Salt mix dilemma: IO or Kent?

mrhasan · #1 10-12-2012, 08:54 PM

Well sorry to open up another thread regarding the saltmix but I got confused whether to buy IO or kent for my reef tank. They are just $10 difference so I am thinking whether getting kent would worth the extra $10 or should I stick to IO?

subman · #2 10-12-2012, 09:08 PM

I've been using IO for years works fine for me

mrhasan · #3 10-12-2012, 09:10 PM

Yah I am using IO right now. I see people say that calcium is below 400ppm with IO but mine always read 440ppm with new mix. And since I am getting towards LPS in my tank and not willing to dose, I was thinking whether kent would be a better option since it has higher calcium, magnesium. Or else I will just stick to IO

Flash · #4 10-12-2012, 09:10 PM

i've always used IO. no issues..... but again... i smell a salt debate coming!

mrhasan · #5 10-12-2012, 09:12 PM

Looking forward to it

Last one I started was between IO and RC ($20 difference). Now I have started it between IO and Kent ($10 difference).

jorjef · #6 10-12-2012, 09:21 PM

They are both the same salt different packages. It is distributed by global giant SSDP Salt Inc. They pretty much have the market cornered on marine salt. don't be fooled.

mrhasan · #7 10-12-2012, 09:23 PM

Aha I see.

Someone reported this with kent salt:

Specific Gravity: 1.024 - 1.026
pH: 8.2 to 8.3
Calcium: 550 to 575 ppm
Magnesium: 1,350 to 1,450 ppm

I though people try to keep calcium level around 450ppm but this salt give 550ppm+. Is that too much? This figure is actually making me rethink about kent and get IO.