mixing marine salt

[unknownfisher]

Is it ok to mix another brand of marine salt with another brand? Or are they the same. I used a pack of salt for my 20 gallon and it wasnt enough. Then i went and bought a 3 dollar bag (treat 5 gallon). Is it ok? Is it also bad. :huh:

[mogurnda]

In my experience, it's better to stick with a single brand. They all use slightly different formulas, and switching between them can be hard on the livestock, especially corals.

In a pinch, though, mixing them probably won't cause a problem. I like buying in larger quantities, so that it's on hand for water changes and emergencies.

[unknownfisher]

Ok thanks. Today i'm going to go get more salt. Not the one that i used. Its the one that i normally uses and ran out of it. The specific Gravity right now is at 1.016. It has nothing in it. It is also a bare bottom.

Would crushed coral or sand do better? But i like the idea of coral. Looks more oceanic. It is also something that raises ph if im not mistaken. Thanks alot. :thm:

[mogurnda]

I would go with sand. I don't like the amount of debris that CC traps. For a small tank like that, it shouldn't cost much to get a few bags of nice white aragonite sand.

[unknownfisher]

Ok thanks. So how would i be able to keep the ph high and stable? Thanks.

[mogurnda]

The salt mix is buffered. The substrate doesn't actually do that much.

[unknownfisher]

Thanks