Salt preferrence

[scotia-reefer]

What salt mix do you use and why do you prefer that particular brand?

[scotia-reefer]

I use Reef Crystals for the added calcium and low cost.

[Toyota Guy]

I use the Reef Crystals from I/O...... there is another reef crystals I think....

I like the added calcium and stuff

[skaustin]

I use the Reef Crystals from I/O......

Ditto..

[Doctor_Reef]

I use Tropic Marin Pro - For it's great buffering qualities....

[icereefer]

I use Reefcrystal myself, for the extra buffers I get out of this salt mix. I've used it for years and years now and it's just something I went with and stuck with because with my randeem water changes I really don't have to do much for extra buffering with using this mix.

[gman0526]

I've been using Seachem Reef , so far so good. Used Oceanic for a long time b4 and prior to that Reef Crystals

[Condiman]

I have used IO and Reef Crystal in the past but I have found that Red Sea brand seems to work quite well for me.

[chineseknife]

I'm surprised to see such an array of different salt mixes.
I use plain ole IO.
I used to use Oceanic. In the beginning it had great readings. After the fourth or fifth bucket I started getting wacky readings. Ca and Alk were all over the place. I stopped using it.

[Krazy K]

Instant Ocean because its easy to obtain locally and you cant beat it for the price...

[Ryguy]

I've been using coral life salt. Been working fantastic for me so far.

[MRjose]

I like Instant Ocean because it's the only one I've ever tried!

[Krazy K]

Not listed in the poll here but what are peoples opinions on the Oceanic brand salt ??

[Ryguy]

Not listed in the poll here but what are peoples opinions on the Oceanic brand salt ??

I didn't care for Oceanic, the buffering isn't the best, and I always had bad algae problems using it. I used it for a few years and battled algae almost constantly. I can't blame the salt because I made some changes to the tank at the same time I switched brands, but with the coral life salt, my corals are brighter and healthier.

[Zack]

I also had issues with oceanic and algae. From the start of using it I could tell more algae growth then with instant ocean.

[icereefer]

myself I've used over the years many salt brands, I would have to say Oceanic was one salt I really didn't care for. but I know many that have used it with great success, myself I fell every brand out there has it's good and bad point to them, but they all do what there made to do simulate sea water the only thing one needs to do is find what the salt brand lacks because every tank has different buffer intake, once you find what it lacks and you can learn to buffer or add what it lacks they all work just as well.
but I will say all I've had to do is basicly my weekly water changes and a weak salution of lime water top off, and a Light cal reactor drip in my SPS/LPS tank using IORC salt brand to keep my parameters right were I want them.
and with having algae problems with using a salt brand most brands clam to have No phosphates in there salt mix, but I've even gotten phosphate reading using fresh IO water mix. this is why most stress to use a good RO/DI water, I use to get phosphate reading using my IO and my lower grade RO/DI systems I used," I won't name any names on what I call a lower RO/DI unit". but I will say once I bought a pro model RO/DI unit and a booster pump to get a better quality of water, I know the water I'm using is much better then what I use to use. and it shows in the preformance in my tank.

[Krazy K]

I also had issues with oceanic and algae. From the start of using it I could tell more algae growth then with instant ocean.

Very interesting that some of you were having algae issues with the Oceanic salt...

Makes me curious as to why.

[MikeS]

Very interesting that some of you were having algae issues with the Oceanic salt...

Makes me curious as to why.

Phosphates and nitrates in the mix

[Zack]

Phosphates and nitrates in the mix

Yep it was the nitrates as my test were quite high on that.

[Krazy K]

Yep it was the nitrates as my test were quite high on that.

I love how these guys advertise that it doesnt have these in the mix but in all reality it does..

Glad I use IO and RC...

I was seriously considering the oceanic, glad you all convinced me to stick with what I currently use :)

[specsgirl]

I too had used Oceanic and I agree with the others. I had a ha outbreak shortly after switching to it. That was the only thing that was different on the tank. I switched back to RC and within a few water changes the ha started disappearing and my tank came back to normal.

[Whiskey]

I use IO,.. I've tried others, Oceaniac, Coralife, Tropic Marine, etc and always come back to IO. It's consistent, good quality, inexpensive, and my critters love it.

Whiskey

[Gottcha]

ill be going from IO to reef crystals

[Elsherst]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't reef crystals made by instant ocean? Just had more elements and things in it for a reef type tank?

[specsgirl]

you're correct elmherst. IO and RC are made by the same company. For those that have reef tanks RC seems to be a little better because you don't have to add as much to get your params to where you'd like them.