Best Salt
 

What is the best Salt to Purchase. I am using Red Sea right now.

Everyone told me Tropic Marin, so I choked up the money and bought some. I don't see what all the hype is about. I was just as happy with Instant Ocean for half the cost. Doubt I'll buy it again.

I have been using RC but there is a QC problem with it at the moment, you can read more about in the Chemistry Forum.
Bob

Many salts will work just fine and there is no clear "best", although there may be dogs to avoid (at least historically there have been). The formulations change frequently, so it is hard to say too much with certainty.

I use Instant Ocean. I detail many issues relating to salt mix choice here:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 1: The Salt Water Itself
[url]http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php[/url]

Reef Crystals for years always happy with it.

i just ordered a bucket of Reef Crystals

Red Sea Pro..

I had reef crystals but the Ca and Mg were always so low that I had to suppliment the water before changes. Red Sea Pro has High Ca and Mg but lower Alk.

i use oceanic salt and havent had any problems at all

Instant Ocean (IO or RC) and Tropic Marin have been around for a long time and are pretty well proven I'd say. I use Reef Crystals myself.

F&S is great for purchasing IO or RC online. It's cheap (at least compared to my LFS) and they don't kill you on shipping.

TMPR

I use reef crystal because some reefers have refer it to me, they said reef crystal is good for corals due to more cal and alk.

I get my 5gal bucks of rc at my lfs for $39.99 plus tax. Is that expensive?

It's not terribly bad. If you buy in bulk, you can save a little bit. $31.99 at F&S:
[url]http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4856[/url]

It's not a bad price compared to the LPS I use (~$60) Four or more and you'll probably save money with F&S. Buying 10 of them will cost about $33.80/bucket including shipping.

io and kalkwasser