What salt do you use?

[LBCBJ]

Thought this would be an intresting poll, even though I know who the winner will be.
(IO) cough! I personally use Tropic Marin. Make sure to vote and let's see what happens.
Let me know if I left an important one off.

Thanks

[graveyardworm]

I voted TM although I've been using TM Pro.

[LBCBJ]

I figured I'd group them together. How do you like the TM Pro? Does that differ from regular TM other than higher calc. and alk?

[vanmo92]

I voted instant ocean

[LBCBJ]

Feast your eyes, this is the only time TM and IO will ever be tied.

[smcdonn]

I voted for reef crystals. What my LFS sells and recomends.

[graveyardworm]

Alk is right on at 8 dkh, Ca is high slightly over 500 ppm, and Mg is low 1200 ppm. I'm only on my second bucket, and there was some variation from the first to second bucket. Mg was lower in the first bucket

[fsn77]

I started out with IO, but recently switched to Reef Crystals.

[KDodds]

Whatever's available and at the best price point. Doing a 10% change with a different salt brand, IME, doesn't make any difference.

[R33f3r]

Io buckets. Get them cheap :)

[Btboy2004]

Reef Crystals

[Chupakabra-King]

IO baby all the way to the winner's circle ! :smokin:

[austin552]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7534158#post7534158 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fsn77
I started out with IO, but recently switched to Reef Crystals.

+1

[LBCBJ]

I wonder what those who voted "other" use?

[bjc7487]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7534158#post7534158 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fsn77
I started out with IO, but recently switched to Reef Crystals.

+1 here

[Kaos]

IO, it's worked for 4 years so why switch?

[Fishie Nut]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7534158#post7534158 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fsn77
I started out with IO, but recently switched to Reef Crystals.


Me, too

[ShellBell]

Dang, maybe I should switch to Instant Ocean (using coralife now becuase that is what the LFS sells)!!!

[LBCBJ]

Yeah, I'm expecting about 50% to use IO. What I'm really intrested in is who comes in 2nd and 3rd.

[Salamander]

Reef Crystals

[Medaka]

I use Oceanpure salt.

It's a low cost salt, mixes FAST, and has good test results.

[LBCBJ]

Not looking too good for Seachem.

[LBCBJ]

I'm hoping to get at least 500 votes.

[monicaswizzle]

"I wonder what those who voted "other" use?"--Brent
_____________

I voted other. I use Proline SuperSalt. One 5 gallon bucket makes up 400 gallons of salt water. (You have to add pure salt to the mix--I uses Morton's canning and pickling salt for that.) I am very new to the hobby, so may find this doesn't work well for some reason, but so far I have been happy with the results and the price is great ($47 for the concentrate and $20 for the Morton's gets you 400 gallons). You have to have a good mixing tool (I use an electric drill with a paint mixing attachment) and measure everything very carefully, but otherwise it is less hassle than the bulkier total mixes. Curious if anyone used this long term and if so, what they think.

[LBCBJ]

I've never heard of anyone doing that before, I'd be intrested in seeing how livestock reacts to that.

[andyjd]

Oceanic for me although I'm considering changing, although I have heard bad things about changing over

[LBCBJ]

Lets get more votes guys and make this one official

[LBCBJ]

Well I've had over 400 views but only 100 votes. Did those 300 not use salt? I would really appreciate your vote. Thanks

[jarhed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7536754#post7536754 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Medaka
I use Oceanpure salt.

It's a low cost salt, mixes FAST, and has good test results.

WORD!

Love that stuff. Best value EVER. I used to use IO, OceanPure has done wonders to my tank.

[DocG]

I use IO. I tried to switch over to Tropic Marin and had a brutal RTN event in the tank. I also tried reef crystals but when I measured the Calcium, alkalinity and Magnesium I found them too similar to IO to justify the price difference.

[LBCBJ]

^

[roader247]

Taging along

[LBCBJ]

Looking for 360 more votes

[LBCBJ]

^

[Stile2]

I voted other. I buy my salt water from my LFS. Good test results, and consistent.

I don't have the room to mix up my own salt water yet. Working on the fishroom.

[Konadog]

OceanPure Pro is not on the list, nor is NSW so another vote for other.

[izzypop]

OceanPure

[Liverneck]

I Use Ocean water from my LFS. Been using it for years, no problems.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7536217#post7536217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LBCBJ
I wonder what those who voted "other" use?


For me, it's NSW which is not on your list.

And as Konadog mentioned, neither is ocean pure, which is a new salt that's out and seems to give good results. ;)

[10" Red Devil]

I was using Catalina Natural Sea Water from the Deathco. Only I think Im going to stop after testing 5mg/l of nitrate using a new hagen kit and 0.1ppm of Phosphate using a Salifert kit and a Red Sea. Now I just dont know which brand Im going to switch to though.

I have great things about hW Marinemix, but you cant find it locally and the shipping at Drfostersmith.com is crazy!!

[pecan2phat]

Seachem reef salt here.

I originally started with HW back in the late 70's, then to Coralife for the longest, then to Oceanic which didn't last long due to red turf algae, so then onto the inexpensive IO but the Ca, Alk & Mg was miserable and now Seachem.

[schroder_reef]

I'm surprised more people haven't tried Oceanic salt. IMO having used IO and a few others for years, it's by far the best. The solubility of the salt alone is truly amazing. If you haven't tried it, check into it. It's a fairly new salt but it is very reliable.

[RevHtree]

Oceanic here. I get a 90g mix for $19.

