What kind of salt is best???

[Dezzy]

Can you all please tell me what kind of salt you think is best and why?

[Ace25]

Ocean Pure Pro - CA always around 420-440 and Mg around 1400-1500. Gone through 10 buckets of it in the last 6 months and numbers have been very consistent in that time frame. I can't say that for some of the other well known brands out there where you may get an ok CA level but Mg always seems lacking. (Reef Crystals/Instant Ocean).

[Catpicklesdog]

I use Reef Crystals and never have a problem with any of my levels. I did recently swap to Aqua Medic Reef Salt but have found that it doesn't dissolve as well as Reef Cyrstals, so will be swapping back (only tried it to save money!)

[Gangstafish]

Tropic Marine. I did a phosphate test on my RO water. It equqlled 0. I then tested my salt water mix using IO. It read .5. I tested Reef Crystals. Same result. I tested Tropic Marine, Never had a problem. The ph and all the parameters are very consistent with Tropic Marine. It's a little expensive compared to the other brands,but you get what you pay for.

[Amphiprion]

Whichever one seems to have the better parameters at the time. They seem to vary, so I vary by how off they are. That usually means switching between Instant Ocean, Reef Crystals, and Red Sea. In any case, always test every new batch of salt to see if it meets your needs.

[Catpicklesdog]

Tropic Marine. I did a phosphate test on my RO water. It equqlled 0. I then tested my salt water mix using IO. It read .5. I tested Reef Crystals. Same result. I tested Tropic Marine, Never had a problem. The ph and all the parameters are very consistent with Tropic Marine. It's a little expensive compared to the other brands,but you get what you pay for.

Do you use Tropic Marin or Tropic Marin pro?? I might give it a go!

[fsn77]

I started with Instant Ocean and soon switched to Reef Crystals. I've never had a problem with Reef Crystals. It dissolves well and the levels in it tend to be fine most of the time as far as I'm concerned. The consumption rate of calcium and alkalinity in my tank always warrants supplementation between water changes regardless of what it starts out at from the salt mix itself.

[agilis]

Tropic Marin, beyond question. I've been using it for more than 30 years. It mixes quickly, and produces water that is virtually indisguishable from natural seawater. Tropi Marin Pro has extra calcium for reef tanks. Otherwise, no difference.

[wellsm2]

I have used both tropic marin pro and Reef Crystals. I think Tropic Marin is a better salt, but not worth the extra money. I am using reef crystals now because it is almost as good and a whole lot cheaper.

[kryptic4l]

reefers best

[Fishieness]

I've tried every one in my area. I just finished a bag of seachem reef salt. It was fine, but they have higher levels of boron.
I just got a new bag of reef crystals and am actually yet to test it. I usually get good and consistent readings with them (last times i've used them), but I did get one bad batch once. I did a 5 gallon water change on my 40 gallon tank and got some stn on some of my sps. So, i did another water change. Still continues. I then tested and my phosphates were .5... Needless to say, I wasn't too happy.
I've used tropic marin before, and have found the Ca to be shifty. I've gotten low readings every time I have tried. We had a bucket at work that a friend of mine took and the Ca in it tested to be 270...

[Slappy*McFish]

I've been using Oceanic for awhile now but before that I just used Instant Ocean.
I just recently bought a bucket of Red Sea Coral Pro so I like to try different salts from time to time. ;)

[Almondsaz]

I have only use Tropic Marin Pro. It is a little pricey and now a bit hard to find locally, but I still thinks its worth it. Easy to disolve and consistent in it's reading. Recently saw my first drop in mag-alk-calc. Turned out the salt mix was spot on, but it had to be becuase of my coral growth.

I love TMP and won't change....ever.

[Slappy*McFish]

I've heard many good things about TMP, but have never tried it due to the price. Though, when you take into consideration the cost of a reef tank to begin with, I guess the price of the salt really is negligible.

[Almondsaz]

I haven't had to fiddle with the chemistry in the system and I attribute it to TMP. I add TM Calcium from time to time becuase I know I now have aquired some corals that are demanding, not to mention my Dersa who is fairly large and growing like a weed.

I don't think you can go wrong with the main brands of salt...honestly, I wouldn't have done TMP if me LFS hadn't started me on it when I got into the hobby. But, once you use it and don't have any chemistry issues....why change.

Good luck.

[Catpicklesdog]

I recently started on Deltec H2Ocean natural Reef Salt and now I know my LFS stocks it, I won't be changing. It dissolves quickly and all parameters are perfect.

[Almondsaz]

CPD is teh Deltec H2Ocean expensive? comparable to the TMP?