A good fast mixing reef salt?

Why are you using reef crystals? Dkh is around 13-14.

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

Damnnn... I need ur motivation... Ha-ha

Awesome that you included links for all the salts!!

This is why I like and prefer D-D H20...
I mix to 1.025 or 1.024


If u want high Alk mix at 1.026


The parameters are perfect if u have a doser. That way you don't have to change dosing or skip a day when u do a water change because the parameters are neutral and won't slowly creep up on you.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Thanks!

Yeah I didn't want to be too hardcore and call of them to verify what specific gravity they are making their claims on. I am assuming most are making the claim on the lowest specific gravity of 1.022-1.023 or 30 ppt.

I think basing on my research I will switch over to that new brand Aquaforest because they are yielding what I am seeking for most, low mix time with a good low cost. Almost 210 g for $33, so I hope to get about 120g for that since I mix to get 1.024.

I just placed my first order on amazon for salt. It was supposed to show up today via prime 2 day shipping. I got a email today saying there was a new estimated arrival for may 25 - june 15th. Needless to say I had to cancel my order. Kinda screwed me since I'm only home on weekends now and am missing my WC this week. I went back to write a review and there are all kinds of complaints of broken buckets showing up, just something to keep in mind. Maybe order a box, may fair better.


I'm on the hunt for a lower alk salt. I'm trying to decide between reg Red Sea and TM Pro. I like that the TM pro is based aroud a CaRx. Anyone use the Tropic Marin recently? I've read some complaints about instability and super low alk but those all seem to be from around 2010-2011.

I have been using Brightwell Neo Marine, since I got into this hobby. It dissolves very quickly when mixing.

I have tried d-d, Red Sea blue, io, tropic Marin pro. I think my corals liked io the best but I added muriatic acid to lower alk closer to 8dKh, plus I really liked using their bags for 50 gallon mix or so. On the other hand, not really fond of storing or using muriatic acid. D-d I also liked but it left brown sludge on the side of my water storage container although the dKh was perfect. Just got a goofy feeling about Red Sea blue but that was just me, and I never understood why the manufacturer recommended against mixing over four hours or whatever limit there was, never made sense to me and I don't like using a product if the instructions sound goofy. Been using tropic Marin pro and I like the dKh but I find it drifts lower while sitting in storage container. I would like to try aqua forest but you need to mix and use it right away and not store it.

[MENTION=3886]watchguy123[/MENTION]

Are you saying you found tm pro to drop quicker than other brands when in storage?

I've had the same problem with IO reef crystals. I mixed it for 5 days before use and it dropped down to 6.5. The week after I chose not to leave the pump on with just about the same result.

I should have been clearer. I have found the dKh to drop on others but I have only checked dKh a few times after the initial mix. I just typically don't retest dKh a week later on my saltwater holding container. I was so surprised by the drop this last time that I posted the following: http://www.reef2reef.com/threads/why-does-dkh-fall-in-saltwater-holding-tank.244789/ I was very much surprised by the response as well.