Ordering my saltwater stuff... what salt?

BlueAbyss · #1 05-07-2009, 09:08 PM

Hey everyone, I'm finally filling a tank with saltwater, ordering the salt and some other stuff (a refractometer etc.) as we speak... but I'm at an impasse. I have 3 options for salt, prices CDN:

Seachem Reef Salt 54.95
D-D H2Ocean Pro Plus 79.95
Reefer's Best Coral Reef Salt 89.95

I'm leaning towards the D-D H2Ocean Pro Plus, but wanted to know what other more experienced people thought. I've thought about it myself, wondering why I don't just go with Instant Ocean, but I feel that since I want to keep my levels up for corals from the start I should go with a higher-end product.

parkinsn · #2 05-07-2009, 09:42 PM

I would go with the DD or RB, both of these salts are good although i have heard recently that the RB has been inconsistent lately..... not sure if there is any truth to that or not. I was having this debate myself recently and decided to go with the DD. Hope that helps you.

Pazil · #3 05-07-2009, 09:45 PM

I have only been using H2 for my latest tank and have had great results.

Rbacchiega · #4 05-07-2009, 09:48 PM

+1 for h2Ocean....rediculous growth and great readings right out of the pail.

banditpowdercoat · #5 05-07-2009, 09:48 PM

I tried the more expensive salts. Still was topping up levels. Worked out to be MORE expensive. I think Myka did a price comao with toping up Salts with the expensive Liquid supplements. Even using Liquid, IO took $19/pail for supplements. That makes a bucket $63. Still need to supplement the expensive brands. So, wheres the gain?

BlueAbyss · #6 05-07-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

I tried the more expensive salts. Still was topping up levels. Worked out to be MORE expensive. I think Myka did a price comao with toping up Salts with the expensive Liquid supplements. Even using Liquid, IO took $19/pail for supplements. That makes a bucket $63. Still need to supplement the expensive brands. So, wheres the gain?

Good point, but I don't plan on topping up those levels until I get up to the SPS point. So, keeping that in mind, I think I'll go with H2Ocean. Thanks guys!

Trigger Man · #7 05-08-2009, 03:24 AM

Good call on the H2Ocean, i've been using it since October/November and seen good results.

Myka · #8 05-08-2009, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

I tried the more expensive salts. Still was topping up levels. Worked out to be MORE expensive. I think Myka did a price comao with toping up Salts with the expensive Liquid supplements. Even using Liquid, IO took $19/pail for supplements. That makes a bucket $63. Still need to supplement the expensive brands. So, wheres the gain?

Yep. I have been using IO since 1992(ish). I've tried more expensive salts, but I have never noticed a difference in the inhabitants, so I always go back to my beloved IO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

Good point, but I don't plan on topping up those levels until I get up to the SPS point. So, keeping that in mind, I think I'll go with H2Ocean. Thanks guys!

Are you sticking to SPS only? Fyi, LPS also need to be supplemented. You will still have the supplement the D-D.

Now if only I could find that reference to a study someone did on the different salts, what the actual levels were tested at.

D-D is the only "expensive" salt on the market that I have even remotely considered trying out in the last few years. The reason is because it is made from natural sea salt. However, this may be good or it may be bad...makes me wonder what contaminants may be in there from pollution and the likes.

BlueAbyss · #9 05-08-2009, 06:24 AM

No, I'm heading in a mixed reef direction, but I want my levels to be decent at the time when I actually go down the coral road. I just don't want a horror story with cheap salt, and I don't want to have to bring levels up to NSW conditions. Since all (ALL!) of my saltwater equipment and supplies have to come from the internet (there is no LFS that caters to saltwater within about a 5 hour drive... but that 5 hour drive will get me to your new home, Myka... how's Saskatoon treating you, by the way?), I just want things to be nice and stable from the start.

Myka · #10 05-08-2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

No, I'm heading in a mixed reef direction, but I want my levels to be decent at the time when I actually go down the coral road. I just don't want a horror story with cheap salt, and I don't want to have to bring levels up to NSW conditions. Since all (ALL!) of my saltwater equipment and supplies have to come from the internet (there is no LFS that caters to saltwater within about a 5 hour drive... but that 5 hour drive will get me to your new home, Myka... how's Saskatoon treating you, by the way?), I just want things to be nice and stable from the start.

Pfff, freakin IO is $65 here!!! Unless I have yet to find the oasis?? I brought 2 buckets from the Okanagan with me since it's only $45 there. Other than expensive fish supplies, life is good here! Thanks for asking! When you come into town let me know we should go for coffee or something. Maybe I will have my tank running by then...lol

I wanted to check that analysis that someone did on the salts because I seem to remember that none of the salts had all three primary elements (cal, alk, mag) at NSW levels. I'm pretty sure you have to adjust D-D too. Grr...I can't remember for sure though. Honestly though, I wouldn't waste my money on "designer" salt...I would save it for a bulk order of GFO.

Speaking of which...I'm out of GFO. Thanks for reminding me self. Oi, I need to go to bed. (Omg, I just typed "work" instead of "bed") Stressful at the new job... Haha!!!