What saltwater mix?

jencheung

jencheung

AC Members
Jan 22, 2007
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Cambridge, MA
What's the best saltwater mix out there for reef keeping? I currently use IO for my fish only system, but since I'm changing it into a new reef system this weekend, I was wondering if there's a better salt mix out there. I've been doing a lot of reading trying to figure out what I need to know about water chemistry stuff but it's so much to take in! Is there a saltwater mix that has good calcium/alkalinity levels or should I invest in a two part supplement regardless of salt mix? I've heard Kent makes a good one? I've got test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, calcium, phosphate and kH. Is there anything else I need? Other than the two part supplement, are there other supplements that I need to get right off the bat? I think I'm going to start off the tank with saltwater premixed from the LFS so hopefully I'll be starting off on the right foot. Thanks for indulging all of my newbie questions!
 
jencheung said:
What's the best saltwater mix out there for reef keeping? I currently use IO for my fish only system, but since I'm changing it into a new reef system this weekend, I was wondering if there's a better salt mix out there. I've been doing a lot of reading trying to figure out what I need to know about water chemistry stuff but it's so much to take in! Is there a saltwater mix that has good calcium/alkalinity levels or should I invest in a two part supplement regardless of salt mix?

<<I suppose the answer to this varies. Reef Crystals is a good choice, i'm currently using Seachem>>

I've heard Kent makes a good one? I've got test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, calcium, phosphate and kH. Is there anything else I need?

<<Test kit for Mag would be a good addition>>

Other than the two part supplement, are there other supplements that I need to get right off the bat?

<<None really, and i include the two part solution in the "none". Additives should be brought as and when they are needed and is dictated by your test results. I have not had to buy additives for any of my reefs so far>>

I think I'm going to start off the tank with saltwater premixed from the LFS so hopefully I'll be starting off on the right foot. Thanks for indulging all of my newbie questions!
Click to expand...


Added some comments above..
 
I used IO for the first year, and was dosing a two-part homemade supp. I just switched to Reef Crystals, and I've been able to stop dosing alk for now, still dealing with the Ca dosing, but I'm still testing every few days to get the levels ironed out.
 
I just spoke with the owner of a large LFS this weekend who swears by the BIO SEA salt. Does anyone have any experience with this salt mix.
 
Never heard of that one, but if it is not Reef Crystals, I would probably give it a shot. ;) Sorry, can't resist a dig at RC salt.. I still think it is terrible salt from doing tests on it. Just my opinion though, I know many others love it.. so we will just leave it at that.

I personally use OceanPure Pro salt for my reef. CA is around 440 and Mg is around 1450, and so far, has always been consistent. I can't say that is true for RC salt.

I have to disagree on the "no additives" part. I still use B-Ionic daily. I don't care who you are, or how long you have a reef setup, show me 1 tank that doesn't have a PH fluctuation between morning (before lights come on) and evening (when lights are about to turn off). You will always have a lower PH in the morning than the evening. Mine usually floats around 8.05 on my Neptune controller AND Hanna meter in the morning and goes up to 8.36 in the evening. I use a little Alk buffer in the morning to bump it up just a touch. I actually use more of the calcium component than I do alk though, but I guess I have some CA suckers in my system. As long as you test/monitor and adjust accordingly you will be fine. Don't just blindly add anything without testing. Just because the bottle states 4ml per gallon daily, doesn't mean your system actually needs that.
 
I think the point was not to not use supplements at all, but more what you said at the end there, don't add anything unless you can monitor it. I would start out with no supplements, then start testing Ca and alk and figure out what your system is going to need.
 
Thanks for the responses so far guys! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the input. So what I've gotten so far is don't put anything in unless you test for it. Most likely thing to keep an eye on is going to be calcium and alkalinity (and pH buffering). So most things are probably going to be supplied by the salt mixes during regular water changes... I guessed that IO wouldn't necessarily be the best option for a reef tank, I had heard some good things about Reef Crystals, but not everyone has had a good experience. Anyone else have experiences with Seachem or Ocean Pure Pro? Other contenders?

And to hijack my own thread, a secondary question is, to prevent big pH swings I know some people use reverse lighting cycles on their refugiums. Since mine is an all-in-one I won't have a refugium. Would adding LED moon lighting help with that at all? I'm thinking of changing out the 50/50 bulbs it comes with for 10k or 12k bulbs (total 72 watts over 24 gallon) and adding LED moon lights and was wondering if a more stable pH would be an added benefit to the change. Again, thanks so much and keep the responses coming! The more I hear from you all, the better prepared I am to start this project when my tank arrives in a few days!
 
Nope, moonlight LEDs do nothing for PH, I have a 65w CLF on my fuge on a reverse cycle, and all that does is prevent my PH from dropping below 8.0. Without the fuge light I would see 7.7-7.8 PH overnight. You would have to match the lighting on your fuge tank with your display tank to have zero PH fluctuations, something most people can't do.
 
i agree ....use reef crystals there the best ive ever used
 
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