21 PM	#29
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,267	it looks like "new" RedSea coral pro salt.

06/13/2012, 04:12 PM	#30
wolfdogg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 13	im using this salt because i let my wife buy some salt when we moved (ok, ill confess i gave her the ok under pressure, lol) and now i see alot of brown algae, almost hinging on rust colored . I suspect it was just from all the disturbances i caused. I always leave the sediment in tact when i move a tank, in fact thats the only thing thats left intact, the rest goes into large ice chests for transpo. But this time i removed two 20 gallon sumps indefinetely, one of which had a 4" DSB, and relocated that sand to the 60 gallon show tank. I then took my 2nd tank, a 29 gallon nano, and left its DSB intact, and used it as the new sump. Less maintenance this way until i get more resources to run two tanks. The 29 gal got all the left over rocks that wouldnt fit into the 60 gal. So in the end the 60 gal accumulated another 2 inches of live aragonite, and i think this is the reason for the serious brown growth. its almost as if the tank is recycling, but this is impossible since all the rest of the rocks and sediment in the sump, and the rocks in the top 60 gal are all fully in tact with plenty of soft corals, mainly anenomes actually. Also the tank wasnt used to this much light, i had to replace two PC bulbs when i did the move. this thing looks great now until the brown started in full. I guess ill have to wait for the brown algae to cycle out before i know if it was the salt. Oh yes, i also did a 50% water change because the tank had been neglected for almost a year as far as water changes prior. Now i can resume proper care in full and i hope that salt wasnt a bad choice. Logically the top fin salt should be just fine!!

09/05/2012, 11:14 AM	#34
Dave Thebrewguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 487	I'll check my numbers when I get home, but I tried some of this stuff last spring and the thing that stands out in my mind is that Mg was pretty high. I don't recall CA and all being high. Maybe they don't give any info because it varies from one batch to the next, quite possibly off-spec batches from one of the big names.

09/06/2012, 12:19 PM	#38
luisgo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 617	Reefbuff52 you say alkalinity was off the charts! How off to affect tank alkalinity in a water change?

09/27/2012, 09:25 PM	#41
jelley fish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: cottonwood , az Posts: 36	salt i have used this salt before it seams ok

09/28/2012, 11:16 AM	#42
Voyager1000 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: wake forest, NC Posts: 65	same here, using it since I first found it in the store, about a year now. LPS, softies, live rock, fish, seem fine, I dont have any SPS so I cant speak to that. I started a regimen where I change about 8% of my 120 weekly using this salt, vs. less frequent water changes using IO. I also dose 2 part and vinegar. tank up and running for over 5 years, IO for 4 of the 5. All seems well.

12/18/2012, 07:11 PM	#44
guc32 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 90	Bought a bucket of Top Fin today for tank transfer and QT setup. Tested from first mix in 10 gallon tank. Tested with Salifert Kit. Temp: 78 Salinity: 1.026 Ph: 8.0 Alk: 10.3 Cal: 460 Mag: 1140

02/09/2013, 06:54 PM	#45
rjnxr7 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1	i used it one month ago for a water change and it just about wiped out my whole tank a few things are slowly coming back my kole tang also died and i had him for a few months and he was doing fine till then do not buy this salt!!!!!!!!!!