Salt mix dilemma: IO or Kent?

[mrhasan]

Well sorry to open up another thread regarding the saltmix but I got confused whether to buy IO or kent for my reef tank. They are just $10 difference so I am thinking whether getting kent would worth the extra $10 or should I stick to IO?

[subman]

I've been using IO for years works fine for me

[mrhasan]

Yah I am using IO right now. I see people say that calcium is below 400ppm with IO but mine always read 440ppm with new mix. And since I am getting towards LPS in my tank and not willing to dose, I was thinking whether kent would be a better option since it has higher calcium, magnesium. Or else I will just stick to IO

[Flash]

i've always used IO. no issues..... but again... i smell a salt debate coming!

[mrhasan]

Looking forward to it

Last one I started was between IO and RC ($20 difference). Now I have started it between IO and Kent ($10 difference).

[jorjef]

They are both the same salt different packages. It is distributed by global giant SSDP Salt Inc. They pretty much have the market cornered on marine salt. don't be fooled.

[mrhasan]

Aha I see.

Someone reported this with kent salt:

Specific Gravity: 1.024 - 1.026
pH: 8.2 to 8.3
Calcium: 550 to 575 ppm
Magnesium: 1,350 to 1,450 ppm

I though people try to keep calcium level around 450ppm but this salt give 550ppm+. Is that too much? This figure is actually making me rethink about kent and get IO.

[Flash]

nopw ask if it was read after he rolled the new buckets around or not?!

[jorjef]

oh ya stay away stay away 550 way too high

[mrhasan]

Got it from an old thread :P