What is everyone using these days?

[Ifferfish]

I have been a Tropic Marin user for the last decade. Had good luck with it, but Mag, and Calc. is always low so I started mixing 1/2 TM Pro with it to adjust for the shortcomings of the regular.
I have been noticing a few new salt brands out there and was wondering what people are using and happy with these days.

 

[MrCote]

for salt I just switched to reef crystals. Instant ocean wasnt too bad but Ill have to wait and see how good reef crystals is.

 

[Ifferfish]

I have never had an issue, but am considering if I really need to spend that much on salt. I add Calc. and Mag. to adjust levels anyway...

 

[wilfx]

I have been using IO for awhile.

 

[MrCote]

with just instant ocean and no additives at 1.025 for SG I get a calcium reading of 340

 

[JohnK]

I use the TM regular and supplemen each batch with some magpellets, epsom salt and dowflake

 

[MrCote]

You can use epsom salt? I have a couple bags of it. What does it do?

 

[delta]

Epsom salt boosts Mg

I use Coralife no adjusting needed

 

[Ifferfish]

John K, I have been using the same recipe. Works!

 

[JohnK]

I have the amounts written down somewhere, I'll look for that...

Mg flake mixes with epsom salts at a 10:1 ratio to make a balanced Mg supplement. dowflake is for Ca.

you can use this to figure out dosages;
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

 

[newenglandreef]

re: Epson Salt, Randy's got an article somewhere about sulfur (?) buildup from use of Epsom Salt--that it could creat a problem over time...? Has anyone heard of that to be the case?

 

[yukyuklee]

coralife guy over here as well

 

[JohnK]

re: Epson Salt, Randy's got an article somewhere about sulfur (?) buildup from use of Epsom Salt--that it could creat a problem over time...? Has anyone heard of that to be the case?

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

 

[mchartier]

Red Sea Coral Pro with no adjusting

 

[gonorth16]

Straight up Coralife

 

[jamesdong009]

I use Coralife no adjusting needed

Same here

 

[MrCote]

is coral life better than reef crystals?

 

[Ifferfish]

I should have included that I have a tank with a few softies, but mostly acros. I know that makes a difference in why some people choose the salt they do.
I am looking to make sure if I change, I keep the needs of my acros in mind.

 

[delta]

I used Tropic Marin for some time and got tired of spending twice as much and having to adjust on top of the cost. I switched to Coralife and have not looked back.

I have a SPS dominated tank.

 

[gweston]

I have been using regular IO. Calcium for me has run around 360 give or take (similar to MrCote mentioned). I usually dose Ca and Mg to bring levels up a bit. PH, and Alk has been just fine out of the box though. I thought about switching to reef crystals when I get the big tank in. It may be worthwhile as I will be moving from ~45 gallons water volume up to ~200 gallons water volume. Tank + Sump. I guess it depends on the cost/effort of bulk supplements vs out of the box.