puttputt Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 I wonder if any one else is using or has used the crystal sea marinemix salt available at HFF. I have used it since starting my reef tank and have so far haven't had any reason to doult it. However, after reading a few threads on RC and WWM, I'm beginning to wonder. There's alot of negative comments esp. when using it with other salt brands. People have lost corals shortly after using this mix on water changes, mainly sps which is where I'm heading. Really interested to hear any other experiences with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 Like all salt mixes you should leave them overnight before adding to the tank. I have used it and have had no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petplanet Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 Should be good as good. As Reef said it needs mixing overnight. I would mix it up at least a day before and use a powerhead or airstone to move the water. Undissolved salt can do a lot of damage to corals if it lands on them. The pH also takes a while to stabilize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted August 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 Thanks, sounds reassuring. I mix my salt after each water change (Saturdays) so it mixes for a week with a pump and heater going so is crystal clear and warm before I add it. Change 60 litres each week, tank volume over 1000 litres now refugium up and running. My pH sits at 8.2 - 8.4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetskisteve Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 Got the bug bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted August 27, 2005 Report Share Posted August 27, 2005 I am this close | | to changing to ASW! GAAHH! Every time the tides are timed right for me to go get NSW it rains! My poor tank is something like 10 water changes behind because I'm out of water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Just continuing this topic from 6 weeks ago... What other salt mixes do those who use ASW use? I see Jansens sell Instant Ocean but it's bloody expensive ($54 to make 240 litres - thats a single water change tonight for me - hence why I usually stick with NSW) I notice others for sale, like Red Sea brand on Trademe. I've read reviews and see Instant Ocean is one of the better ones. Who sells this in bulk at a better price? At $54 for 240 litres thats 22.5 cents/litre. They also sell bags to make 600 litres for $130 odd. That's 21.6 cents/litre, not a great deal cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted October 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 I'm still using the crystal sea mix that HFF has for $99.00 for 600l. Its a good mix, but from what I've read, it may not mix well with IO, for some reason. I don't doult it as a good salt mix, calcium and mag are good and it mixes very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misnoma Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 I got the 25kg Red Sea Salt tub from HFF (they had it on special) for $129 - worked out to be 17.2something cents/litre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petplanet Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 We do the 20kg Instant Ocean for $119.95 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 now ya tell me Michael I'll come buy from you next time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 i think hff sell red sea for $120 for 25kg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogmatix Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 We trialed the salt in question and the batch we had was holding an NH4 reading of 2.5 after 24-36 hours. Killed a tiger cowrie and we almost lost our Rose BTA :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 I've used mainly red sea salt for the last three years. No problems with it other than mag and alk can be a little low for my liking. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holiday Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 $120 seems to be the standard price for instant ocean (you need to find a new supplier Chimera!) If someone looked at buying in bulk I bet it would drive the price down considerably (this is a hint to a few of you!! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted October 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Dogmatix, which salt are you talking about. If you are referring to the crystal sea salt, I'd seriously check your testing. It is all I've used and never had any ammonia readings since cycling. Don't have any nitrate reading either (salifert) so not being converted to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogmatix Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 The brand was crystal sea/ fourty fathoms. I did retest the results three times with three different brands of test kit that it why we dont sell it, im sure its a better batch now but IMO red sea and instant ocean are far better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogmatix Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 have a look at what these guys have to say http://www.northcoastmarines.com/salt_comparison.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted October 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 these guys have to say this........ "kent sea salt preliminary investigations indicate that this product is very similar to Reef Crystals, which is similar to Instant Ocean.." "Red sea claim having trace elements distributed in a new method concerns experts...The S-15 Report clearly shows this product varies dramatically to the point of defying the mixing procedure employed to produce this item" "Instant Ocean claim of having all elements known to be essential is misleading.......However, the most costly elements are omitted and found only as impurities" These guys seem to rubbish all other salts except the one they sell " Marine Environment dual phase formula" ...a strange article to use Dogmatix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 Looks like I need to buy a trailer and a few 1000L water containers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted October 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 what is the best salt mix???? Alot on Reef Central rave about Tropic Marine Pro reef?. Is this available?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 All the test were done over 5 years ago and the way they are made has changed, so the tests are useless. Salt mixes can be made better by using pure chemicals, but what is the point as it gets too expensive. Best salt?? what ever is the cheapest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 Can't wait to try the KZ salt. I'm sure all those NSW users using Zeo will be switching Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 ooooh yeah, i can't wait to add another $100 a month to my already expensive hobby... not to mention cost of prefilters, RO filter, DI resin and water bill... whats that? how many billion cubic litres of seawater right at my door step? say what? for free? nooo...., and here i was paying a local retailer for a bag of little white granules :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetskisteve Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 the best mix is free....... Hauraki gulf brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.