Best Salt?

[costa13]

My LFS uses Instant Ocean salt. They said they have to add calcium to it though. The other salt they sell is Oceanic Salt. They said that Oceanic salt is not good and has to much calcium and you have to add softeners to it. Is this true? My question is should I use Instant Ocean and add calium or should I just order Red Sea Salt and have to pay for shipping?
Thanks.

 

[mandarin w]

My instant ocean water, test out perfect. I don't have to add anything. IO is one of the better salts. I didn't care for oceanic, it raised my phosphates.

 

[team2jndd]

Ive never really noticed a significant difference between salts. I have used oceanic but did have some troubles with hair algae for a little while. Never thought it could be the salt.

 

[costa13]

Thanks. Looks like I will be buying a bag of IO my next vist to the LFS.

 

[marine fanatic]

Is your goal to have a FO tank or a reef tank? IO is good salt but if you go with a reef or even a FOWLR, you may think about calcium additives for your coralline and inverts. IO tests out great after a water change but your tank will consume trace elements and coralline algae on your LR and inverts need a good source of those elements. Some people like Purple Up but I use Liquid Calcium, Iodine, Strontium and Molybdenum (sp?) for good coralline growth and invert health.