What Salt do YOU use?

[Mrs.kbmdale]

We NORMALLY use Reef Crystals, but the only LFS that was open last night AND carried RC, wanted 40 bucks for a 50g bag and 80 bucks for a freaking 160 bucket!!!!!! (I had a VERY hard time not laughing in their face) So.... we had to get something else, and decided to get the Oceanic 90g, of course at a different LFS.


So.... WHAT salt are YOU using, and what have been your experiences with it?


TIA Everyone,
Brianna

[Mrs.kbmdale]

Oh, come on. I know ya'll are tired of the "salt" threads, but here's a chance for an extra post

I would really like some input.

Brianna

[cyclist1]

Instant Ocean. We have never had a problem with it in the several years that we have been using it.

[gtoon159]

Reef Crystals at 60$ for a 160Gal bucket at my LFS. Always been a good mix for us.

I usually watch for sales from online vendors when free shipping comes up I stock up.

Good Luck

[znut Reefer]

Using Oceanic and IO 50/50 here.

[Mrs.kbmdale]

Thanks for the replies Normally we get a 160g of Reef Crystals for 42-45 but that LFS is only open on Sat. and Sun. (appt only during week) and we couldn't wait till today, cause today we're upgrading our 30 to a 75. Hopefully more reply so I can get a sensus, per say, on what salt is used most.



Let me ask this though too......
How many of you out there use OCEANIC??? And how do you like it?

TIA Everyone,
Brianna

[Reef'in Colorado]

Still using IO here. I get it at Petsmart cheap. They will match their online price if you take a copy of their price in to the store with you.

[znut Reefer]

I have been using Oceanic for 1 yr now. I started mixing it with IO just to lower the ca in Oceanic. I don't have to add any ca, mag. So that works for me. Levels always stay at acceptable levels when tested. I think Oceanic may have raised the alk to lower the ca, just hear say until someone does some tests on a new pail.

[Mrs.kbmdale]

znut reefer,
I heard that too, we are going to use the rest of our rc and existing water when we transfer everything to the 75 then use the oceanic to make the difference. When you mix your oceanic, does it dissolve nicely, or do you have to do the powerhead overnight thing??

tia,
Brianna

[BucNtears]

Started with Reef Crystals . No problems here . If I start having them I'd consider a change .

[reefdood]

IO for years.

[Medicine Man]

Check out Fosters and Smith for Reef Crystals. I just ordered the 160 gallon bucket with free shipping 2 weeks ago. Total price was like $32.

[mako199]

I use Reef Crystals but be careful switching salts it could upset the system. I read other people having problems when they switched.

[llamart]

When I was a little kid I used IO and getting back in the hobby thats what I started with, but I have been using Crystal Sea for the last 3-4 years. It mixes real clean and the parameters of it have always been solid.

[mraafat]

I want to try Seachem'w reef salt. Strating up a new 120 and I think I am going to use it and see how things go.

[Mrs.kbmdale]

Originally posted by mako199
I use Reef Crystals but be careful switching salts it could upset the system. I read other people having problems when they switched.

That IS mainly what I'm worried about. Im hoping though that the way we are doing this "upgrade" it will be ok.

We are combining our 29g and 30g into a 75g, using our exisiting 20h fuge, with a new sandbed and a 20g sump we still have about 10-15g (give or take a few) of ReefCrystals still left. So HOPEFULLY we wont have to use very much of the oceanic yet, and if we do, it would be the equivelant of maybe a 5% water change.

I just like having the input of what everyone uses and how they like it, so THANKYOU everyone for responding

Brianna

[JENnKerry]

Instant Ocean.
We've never used anything else. We go onto the PetSmart website and print out the page with the salt prices on it and take it to our closest PetSmart. They honor their online prices so in the end we save quite a bit on a bucket

[WorldNation]

Coralife salt all da way. use it on all my tanks.

[Lpsfanatic338]

Always OCEANIC, i get it at my Lfs $38 for a 200g bucket

[rdelong]

Instant Ocean at $42/160gal bucket

[znut Reefer]

I have never had any problems with it mixing completely in a couple hours. I always mix mine for 24 to 48 hrs to give all the parameters time to adjust.

[Mrs.kbmdale]

Originally posted by Lpsfanatic338
Always OCEANIC, i get it at my Lfs $38 for a 200g bucket

jeez we paid 25.49 with a 10%discount + tax for a 90g pour container!



I'll have to do some printing out of online prices for sure next time. The petsmart in huntsville,al (which is the closest one)doesn't carry ReefCrystals though so I don't know how that will help me out. And petco wanted darn near the LFS price I quoted originally.


I didn't want a poll, so MORE input please

Brianna

[gfk]

i use oceanic...

but petsmart by my parents house has that deal for the 200 g which i might have to take advantage of soon. i believe for oceanic... im nervous about switching

[DMK]

i'm using crappy crystal seas because 3 years ago, supposedely it was THE salt. well it sucks. i have stable parameters, but i blame it for several STN episodes w/ SPS. i will be switching this week. i'm either going w/ SeaChem reef salt or IO. probably IO.
- when switching u shouldn't have a problem as long as you do first water change w/ 1/2 and 1/2, then maybe like 3/4 new brand and 1/4 old brand on 2nd change. by 3rd all new brand. this is what i'm planning. Seachem is supposed to be great salt except id does have high boron levels, 4XNSW. wheather or not this will affect corals remains to be seen.
- has anyone been using seachem for a long time? anyone have problems w/ Ca, Mg, Alk levels while using IO? i know of some that mix oceanic w/IO because they say w/ just IO, they need to supplement Ca, Mg and Alk.

[Mrs.kbmdale]

Thanks DMK, I really just needed someone to reasure me and you did that so thanks!

Keep the replies coming though

Brianna