Alright so I got off my lazy butt and dug in.
I researched all of the salt mixes that are readily available on BRS, Marine Depot, and Dr Fosters and Smith.
This was assuming all salts were reputable and stuck to their claims. This was only on mix times and prices.
[table]
[tr]
[th]Brand[/th]
[th]Small[/th]
[th]Large[/th]
[th]X-Lrg[/th]
[th]Mix Time[/th]
[th]Notes[/th]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Aquaforest[/td]
[td]$33[/td]
[td]$60[/td]
[td][/td]
[td]15 mins[/td]
[td]small = 22lb, large = 48.4 lbs (7.3lb makes 71g at 1.023) Prices on DFS
[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Brightwell Aquatics[/td]
[td]$28[/td]
[td]$63[/td]
[td][/td]
[td]24 hrs[/td]
[td]MD for 50g / BRS for 150 g
[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Coral Life[/td]
[td]$16[/td]
[td]$40[/td]
[td]$45[/td]
[td]Does not specify[/td]
[td]small = 50g, lrg =150g, xlrg=200g
[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]D-D H20[/td]
[td]$31[/td]
[td]$77[/td]
[td][/td]
[td]24 hrs[/td]
[td]small = 6.6 kg, lag = 23.3 kg, 6.6kg makes 43-52 g
[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]ESV[/td]
[td]$39[/td]
[td]$59[/td]
[td][/td]
[td]10 mins[/td]
[td]small = 50g, lrg = 100g
[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]HW[/td]
[td][/td]
[td]$72[/td]
[td][/td]
[td]Does not specify[/td]
[td]lrg = 160g
[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Instant Ocean Reef Crystals[/td]
[td]$20[/td]
[td]$50[/td]
[td][/td]
[td]24 hrs[/td]
[td]small = 50g / lrg = 160g, does not include IO Instant Ocean regular)
[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Kent Marine[/td]
[td]$16[/td]
[td]$40
[/td]
[td][/td]
[td]Does not specify[/td]
[td]small = 50g / lrg = 200g
[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Kordon Coral Sea[/td]
[td]$22[/td]
[td][/td]
[td][/td]
[td]Does not specify[/td]
[td]small = 50g
[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Red Sea[/td]
[td]$28[/td]
[td]$73[/td]
[td][/td]
[td]30 mins - 1 hr[/td]
[td]small = 55g / lrg = 175g
[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Sea Chem[/td]
[td]$20[/td]
[td]$55[/td]
[td]$60[/td]
[td]Immediately[/td]
[td]small = 50g / lrg = 160g / xrlg = 200g, notes to use immediately but recommends full aeration
[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Tropic Marin[/td]
[td]$26[/td]
[td][/td]
[td]$75-90[/td]
[td]Does not specify[/td]
[td]small = 50g, xlrg = 200g, Tropic Marin $75, Pro-Reef $90
[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]
EDIT: BRS = BulkReefSupply, MD = Marine Depot, DFS = Dr Fosters and Smith
REFERENCES:
AquaForest:
http://aquaforest.eu/en/product/sea-salt/
Brightwell Aquatics:
http://brightwellaquatics.com/products/neomarinet.php
Coral Life:
http://www.coralifeproducts.com/product/marine-salt/
D-D H20:
http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/h2ocean-natural-reef-salt
ESV:
http://www.esvco.com/products.html
HW:
http://www.hw-wiegandt.de/hw-marinemix-reefereng.html
Instant Ocean:
http://www.instantocean.com/Instant-Answers/Instant-Ocean-FAQs/Sea-Salt.aspx
Kent:
http://www.kentmarine.com/products/sea-salt.htm
Kordon Coral Sea:
http://www.kordon.com/kordon/products/sea-salt/coral-sea-complete-mix-with-amquel#directions-for-use!
Red Sea Coral Pro:
Link to Manual:
http://5w56d28u4co20frgwagf5y18.wpe...tilanguage-Manual_GB_FR_DE_IT_ES_PT_JP_CH.pdf
Sea Chem:
http://www.seachem.com/reef-salt.php
Tropic Marin:
http://www.tropicmarin-usa.com/questions.html