These aren't "problems" really, most salts (like 95%) need to be supplemented in some form. It depends how anal you are as well. For beginner reefers there is really no reason to use anything other than IO. For more advanced reefers who are looking to perfect every little thing in hopes of accomplishing "perfection", then one of the "designer" salts might be a wiser choice just because you would spend quite some time supplementing a salt like IO.

Personally, I don't think Reefer's Best salt is the best choice for those who are not employing the full ZEOvit system as this salt is specifically designed for this purpose with a lower alkalinity.

D-D H2Ocean seems to be the most complete and easily available salt around.

Personally, I use IO although I'm starting to dose potassium, and starting to strive more for perfection, so I am considering trying out D-D, which is quite a leap for me, as I have tried many different salts since the early 90s, and always go back to IO. IO is cheaper even after dosing it, and I have yet to notice a difference in my livestock from using different salts. If they don't care, why should I?

but it wasn't cheep when it became popular, it was one of the more expensive ones 8 or 9 years ago, I started using it as it was tried and true.

personally I don't want to use anything that has a Ca level over 400. it is easy to bump it up if need be but hard to remove. I wouldn't touch anything that has a Ca level of 490.. thats for sure.. way way to high..
I like IO as it just really needs a Mg bump up, once you correct the Mg the Ca settles out at around 380 to 400 which is perfect..

Steve

This, ultimately, is what one needs to ask when changing anything.

I have a very good experience with oceanic and red-sea pro! Other excellent brand is tropic marine buy where I come from it is very expensive.

The last salt I have used was the new Deltec H2O very good balanced salt!