[pecan2phat]

I've used Oceanic from it's debut. Great cause the calcium was in the 500 ppm range and alk was acceptable but needed to be boosted.
The problem was it's inconsistency with quality control. Every few buckets were different and some people like me eventually ran into a bad batch and now it's been an uphill battle fighting the red turf algae.
When I was buying the Seachem reef salt, there was a rep from Seachem there and since I was buying a pallet, we engaged in conversation and of course the question arised in which salt I was using prior. When I mentioned Oceanic and the latter problems, he smiled and knew about the "red turf algae" thing and commented that it was known in the small circle of marine salt manufacturing. My first question was if his salt was produced in China like Oceanic and his response was that Seachem is produced in the US.

[LBCBJ]

Seachem's not bad, but it has unnaturaly high levels if borate.

[poedag]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551298#post7551298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blown63chevy
For me, it's NSW which is not on your list.


another for NSW, it's the best and it's free about 50yds from my lab!

[hangles]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7536217#post7536217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LBCBJ
I wonder what those who voted "other" use?
I use red sea. i like the fact that it is from a natural sorce.even though the PH is a little low. but i supliment anyway's

[papagimp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7552361#post7552361 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LBCBJ
Seachem's not bad, but it has unnaturaly high levels if borate.
What kind of impact would high borate levels have? I've a little over halfway done with my first bucket of ReefSalt from Seachem. I'm still new to the hobby and havn't decided which brand I should stick with, I'm leaning towards IO just because it's readily available at all the LFS, and i have to order seachem online. A little pricey with everybody wanting to charge extra to ship salt.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7552394#post7552394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poedag
another for NSW, it's the best and it's free about 50yds from my lab!

Which Lab in which direction? If you ever see a big blue extended cab 4X4 chevy there filling up 6 trashcans, that's me. :D

[LBCBJ]

Haha, nice one blownchevy.

Papagimp - theres nothing horrible about high borate levels, but they can become toxic at high levels.

[Bebo77]

best salt i have ever used seachem reef... water parameters are all perfect out of the bucket.. what more can i ask for?

[Mekong]

Coralife!!!

It comes with a T-shirt!!!

[poedag]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7552773#post7552773 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blown63chevy
Which Lab in which direction? If you ever see a big blue extended cab 4X4 chevy there filling up 6 trashcans, that's me. :D

I work on the first floor of the Bren building. i suppose it's more like 100yds but who's counting. i'll be sure and look for you, or if your ever on campus during the weekday send me a PM and stop by.

[LBCBJ]

I'm not letting this one die anytime soon :D

[fittdog8848]

has anyone heard of Crystal Sea Salt? If anyone has tested this stuff can you provide some feedback?

[Crusty Old Shellback]

poedag,
I'm usually there early saturday mornings while everyone else is asleep or late in the evening during the week. That way I can miss the traffic. ;)

[SilverShark]

I currently use IO but going to switch over to Tropic Marin as the calcium levels are higher and I hate having to dose to maintain my calcium levels :)

[Drew Reed]

IO for me.

[AngeloM3]

Oceanic

was on sale :dance:

[reef_ky]

i voted other...............Red Sea....Great Product

[whiteshark]

Well LBCBJ, scince my thread obviously isn't gonna end up the way I wanted it, I will keep yours on the front page. TMP!

[CorallineDream]

Had been using IO and recently switched to Oceanic. Slightly better Alk & CA. About the same price. Additionally, the 50 gallon size plastic jug makes handling really easy. No more twisty ties on those IO bags!

[xtrstangx]

IO

[cham]

IO. You cant beat the 5 gallon bucket (makes 160g) for $32 bucks (regular everyday price). I buy from a large local retailer Petsmart.

[LBCBJ]

^

[ericandchrissy]

TM Pro

[nathan_unsane]

the only reason i even use instant ocean is becuase of the convenience...

*THIS PACKAGE MIXES 10 GALLONS OF SALTWATER AT 1.022*

doesn't get any easier then that... i gave up trying to find the exact formula 1 cup to 5 gallons..

what ever...

[JRistau81]

Seachem Reef is my personal favorite.

[1SickReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7544871#post7544871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DocG
I use IO. I tried to switch over to Tropic Marin and had a brutal RTN event in the tank. I also tried reef crystals but when I measured the Calcium, alkalinity and Magnesium I found them too similar to IO to justify the price difference.

O man, say it is not so. I'm switching to TM, that's what I voted, I will be doing my first 10% this weekend. I hope it goes smooth, Sorry about your RTN event that blows. I may do 2 5% one sat and one Sunday just to ease into it.

I am going to test for everything in the mix via salifert kits before I add it. and after

[Melody]

Been using IO since day 1.

[jarhed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7562752#post7562752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cham
IO. You cant beat the 5 gallon bucket (makes 160g) for $32 bucks (regular everyday price). I buy from a large local retailer Petsmart.

Then you'd love OceanPure! :D

Dont think they make buckets anymore, but I just use my old IO buckets. $32.99 for four 50gal bags. 40 gal more than IO was giving me.

[cham]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7572235#post7572235 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jarhed
Then you'd love OceanPure! :D

Dont think they make buckets anymore, but I just use my old IO buckets. $32.99 for four 50gal bags. 40 gal more than IO was giving me.

Online price or in store price. I am talking store price, walk in, lay $31.99 down and walk out.


Is it as good as IO as far as disolving quickly?

[snoozer]

IO user here