WATER CHANGES VS SALT MIXES part 2

I know this topic is similar to the other one that I posted not to long ago, but Im curious to know what you guys think. I've been in this hobby since the 80's and I have to admit I have never used a salt mix to perfrom a water change. I have been reading some of your responses and it sounds like most of you guys use this salt mix to do water changes. Now my question is, whats better,? to do the water change using the salt mix or getting the salt water from the LFS? Which brand do you guys recommend. I kind of know what you might say, but I need to know for sure. Thanks Luna

 

Well how do you think the LFS does it???? Salt mix ! If you want to trust a LFS to keep good cartiages in their RO unit and keeps the salanity right then by all means waste your money there. Sure is a heck of a lot cheaper to make the stuff yourself if you need it.
Also forgot to mention that you also need to factor in the $3.00+ per gallon you give the middle east when you go get it.
Seems like a no brainer to me.. :-/
Instant Ocean mix for me!

 

I've had good luck using Tropic Marin in my 50 gallon mixed tank with mostly SPS. Currently I only do water changes every 2 weeks and have not been adding anything supplements. There is a Reef Tek ca reactor waiting to be hooked up when I feel the need. Hope this helps.

 

Hey otty, well "supposedly", my LFS gets the water straight from the ocean. I have seen the tanker truck pumping the water into their holding tanks. My LFS sells the sw for .50 a gal

 

lunatik_69 here ya go this was a pretty recent poll...

I use instant ocean, I tried another brand and wasn't happy with it, things seem to go down hill. they didn't like it

http://www.3reef.com/forums/salt/salt-mix-survey-32419.html

 

I would still wonder what is in the water. If they are getting it a couple of miles out then it should be ok but if they are getting it near the coast I would be worried. There are a lot of contamanents near the shore. Oil run off from parking lots, fertalizer from yards...etc.
Might want to keep that in mind!

 

I dont see how any of these corals would want to live in Jersey Salt Water.

I also use Tropic Marin and have nothing to compare it to. But the way I see it, RO costs me .39 a gallon, and salt RO costs me .89 a gallon.

Since the $21 box of Tropic Marin makes 50 gallons, well, let's do the Math...

TropMarin = $21.00
.39 x 50 gallons = $19.50
______
$40.50 (cost for 50 gallons of Tropic Marin RO water)

.89 x 50gallons = $44.50 (cost for 50 gallons of LFS RO salt water)

So, not only does mixing my own salt save me $4 per 50 gallons, I am using a PREMIUM salt (you know the LFS uses garbage salt). Plus, I control the SG. What happens if I get home and test the water and the SG is 1.019??? I HAVE TO ADD SALT ANYWAY!!! OR, if it is high, now I need more RO to dilute the water and lower the SG.

DIY is always going to be cheapest, while also giving you the most control and the best possible product. To take it a step further, in the long run, buying an RO converter for your tap AND adding the salt yourself would be even cheaper (over time).

I only have a 14 gal bio cube but as soon as I buy a larger reef tank I am buying the RO kit.

 

Well then.... Im going to try a salt mix at my next water change. I already have a ro unit so for me all I need is to buy the salt mix. I guess I never used a salt mix only b/c of the hassle of mixing and waiting and measuring the salt level. But I see that all salt mixes come with everything that you need(chemistry) which might eliminate alot, if not all, the additives I buy. So far there are two that I like, Insant Ocean and Tropic Marin. Lets see and Ill get back to you guys. Thanks Luna

 

I've tried a few salts and this is what I have found
IO- low CA, ALK, MAG but stable so with a little tweaking works well (Good Price)
KENT - Very dirty a lot of dirt sediment also low on ALK again works well if you tweak (Good Price)
OceanPure and OP PRO - very inconsistent need to test each bag and tweak accordingly (Very inexpensive)
Tropic Marin Pro - Very stable Great reading (Expensive)

J

 

Well I recall My Old Pop mixing up salts when I was a tadpole in the 50's then about the early 60's he and others hit upon a new formula as the first would kill aptasias after a few weeks.. Then I think what all the old timers used to mix then it was called the Dutch mixture or some crap like that it works maybe Holland mixture ? It did very well and many think it was the bases for the first Instant oceans mixture ??? But pop went to I/O about th mid 60's and thats all I ever used until this last yr.

The place I work at we have it formulated per what the Boss wanted and we pay 300.00 per pallet to have it certified and assayed foe elemental content.. Now this being said they used to do weekly water changes of a 500 gal's ....I stopped that in Jan. when I took over the growing /propagation of the business .. We now get better polyp extension and coloration and growth rates .. I have change about 500 gallons total in the last yr .. We still have 95% of the last shipment of salt.. We are thinking about selling it to the public. Not sure about that yet ? I'd use it over I/O next time I set up a tank.. But out ca reactors add all we need for elements I only does strontium .. thats it here at home and at the shop..