Best Salt??

[Jason McK]

I guess the better question is what makes salt the BEST.

[Slipstream]

Shouldnt this be a poll since its in the poll section??

[littlesilvermax]

IME if you add anything to IO unless it is magnesium first, you will get precipitation on the bottom of of your mixing container.

Then you wil not have the levels you want in your water, you are just adding to junk at the bottom.

I found I could add calcium all day long and it would never get above 350-375.

Now, add 180 ppm of magnesium first, then you can add calcium and have no problems at all.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by skylord

For me that was a big part for me switching to TMP. With IO (and others)I was having to dose calc and mg before I used it. I was also using supplements between changes. When I switched to TMP some thought I was off, ("why use expensive, salt is salt right?)but I didn't have to dose my tank as long as I did my changes somewhat routinely. I was also getting tired of the sludge in the bottom of my mixing barrel and the film floating on top. I felt like I needed to filter the water before adding it to my tank.

Scott

Yes, I have often wondered...just what is all the sludge on the bottom of the mixing bucket? Likely, it's actually beneficial and should be in the water, not stuck to the bottom...hmmm?

It's odd you have to dose Mg with IO. My batches always test out (with sg 1.026) at:

pH 8.0
Alk 12
Cal 380
Mg 1350

Personally, I like Reef Crystals better than any other salt (although everyone else likes Tropic Marin Pro Reef better), but I can't get a good price on RC around here...

[kwirky]

i'm switching from oceanpure pro to reefer's best when it arrives as well. I have such a small tank that the cost is minimal. It'll save me $$ anyways since I won't have to dose K+

[zulu_principle]

Unfortuantley I just dont see significant difference in results to justify the increase in price for these premium salts like TMP.

I kinda like my sps display tank and I just use IO or Kent......totally depends on which one I have and which one is cheaper.

For those that are in smaller volumes or just wanting the assurance that the salt mixes with no residue, or better properties I can see the merit but does it show in your displays ?

What do the guys like Marc and Jamie use ?

All the best.



Wendell

[tang daddy]

Yes I would like to know aswell as I use IO bcause that's all I can afford.

[mseepman]

I didn't have any luck with my numbers using IO and I always had a lot of sludge at the bottom without dosing. I switched to Bio-sea and really like it. My tank really perked up after I changed too. Unfortunately, I have to get it out of Edmonton which is a long way to go for Salt.

[mark]

I use IO, never had sludge, never had film unless I leave it sitting for a couple of weeks with a heater and pump on then only slight.

I do supplement with Mg and Ca as find low out of the pail (one pail Ca 325, Mg 1100, Alk 11.2, another pail Ca 275, Mg 900, Alk 10.9) but don't find a a big deal, nor expensive as buy supplement bulk fr littlesilvermax.

[littlesilvermax]

Originally Posted by mark

I use IO, never had sludge, never had film unless I leave it sitting for a couple of weeks with a heater and pump on then only slight.

I do supplement with Mg and Ca as find low out of the pail (one pail Ca 325, Mg 1100, Alk 11.2, another pail Ca 275, Mg 900, Alk 10.9) but don't find a a big deal, nor expensive as buy supplement bulk fr littlesilvermax.

Works out to a few dollars a pail.