Red Sea Salt

[demosthenes]

I have always used Instant Ocean, but have recently found some Red Sea for very cheap, like half the cost of IO, and was wondering what everybody thought about it. So, has anyone used it with good results?

 

[jja]

I use reef crystals-more expensive,yes,but there is a huge difference. Don't skimp on the salt IMOP.

 

[entice59]

i only used a whole bag of red sea salt on the 55 gallon when i first started, is there a difference? i havent tested it for trace elements but it seems fine for the fish. I just noticed it takes a little longer to desolve red sea then instant ocean and kents.
i use kent for my 15 gallon because it supposidily has better/more trace elements. i did notice kent smells funny

 

[barracuda]

I was using IO for more than 2 years, then switched to Red Sea. Unfortunately my tank started outgrow with microalgae. My LR went crazy and became full of very strange types of algae. Even my LS was affected. I'm still having a big trouble with algae outgrow. My levels are good: PO4 max = 0.2 ppm, NO3 less than 1 ppm, no SiO2. I switched now to HW salt and never will buy Red Sea for my reef tank.

 

[entice59]

are you sure that was from red sea? it says no phosphates and what ever that thing all salts say... but i guess we wont reallly know until some tests a fresh new batch

 

[saltaddict]

Been using Red Sea for about 8 month. I too got a bargain found 200 Gallons bucket at $23 at a chain LFS. As someone already mentioned it takes longer to disolve but I let mine sit for 24 hours so that is not an issue. I did the switch from IO and have had no problems everything in my tank is doing fine.

 

[mlm]

Same here I alwayes used IO but found a 200 gallon mix bucket for very cheap so I started using it and I set up my new 120 with it. No complaints. I don't see any difference either way.