Kent vs Instant Ocean vs Oceanic vs Red Sea

Probably been discussed before but let's hear it again. Which one outa these four is the most recommended?

 

Reef Central Online Community - A General Guide to Salt Mixes

 

I also received very similar results to billybeau1 with a few exceptions, I read higher in Ca in Coralife and Mg as well. I'd have to dig out my notes to compare, I do know they were all pretty close....

So until the formulas change billy's results are a pretty good indicator of whats in the salt.
I personally would use Red Sea but that's me. The Kent, Oceanic, and Coralife have IME too much Ca and ALK but if your tank is up to it feel free!! Many people still love IO as it is dirt cheap, but there is many negative reports out there on it, except the one by O'Toole which has BEEN WIDELY DISCREDITED!! But people take IO, add some DOWFLAKES and MAGFLAKES to it and viola, decent salt. In the end its what you feel comfortable with!

Happy reefing!

 

So if your using a salt with too high calcium and alkalinity, what are the side effects?

 

To high is not bad. Bad would be unbalanced or too low. So bad might be calcium 500 dkh 6 and mag 1100. Many people have success with VERY VERY high levels, but the key is that they are balanced. IMO it is just a lot harder to keep the balance the higher you get

 

I pretty much just use salt that dissolves well. I have found that IO Reef Crystals dissolve very well. Regular IO is OK. Oceanic was the worst I have tried. I had leftover that I just threw away.

Of the three I have used, the Reef Crystals have the most ions to add to the system. However, it is not near enough IMO. I have always need to suppliment my salt mix to get my desired numbers.

 

I have tried a lot of different salts mixes over the last 11 years and I still end up going back to Instant Ocean whenever I try something different.

It seems that I have always had consistent good results with Instant Ocean and if I could not find Instant Ocean for some reason, I would use Reef Crystals.

Doug