Salt Mixes

[enjoiskater158]

I have started planning for my new system which won't be started for a little while. but the more planning the better so, i was reading about salt mixes and have read a Study about different salts. from that and other soruces on the internet i was thinking that Crystal Sea Marinemix-Bioassay was the best salt. Then i read about alot of people having problems with it, all problems happened whan switching salt mixes to Crystal Sea Marinemix-Bioassay. So my question is 1st does anyone use this brand of sea salt and are there any downsides to it. and since all problems were when people switched, if i started with this salt would it be fine?

Thanks

 

[rhysiboy]

just think though what if you couldnt get hold of some and the shop had sold out. Then you would either have to hold out on water cahnge or mix with another salt bran (dunno if it works both ways)

 

[Mr.September15]

Hmm, I've never heard of any of those brands. I use instant ocean which I heard was good (ski uses it too )

 

[enjoiskater158]

yeah i use instant ocean ATM on my current tank but have read that it has many haevy metals and over time they will build up to toxic levels. Supposibly the Crystal Sea Salt has almost the same amount of metals and elements as NSW does. Although rhysi does bring up a good point, i have not yet been able to find any of this for sale without the dechlorinator in it which i heard isnt has good as the salt without the dechlorinator. So im not sure which to choose the Crystal sea or stay with Instant ocean?

 

[atmmachine816]

I'v bought red sea salt mix, though I'v just realized instant ocean is cheaper, though does that mean instant ocean is worse then red sea?

 

[enjoiskater158]

i'v never used red sea salt mix so i have no idea but a cheaper product doesnt always mean a worse product.

 

[enjoiskater158]

does the all knowing ski know anything on this subject

 

[SkiFletch]

As a matter of fact, I do. A quick quote right from the title of Table 4 from Dr. Shimek's paper:

The data for Instant Ocean and Coralife salts are from Atkinson and Bingman, 1999. The data for Marinemix–Bioassay Formula were provided by the manufacturer. The data for Bio-Sea Marinemix are the average of two samples in the advertising literature from the manufacturer. The values for sea water are from Pilson, 1998.

I'm just curious whom you want to believe? The scientists (atkinson and bingman) who purchased off-the shelf samples and then tested them, or the corporation trying to sell their product? Seems a little fishy to me...

I guess I find it hard to argue with decades of success and thousands of reefers using a product that seems so evil? If salts like Instant Ocean and Coralife were so bad, don't you think people wouldnt have been using them for decades?

 

[tmreynolds]

Reef Crystals is another good brand, increased levels of trace elements

 

[Ter]

if only they said on the box what all the trace elements are...
check this link
Ter

 

[SkiFletch]

if only they said on the box what all the trace elements are...
check this link
Ter

w00t, great link Ter

 

[enjoiskater158]

Thanks everyone, I think ill be sticking with Instant Ocean