What Salt?

[divegirl]

Hi, just a quick question before I start my journal proper, What salt do you all use? I've been running my Brackish tank on Tropic Marine [I think that's what it was called],but have run out and will be buying some new tomorrow.
So what is the preferred salt of you lovely lot?

Lisa x

 

[PaBucsFan]

I used Instant Ocean but my LFS recently talked me into using the Red Sea Salt brand. I haven't used it yet but they haven't misled me yet.

 

[Craig B]

I use D-D H2Ocean and have no complaints, it mixes well and the perameters are always spot on

 

[jaylam]

I used Tropic Marin no complaints

 

[xxBarneyxx]

All the answers you get a going to be personal preference and there really isn't one "best brand". some are better than others though but it depends what your after.

If you are going for a FO setup then just go for the cheapest one you can get.

I used to use Instant Ocean all the time. Never had any issues (kept softies and LPS corals) but the PH was always low and some of the parameters where a bit low too (calc and mag if I remember correctly). Use Red sea coral pro now and it has much better parameters and mixes up well.

 

[-Nemo-]

Used to use Instant ocean as well, but switched to coralife a couple months ago for same reasons.

 

[PaBucsFan]

Well I'm glad my LFS talked me into switching to Red Sea Salt!

 

[divegirl]

Thanks for your answers. So much do you get through? I know it depends on the size of the tank...mines 56 usg. So say how much per month?

Lisa x

 

[Pearsondesign]

i used to use TMC salt, but now i use Kent marine as its the only one as far as i know that can be added almost instantly, obviously not mixed in a tank with livestock in, but can be mixed until dissovled then literally poured straight in

 

[simonas]

I currently use Tropic Marine but I don;t thionk the calcium level is good eough so I;m changing next time around probably to red sea

 

[divegirl]

i used to use TMC salt, but now i use Kent marine as its the only one as far as i know that can be added almost instantly, obviously not mixed in a tank with livestock in, but can be mixed until dissovled then literally poured straight in

That's interesting to know, am I to assume that all of the others need to be premixed for an amount of time then? How is that done?
For my Brackish I just add the salt to near boiling water mix well and when cooled add straight to the tank

Also [please excuse my stupidity]does it have to be RO water? [whatever that is....lol]

Lisa x

 

[Pearsondesign]

as far as i know all other salts need mixing for 24hrs or more

as for RO water, i dont always use it on my marine tanks, but it is better.
it will stop diatoms which means you wont get loads of brown algae build up after water changes.

the problem i have is i dont drive so cant always get the RO water from my LFS, plus id need about 4 buckets of 25litres for water changes so its a lot of water to cart back and forth from shop lol

i found this website, it tells you a bit about each type of salt available
http/www.aquatics-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/aquarium_supplies_MARINE_SALT_153.html

 

[divegirl]

Well there's something I learned today Not managed to kill any fish that way yet though!

I've been looking into the RO predicament, as I don't drive either and my brother gets peed off enough at my constant whining to visit my LFS!
As I will be going marine slowly [using my GSP's] I was wondering about the need for it as surely the skimmer will have been doing it's job for a while, thus cleaning the water [?]. I would be able to get a certain amount for water changes and top offs.

Lisa x

 

[nick87]

Well there's something I learned today Not managed to kill any fish that way yet though!

I've been looking into the RO predicament, as I don't drive either and my brother gets peed off enough at my constant whining to visit my LFS!
As I will be going marine slowly [using my GSP's] I was wondering about the need for it as surely the skimmer will have been doing it's job for a while, thus cleaning the water [?]. I would be able to get a certain amount for water changes and top offs.

Lisa x

A skimmer isn't going to help get rid of the bad stuff in tap water, are you planning a reef or fish only system?

I would use RO water from the start, tap water will just lead to headaches at some point.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Yeah RO water is the best bet as tap water will often contain nitrates and phosphates (as well as other stuff) which can cause algae blooms. There is also a risk with tap water that it could contain copper which would be lethal to any inverts you have.

Its always best to let salt mix for 24 hours before using it. Undissolved salt is very corrosive and can do a lot of damage to fish (particularly their gills). To be honest 24 hours is probably overkill but its better to be safe. Normally I will set the water mixing on a Saturday or Friday night then do the water change in the afternoon on the next day.