Done with Reef Crystals

[lastlight]

My new water is testing at 11+ dKH and the resultant Alk swings when I add to my tank are not cool. The SPS don't react well and the act of doing a water change feels like it kills any momentum I've got with growth.

I'm considering the Aquavitro Salinity. It claims to mix 225g at 1.025 whereas it's a well known fact that a bucket of RC only makes 160G at 1.021. I'm thinking cost-wise it might even be close between the two considering this.

Sound like a good move? Open to other suggestions.

I was happy with Fritz RPM but I'm tired of having to hunt for my salt. I want something readily available.

[lastlight]

Actually it's super close before you even factor in the concentrations. If we gave RC the benefit of the doubt and assume it makes 160G (at 1.025 like the Salinity) we get:

225g/$110 = $0.49/gallon
160g/$70 = $0.44/gallon

Factor in the large amount you need to adjust for to bring the RC to 1.025 and it's easily more expensive. Just using prices from Pisces for my comparison.

[mseepman]

You may want to look into Aquaforest salt. I really liked it but found it hard to get where I am. Just recently a store started carrying it and I will be switching the minute I'm out of RC.

[Ryan]

I never liked that aquavitro salt. It is so touchy to mix. It's very dry, so dry it burns if it gets on your hands and this will cause it precipitate very easily if mixed in correctly.

I liked the Fritz salt in established tanks but it isnt any good for people starting out (unless they fixed the high alk issue).

You best bet is to not worry about how much salt actually comes in a bucket or the cost. Find a salt that mixes the closest to the parameters in your tank and use that. Or change your parameters to match the salt.

[gregzz4]

I have the same complaint you do with IO Regular

If you can get your hands on it;
I've used Red Sea Blue Bucket and the listed parameters were true in 2 buckets.
Here the cost is about 0.50 before tax for their claimed 175g bucket.
But @ 38.2grams/litre for 35ppt, math tells me the bucket will only yield 152g
So actual cost is around 0.57/g, based on their mixing instructions

Only reason I recommend it is because of their parameters @ 35ppt
No shock to your tank, just your wallet.

https://www.redseafish.com/red-sea-salts/red-sea-salt/

[Scythanith]

I second mseepman, AF reef salt is great and every batch is tested with results viewable online.

[crimper]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I have the same complaint you do with IO Regular

If you can get your hands on it;
I've used Red Sea Blue Bucket and the listed parameters were true in 2 buckets.
Here the cost is about 0.50 before tax for their claimed 175g bucket.
But @ 38.2grams/litre for 35ppt, math tells me the bucket will only yield 152g
So actual cost is around 0.57/g, based on their mixing instructions

Only reason I recommend it is because of their parameters @ 35ppt
No shock to your tank, just your wallet.

https://www.redseafish.com/red-sea-salts/red-sea-salt/

To me salt is salt, however they are not created equal. That is the same sentiment why I switched to the Redsea Blue Bucket due to the high Alk of IO.

I agree with Greg, I never have to deal with the Alk swing during water changes and what's advertised on the bucket is what I get each time. I maintain my Alk Around 7.7 and 8.0.

I've been using this for more than a year now. My acro dominated tank is a testament to that.