Salt Mix

[nannochloropsis]

What brand of salt mix do you use and your experience. I'm currently using Biosal but recently was told that it comes from China, so, I'm a little skeptical on the quality standard now.

Sam from Sealife talks so much about Kent Marine and pushing me to buy yesterday but before I part with my hard earned cash, need to find out opinions. I've heard about Tropic Marine and Instant Ocean, so I'm not too sure which one to choose.

[wedgee]

Everyone at Sealife is a top salesman... <_

[Tigger]

I am using Coralife for my fish and LR tank. No complaints so far. Heard some good reviews of Tropic Marin thoug. Anyone with any experiences to share?

[onghm]

I've tried both Coralife and Tropic Marin.

In terms of solubility, Tropic Marin is much much better.

My 2 cents.

[Tanzy]

Same as onghm, I use both. I won't pay extra for Reef Crystals, no visible difference from Instant Ocean.

[nannochloropsis]

Same as onghm, I use both. I won't pay extra for Reef Crystals, no visible difference from Instant Ocean.

I have seen a few LFS selling Tropic Marine but seldom see Instant Ocean. Any idea which LFS selling Reef Crystal? I want to compare prices before deciding.

BTW, any website that you know that do the comparison ?

[TanGo]

One more for Tropic Marin. Should be around $22..

[RMX]

i have mixed saltwater with coralife salt. there for probably 3wks. jus now when i open it, i saw a thin film of scum on the surface. there seems to be some algae growing on the tub wall. some of the green growth also floating on the surface.

guess this makes coralife a really bad salt huh

[robe]

If you're buying salt check if there are any lumps inside the bag. If there, don't buy it as it is likely going to have calcium precipitation when you mix it. Instant ocean, Kent are the two brands that always have this problem . It may be their packaging is not as good or there is a lot of moisture when they bagged the salt.

Kent is good if you get a bag without any trace of lumps.

[newdamsel]

Whenever i mix coralife salt, i do get a small layer of scum on the surface too~! I just use a cup to skim it off... but i think algae growth in the pail after 3 wks will happen to all contained water...

But for the price $18/6.6kg, i think its worth the effort.. is there a cheaper salt?

[kelstorm]

But for the price $18/6.6kg, i think its worth the effort.. is there a cheaper salt?

yes.. i believe so.. like red sea marine salt.. was terrible.. coralife is cheaper.. way much cheaper than tropic marine.. me using them now.. can't really afford tropic marine..

[RMX]

how do u buy nsw from ff? i saw someone buying in plastic bags from pacmarine but seems not very efficient or safe. where to get those jerry cans from?

[harlequin]

Go to Reef Aquarius at Koon Seng Rd. Good source of NSW. They also do delivery if you want to do a large water change.

S$3 per 5 gallon jugs.

[pospeh]

although lots us people seem to swear by Coralife, I dont find it that good because of its non-soluability.

Biosal, in my opinion, is one of the best out there. It melts evenly and quickly, unlike Coralife. I believe it is dug from salt mines rather than evaporated seawater. Because of this, when you mix it, the water actually turns cooler (I don't know why, though), rather than hotter when you mix the other salt mix brands.

[hongqixian]

Biosal is dug up???

Why not just use the scientifically formulated Tropic marin which is not evaporated sw.

[onghm]

Juz to add my 2 cents on comparing the solubility of Tropic Marin and Corallife saltmix.

For Tropic Marin, once mix into water, i normally :-

1) swirl it clockwise (or anticlockwise if your left ball bigger)

2) place hand near center where the salt concentrates and mimic a pulsing xenia or waving hand

3) repeat (1) and (2) for 3 to 4 cycles and u r done

For corallife, after finishing the above, place powerhead and leave overnight.

Day 2 repeat and again leave powerhead overnight.

Day 3, wave and pulse until my f**king hand want to drop already but still see residue......

Advantage is u got a stronger forearm after that

[TanGo]

Juz to add my 2 cents on comparing the solubility of Tropic Marin and Corallife saltmix.

For Tropic Marin, once mix into water, i normally :-

1) swirl it clockwise (or anticlockwise if your left ball bigger)

2) place hand near center where the salt concentrates and mimic a pulsing xenia or waving hand

3) repeat (1) and (2) for 3 to 4 cycles and u r done

For corallife, after finishing the above, place powerhead and leave overnight.

Day 2 repeat and again leave powerhead overnight.

Day 3, wave and pulse until my f**king hand want to drop already but still see residue......

Advantage is u got a stronger forearm after that

hmmm try using an electric egg beater? hehe

[Achilles Tang]

Perhaps it was an old batch of salt?

I just drop my reeftec unit into the saltmix and it'll be dissolved very quickly... no need for stirring!

[mv3i]

just checking where do you guys get your sources for salt and how much ....

easier for reefers here to get the best deal in town ....

right ???

saw a post that was selling for 18 for a 6.6 kg corallife ... so where did you get that, bro ?? <_<

[kelstorm]

daryll,

i get my 20kg of coralife from petmart for $55 i think...

ongmh,

perhaps your salt mix had harden or it could be a old pkt.. i never experience that problem..

[newdamsel]

yes i agree with kelstorm, i use to use wet hands to handle my corallife salt.. and after a wild, they crump together and soon, the solubility problem.... too old it wil also have the same problem....

$18 is at a lfs shop in serangoon... at lck 110, steve quoted $20, but i got it $19 in the end....

[Sinn]

got mine at $22 from aquamart <_

[harlequin]

Coralife salt don't dissolve that easily and plus the PH can drops to below 8.

I am now using Tropic Marin is I need to make synthetic salt mix.

Else i go get NSW which is easier and more instant.

[nannochloropsis]

after much deliberation, I'v decided to still use my remaining Biosal mix to do my water change. Save money to buy more clams and acros.

I did nitrate, PO4 and PH test on the new water mix. Result were pretty good - zero nitrate, zero PO4 and PH is 8.3. Salt dissolved within 20 to 30 min.

[Sinn]

whats the price of the biosal and where u get em ?