To Reef Crystal or Regular Salt?
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Reef Chemistry
Forum Description: A place to discuss reef chemistry.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56834
Printed Date: December 28 2025 at 12:10pm
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Topic: To Reef Crystal or Regular Salt?
Posted By: Fatman
Subject: To Reef Crystal or Regular Salt?
Date Posted: May 31 2012 at 9:01am
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As my tank matures I am looking toward moving to a reef specific salt formula. So I began thinking about this a bit. I understand that a lot of it will depend on my alk, Ca and Mg test results. A little background: The tank is 55 gallons with a 20 gallon sump. Lots of live rock and about 10 fish. There are about 20 easy to raise coral, mostly zoas, a couple of lobos and some acans in the tank. I have begun to frag some of it off and have a nursery rack set up in the tank. I do >10% water changes each week (we have a FOWLR too that is also 55 gallons so I mix 15 gallons of water and split it between the tanks). The reef tank is doing well, all zeros across the tests, pH is 8.2 to 8.4 consistantly and I have 0.03 PPM phosphates. I'm using the standard new-guy salt, Instant Ocean. I currently don't test Ca, Alk, or Mg, but realize that I will have to start soon. I hear many people using a salt mix that is designed for reefs. I also hear of a lot of people dosing. My question is do I change to a reef salt and start dosing (once the test results show it's needed) or do I stay with the standard salt, do the water changes and dose as needed? I'm having a hard time understanding the purpose of a reef salt if you're dosing anyway. Thanks, Fat |
Replies:
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: May 31 2012 at 11:15am
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It's purely personal preference. I'm a lazy reefer, very cost conscious, yet practical minded. I prefer to buy 200 gal boxes of regular Instant Ocean salt because of cost and balanced Alk and Ca. Most serious hobbyists eventually have coral growing out their ears. No matter what fancy salt mix is used, water changes are the troublesome way to keep the 2 major elements satisfied. It's so much easier to pour in some homemade Alk and Ca solutions. As that becomes too much trouble the next step is to add a Calcium Reactor. The next 2 major elements of concern, Mg and I, must be added via supplements anyway. Hope this helps.  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Aquarium Creations
Date Posted: May 31 2012 at 12:20pm
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Do your research on reef crystals and the problems associated with it. I would also say there are better salts then others depending on your targeted goal. ------------- Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected] |
Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: May 31 2012 at 2:00pm
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Aquarium Creations -- not necessarily looking a the brand Reef Crystals, just looking to see if I should jump to a salt mix that's created to provide what's used in reef tanks. If I change to a reef salt, would I still need to dose provided I do 10% water changes weekly? If so, is there a reason to change? Thanks for the comments and I appreciate the advice if I switch. Fat |
Posted By: Aquarium Creations
Date Posted: May 31 2012 at 2:03pm
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That all depends on the demand of your aquarium, testing would be the only way to know that. ------------- Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected] |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: June 04 2012 at 1:20am
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I use Aqua Craft Marine-Enironment and have been very happy with it. Before that I used D-D H2Ocean. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: 1stupidpunk
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 6:55am
| Im using Red Sea Coral Pro salt, i dont have tons of corals to demand lots CA but so far just doing my monthly water change had kept my CA and Alk levels up. I do have to test and add mag/iodine from time to time. |