Salt Question

[scar_11]

but bang for your buck the cheaper salts work

[kien]

Originally Posted by scar_11

but bang for your buck the cheaper salts work

Not necessarily for everyone though. Some people would consider it more convenient to buy the expensive salt with the high levels of elements already built in, so for that it is worth it to them and they get bang out of their buck? :-)

Whatever you end up using, if you plan to grow corals that require the trace elements be sure to measure each batch of salt. I would not immediately trust a bucket of salt claims of elemental content regardless of price.

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by kien

I would not immediately trust a bucket of salt claims of elemental content regardless of price.

ah.....coming from someone that uses IO.....Ive used Reef Crystals, seachem, KZRB and now H2Ocean......H2Ocean tests out near perfect.....(dkh has been a touch low for me, from their claims) and H2Ocean is a naturally evaporated salt, not a synthetic salt.....another plus IMO...

bottom line is, all salts have worked for some people.....you just need to pick one, and stick with it(if you can)

[kien]

Originally Posted by fishytime

ah.....coming from someone that uses IO.....Ive used Reef Crystals, seachem, KZRB and now H2Ocean......H2Ocean

Fair enough:-). But, if you are going to write on your bucket of salt that it has X dkH and Y ppm of calcium that's how much it should have, no exceptions. However lots of people report exceptions.. So how can you trust them ? The numbers may not be off for every bucket you buy but It sounds like there are buckets that come out of the factory out of spec. Which is why I would (and do) check the bucket just to confirm where the numbers are at.

[whatcaneyedo]

I go through a bucket a month and only occasionally check the chemisty on new saltwater before I use it. However I have used all of those brands at one point except the regular Tropic Marin. I've also used Seachem Reef, Kent and Red Sea.

My newest instant ocean bucket actually has a higher level of calcium than the H2Ocean bucket that I tried and both are low in magnesium in my opinion.

The only problem I've ever had with salt was when I left a batch of new saltwater using seachem reef salt mixing for a month before using it for a water change. The tank immediately experienced a minor crash where 2 fish and a brittle star died. Aside from that unfortunate event I havent had any problems or successes using different brands of salt.