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Reef Salt Comparison

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by AJ, Dec 14, 2011.

  1. moneypit

    moneypit Inactive User

    167
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    the best luck I ever had with salt was mixing I/O and RC together. Never had no problems and everyone was happy, switched over to TM Pro and had nothing but problems. That was then this is now and I'm sure things have changed definitely going to look into the Getanked salt mix tho.
     
  2. moneypit

    moneypit Inactive User

    167
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    charts and graphs
    http://web.archive.org/web/20010303215133/www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/mar/features/1/default.asp
    Part 1: Salt Study/Review
    http://www.reefland.com/articles/rho/sea-salts-part-one-a-review-and-a-new-study-to-determine-their-effects-on-reef-aquarium-inhabitants
    Part 2:
    http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/eb/index.php
    More Reading:
    http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_4/V4I3/Salt/salt.htm
     
  3. xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    We use IO at the store.

    IO & RC are tried and true. Many studies have been done and IO & RC are always among the highest in key elements. Industry leaders have used them for years including Eric Borneman & Calfo.

    Yes it has left a residue for years, but there are still tons & tons of incredible tanks out there that has used it for years.

    I am one of those people that says if it is not broke, dont fix it.
     
  4. moneypit

    moneypit Inactive User

    167
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    ^ agree
     
  5. Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,821 / 14 / -0
    Central Campus had 3 pallets of IO when I was there last...

    One thing I don't like about RC is that occasionally when you mix it you get little particles that won't dissolve, and you have to filter them out. I think it may be because of the "settling" issue that einsteins mentioned, or possibly because the bags weren't stored in proper humidity. It doesn't seem to happen all the time, and I'm guessing it's calcium precipitating (I mix RC to 1.025/6, which gives Alk around 11.5 and Cal >500).

    I think I may try mixing IO-RC and IO-SS next time...never thought of that.
     
  6. Bennyboy515

    Bennyboy515

    77
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I use reef crystals, but the brown residue bothers me too so I run a cascade 500 canister filter which polishes it up and prevents the brown film.
     
  7. einsteins

    einsteins Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    this has always been my issue with bucket/boxes of salt mix. Anyone who knows me from the past knows that i belive one the best things you can do for your tank is make sure the balance between alk and calcium is correct.looking at the paramters above of 11.5alk and calcium >500 is not balanced. With 11.5alk, calcium shoul be 442 (give or take 10ppm) The only way to get this premix in balance is to leave the water out of balance until the calcium falls off enough or raise the alk to match the 500+ calcium which runs a risk of turning you substrate to a brick.
    I believe that ideally you should find a mix that mixes to the alkaliniy you want and then you should add the calcium separately to bring it to the balanced amount. some mixes get close to a balance but because most people only scoop out enough mix to make what they need and most mixes have their contents settle in the container causing elements to separate and thus when scooped out for use it may not have the correct ratio of elements.
    I will say that the average tank keeper probably doesnt want to deal with this level of detail with their salt mix so the salt makers just make their salts so you add water and go.Some might say i am splitting hairs here...maybe I am, but I believe that good water parameters are the core to a great tank, without good balanced water parameters it makes all other issue even more difficult to fix.
    Gettanked salt allows me to practice what i have just preached above. I realize its not a mainstream brand or even a recognized name but it is truely the best quality and most consistant salt i have used by far!
    I have no stake in the product....I just like to share a great product when i find one.
    Btw here is a link to a great calculator that will tell you what the balanced level of calcium is for you alk level, i use it all the time!
    http://www.ultimatereef.net/calculators/alkcalcalc.html
    Billaka einsteins
     
  8. einsteins

    einsteins Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I believe that the brown residue is from the anti caking agent they use in their salts...
    einsteins
     

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