For those that don't like clicking on links
Here is RB's excellent part of the review that explains the difference from other salts
Tropic Marin did something completely different when it launched their Bio Actif system, and more specifically when they launched their new salt. They added something that is usually left out in most salt. Organic Compounds. A book by Sorokin on Coral Reef Ecology states on page 66 that content of reef water in organic C is around 1 to 3 ppm. If the natural reefs of the world have a range of organics why wouldn’t we put them in our man-made glass reef houses?
Chemist and Guru Hans-Werner is the man behind the salt. He works for Tropic Marin and was able to sit down and help us explain why this salt differs from other salts. He tells us that organic substances are an important component of natural seawater, especially over reefs, a saltwater within these organic substances should be closer to natural conditions than a saltwater without organics. Organic substances can alter the solubility and bioavailability of trace elements and can even achieve a codegradation of refractive organic substances like yellow substances and organic toxins.
Organic compounds that you might be familiar with could include Vodka, vinegar, sugar or vitamin C. We don’t know what specific organic compound is being added to the Bio Actif salt, but we would assume its one of the above. The salt creates more hydrophobic compounds and bacteria then traditional salts which increases the load of your protein skimmer. You shouldn’t be using this salt without a decent protein skimmer. The reaction to the skimmer was so impressive in fact its like pouring Sodium lauryl sulfate into running tap water. Not to that extent but hopefully you’ve gotten the point. Run a good protein skimmer
Mixing the salt to its recommended dosage yield the following results when testing the water:
Calcium CA 442 PPM
Magnesium 1348 PPM
8 KH
PH 8.36
Also a quick note: The salt dissolves fast with no residual aftereffects common in some salts.