What Salt mix do you use?

[808smokey]

Hi,
What salt mix does everyone use?
I've been using "Instant Ocean" but it's leaving little white particles in the water It never disolves just sit's at the bottom of the container. So I'm guessing the salt mix is "old"
Is there a better choice than Instant ocean?
Here's a few other brands:
Coralife
Red Sea Salt
Kent Sea Salt
Reef Crystals Reef Salt
Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix
Are they all the same just different manufacturers?
Thanks

 

[pensky]

I use coralife and I have not really tried any other so I don't have anything to compare it to. So far it works well for me :yes:

 

[drew2005]

I use Red Sea. No problems with it at all. My calcium level is 400.

 

[hopkins6]

I use reef cystals. They have vitamins or something in it thats good for corals. I like it.

 

[hermitkrab]

I use Oceanic. Has all the things I need and all my corals and stuff is growing huge.

 

[sly]

I used to use Coralife, now I use Instant Ocean. Instant Ocean seems to dissolve better and my alk has been more stable since switching to it.

 

[schadiest1]

i use tropic marin for the fact that the salt contains important trace elements and viatams. also one of the salts that is truly phosphate/nitrate free. great salt!

 

[buzzword]

I have tried Instant Ocean and Kent so far. I like the Kent much better than the IO and parameters have been more stable with it. My coral load has increased and I plan on getting SPS and Clams down the line so I am going to change to Tropic Marin also, based on reccomendations from experienced reefers here in Denver. I will see what I feel worked best for me and stick with that brand.

 

[alextrif]

great result here with Tropic Marin - pricy, but very good. Dissolves GREAT.

 

[acrylic51]

Reef Crystals here!!!!! Not totally sold on the theory of added "extra" stuff added to the salt!!!! Tried Oceanic did like the way it dissolved, but corals responded better to the Reef Crystals so switched back and haven't 2nd guessed it

 

[mudplayerx]

I've only used Instant Ocean and it seems to work fine. One word of caution, switching brands of salt should be done slowly and with some research. I've heard of bad things happening to tanks in which large volumes of water were replaced with a different salt brand.

 

[milomlo]

I was using Corallife - no problems except the calcium seems really high
I am switching to Oceanic I do notice it dissolves alot faster than Coralife and the water is much clearer faster.
Don't really know if it is better or not. I read on another thread that alot of folks on this board has started mixing Oceanic and IO 50/50 as they get better alk, ph and calcium levels.
If anyone out there really does do that I would be interested in hearing about your readings before and after doing this.