Salt

[gasser]

Any preferences for brands of salt? I remember a study was done several years ago comparing different companies but don't have that information now.

[Irisservice]

I personaly use Instant ocean. I use to use Coralife and it did not disolve well. I tried Reef Crystals but seemed the same as Instant Ocean but more money.

Here is the link you were looking for
http://www.aquacraft.net/s9910.html

[Zack]

I use red sea an I like it :D

[HoopsGuru]

I have heard some terrible things on Red Sea salt. This has ranged from exothermic reactions (turned very hot when added to the water) to general inconsistencies from batch to batch.....including fluctuating PH and widely varying trace element levels. It seems the quality control is quite poor at their facility. Consistency is vital.

[Irisservice]

How is Kent salt?
I have been thinking of tring it on my next purchase of salt.

[phistio]

i personally use instant ocean...it dissolves rather uniform...

actually, i just get it because i like the picture on the bag...just kidding :lol: :wink:

[Irisservice]

hey don't laugh when i got my first bucket of Coralife salt i choose it because it came with a free tshirt. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[phistio]

i once bought a car because i got free popcorn and doughnuts... :P :lol: just kidding!

[fishfreek]

I use Instant Ocean.

The last two buckets I got did not have anything 'free' in them. :(

[Pineapple House]

I have used the Kent Marine salt, and am very fond of it. I have had very good experiences with it :-) I have also tried using instant ocean, very good, fast desolving, and I would highly recommend it! Kent and Instant Ocean would be my top choices :-)

PH =)

[carol]

here is a in depth link I found somewhere on the compositions of the major brands of salt http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/mar/features/1/default.asp

I like to use IO mainly cause I can get it at either of the three LFS in town, somebody always has some. has anyone mail ordered a 200 gal. bucket? if so how much did shipping run ya?
carol

[BigE]

I always buy the 200 gallon bucket but never order it for shipping. The only place near me that carries it is Petco... pretty much the only thing that place is good for.

[reefer_wannabe]

I use IO, have since I began this "hobby"(it's more of an obsession!). Why fix what isn't broke?

I get 200 gallon buckets from one of our LFS for about $54 after tax.

[viking]

Not sure if this fits in with your poll but i use NSW. I just go down to the beach and collect water. Much cheaper than buying salt plus no mixing etc.
Cheers,
Viking.

[phistio]

not much ocean here in the great midwest of ole' USA...surrounded by corn, cows, and cheese...

[NorthCoast]

not much ocean here in the great midwest of ole' USA...surrounded by corn, cows, and cheese...

LOL - That's why I use IO for all my saltwater needs... :D

Later,
NC

[VxZillahV]

I use Instant Ocean cause I get a 200 gal bucket for 20 bucks...sometimes there are great perks to working at a LFS

Monika

[Irisservice]

Which store do you work for?
Were in Brooklyn?

[VxZillahV]

LoL as of three days ago atleast, I worked for the PetLand behind Kings Plaza...school and work don't go well togeather and I rather stay in Columbia than work in a LFS that sells "Christmas Tree" worms and mandirins (sp?) as the best buy for beginners

Monika

[aliask8]

ive had no problem whith red sea?

[Loserland]

http://www.petsmart.com/fish/shopping/saltwater%5Faccessories/products/product%5F726.shtml

Check out the price here for Instant Ocean!!!
200 Gallons of salt for $42.98 w/ shipping.. :D

Anybody find it cheeper?? :?:

[Telco Guy]

That's funny, I don't see anyone else who has suggested this one, but I have always used Tropic Marin (http://www.tropic-marin.com). It's from Germany and costs a bit more, but I have had very good luck with it. Never cloudy and I get very good coraline algae growth.

[Aqua Cat]

I use two salts but not at the same time.

Hw Marine pro and Marine enviroment. :mrgreen:

[phistio]

since january i've been using the aforementioned TropicMarin (http://www.tropic-marin.com/). i'm quite pleased!

[GrendelPrime76]

i use IO and my last 200 gallon bucket gave me a free maxijet power head :mrgreen: , and i use to use coralife for the tshirts but then i thought why do i need 4 of the same shirts for any way?

[syndi58]

I use Oceanic, I like it only problem is it keeps my calcium kinda high. Disolves very quickly. Never cloudy and no salt creep.

[pnut]

Everyone has a calcium problem when using Oceanic. I was a huge fan of Reef Crystals but I have recently switched to Tropic Marin and man, do I love it.

[GSELLERS1245]

You are not the only one who has switched to tropic marin. I'm now running tropic marin and very pleased with my water quality. I do stay on top of my water though but IMO its alot better than IO.

[Byeager14]

hmmm, maybe i'll try the tropicmarin. right now i'm an IO guy.

[7brewer7]

i use red sea

[kiknchikn]

IO all the way for me. If it ain't broke (so far) don't fix it =)

[aquaticobserver]

you know i read all the support for IO but only 2 members vote using it. whats wrong here.

[Mike O'Brien]

LOL, I just got two more buckets from foster and smith. On sale now. Only $29 a bucket.

[aquaticobserver]

good deal mike, petsmart will price match competitors.

[inspctrlou]

Happy Valentines Day. Natural sea water from the Atlantic Ocean.

[dhughesz28]

Anyone use Oceanic ?

[pnut]

I hear issues with Oceanic. Has great calc levels but alk sucks.

[flyboydave]

Wow, I'm surprised so many use Kent. I thought everyone used IO. I've used Kent for years for two reasons - it's about 30% cheaper in the big buckets than IO, and for some reason I swear it requires less of it to get the same sg. Logically that makes no sense to me, but it seems that way. IO says to use 1/2 cup per gallon to get 1.021. When I used to use it, I was mixing more like 3 cups in 5 gallons cup to get that high. But with Kent, 1/2 cup per gallon gives me about 1.025 which is perfect.