Salt

[jimskoi]

Which is the best salt for a living reef tank.I will have mostly corals and inverts in it.

Thanks
jim

[DARKPHREAK]

IO

[kennyman]

what are the differences between that and something like Red Sea?

[darkdep]

Obviously, Ken, "Instant Ocean" comes from the Ocean, and "Red Sea" comes from the Sea.  Duh.  


:lol:

[kennyman]

Doh now why didnt I think of dat!  

but really, cause my bag of RS is almost empty and I just got a 20g tank I will be using for my nano. I need to get some more salt over the hollidays. If its worth the extra couple of bucks Ill buy it, but I thought they were all the same.

[DARKPHREAK]

If your using one brand of salt, stay with that brand. Only change over to a new brand very slowly, least thats what I've read.

[jimskoi]

So IO is the best for a reef?DO you need to add anything to it or is it all in their?Its been a few years since I have been inot salt.Alot has changed.

jim

[FishPassion]

I used IO last year and switched to RedSea two months ago while doin water changes. Didnt read the ingredients list but no effects on either of my reef tanks and as dark mentioned if yer gonna switch do it slow...

BTW switched to Red Sea because of a sale on pails of it.LOL

[redbelly]

I use red sea and am very happy with it.

I too use it cause the pails go on sale for cheap

[luvfishies]

Instant Ocean is actually an "artificial" salt, very specifically formulated, and quick-dissolving.

I believe it has more of the trace minerals/elements than other brands.

[gator]

Instant Ocean is actually an "artificial" salt, very specifically formulated, and quick-dissolving.

I believe it has more of the trace minerals/elements than other brands.

That's interesting - I thought all aquarium salts were simply packaged natural ocean salt!

It makes one wonder, though.  One of the reasons given for partial water changes for reef aquariums is that the full range of limiting minerals, etc. is simply not known for corals, and W/Cs make up for any potential shortfalls of these unknowns.   If instant ocean is a completely artificial sea salt, are they sure they are not missing any critical ingredients?    Probably not, though, considering how many successful aquariums use it!

I use red sea, BTW (it's cheaper!)