Looking to buy salt and found this...

So I am looking to buy my first salt to start my tank and have reading up on brands like a mad man. Anyway, I ran across this article and thought I would share it with you folks.

http://web.archive.org/web/20001215070800/http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/mar/features/1/default.asp

Right now I am thinking IO, but I haven't ruled out the ME 2 part salt yet.

 

Ok, so I screwed up the link the first time. Let's just give you the url.

http://web.archive.org/web/20001215...om/fish2/aqfm/1999/mar/features/1/default.asp

 

There are basically two older salt comparisons out on the net this one which is done by
Craig Bingman which is trust worthy and then there is the infamous SR2 report which
was sponsored by a some company....and of course a certain one tested best. Only problem
with this one is it is getting old and the salt mixes have no doubt changed since
then. I believe Inland Aquarium is working on a new test which has been hindered by
a few obsticales but hopefully will be done in the near future.

 

so in everyones opinion, who makes the best or worst salt? can someone make an orderd list?

 

For my personal opinion 1. Tropic Marin 2. any of the Aquarium Systems - IO, Reef Crystals, and Kent. One I would stay away from would be Red Sea and Coralife

 

Wow. Tropic Marine, really? They have the best price out there also, from what I remember. what about Instant Ocean?

 

I use Marine Environment 2 Part Salt by Aquacraft and it has been the most consistent salt I have used.  I prefer it over IO, Reef Crystals and Coral Life salts.

My opinion is the cheaper the salt, the cheaper the salt.  This is the main environment for your livestock and I won't use producys that have the inconsistencies that have been exhibited in other brands.  The quality of the ingredients and the method of mixing to achieve ionic balance are really important.

 

Are there any studies done yet with Oceanic? I am curious how it compairs to the rest. I just bought a 200 mix bucket today for $39.99.... I couldnt resist. They have about 10 more sitting there for sale.

 

Low Phosphates...good
Low clay content....good
Not overloaded with excess trace elements....good

Too much Calcium and too much Magnesium and not enough alkalinity.....bad. Basically it is perfect for a Fish Only tank that is run at a SG of 1.020 to 1.022. However, once you increase the concentration to 35ppt (or 1.026), you have excess Calcium and Magnesium.

This can be easily adjusted using baking soda and washing soda prior to doing the waterchange. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm

 

Yes. In another section I have been reporting my calcium as 650 - 700! I have my gravity at 1.24 I am doing a 30gal water change tomorrow and I already mixed the salt to 1.23 (I want to lower it a little) I dont have an AlK test kit, but my PH is always good. Will the high calcium harm anything, I really want my corraline aglae to grow, and it is,but slow.