Salt Salt Salt

[Ruth]

I need some advise. When I set up my 230g close in January I started out using a brand of salt called Formula. It is a Japanese salt that the LFS that I got my system from assured me was going to be easily available and become more and more popular in North America. I am happy with the salt - it tests good every time I test my change water and my tank has been doing very well with levels staying up and consistant. Well you guessed it - the guy that was bringing it in has decided he no longer wants to deal with it - I think he ran into some trouble with a long strike at the Vancouver port and not being able to get supplies etc. Sooooooooo......I have enough salt on hand for probably the next 4 or 5 months (where I live you have to stock up when you get to the city) but looks like I will be changing salt brands. I had a disaster a couple of years ago with a bad batch of IO (which they compensated me for) but I personally will never use again. Can someone recommend a good salt mix that works well with the Zeo system and - here's the kicker - is available in western Canada. The weight of salt just makes it too expensive to ship very far. I would love to try Tropic Marin but have been unable to find anyone close that stocks it. I am getting so close to setting up my new Zeo tank and would like to get a proven salt mix from the beginning. Thanks.

Ruth

[moonpod]

I dunno if Oceanpure is "zeocompatible", but it's cheap and has good numbers.

[fkadir]

Ruth, do you have access to AquaMedic Reef Salt? Thats a proven salt too.

[kiwireefer]

Ruth, what problems did you with IO salt ?

Regards from "Down Under"

Brendan Zeovit Agent New Zealand Australia

[Ruth]

Moonpod I have never seen that brand up here or fkadir neither have I seen the aquamedic. The most common brands are the Kent Reef Crystals and IO. Kiwi apparently IO had a bad batch of salt go out a couple of years ago. If I remember correctly it was the Alk. that was out of control (that was in the days when I didn't test my change water - now I test with every box or bucket that I open) I do know that I lost about $2000 of coral and fish and heard that they reimbursed quite a few people including me for our losses. I know that lots and lots of people use IO but I am just not willing to again.

[gqjeff]

Ruth, seachem has a new reef salt out also.. I have been using it for the past 2.5 months and I love it.. I add a little CA to it and thats about it... My CA RX keeps everything else inline.. I use MG granulate in my CA RX also so I never have to add that either.. dKH is usually right on for zeovit aswell... I mix it to 1.025 and have been more then happy... Here is a link to the salt and you may also try to give seachem a call and see if they have a distributor in your area... http://www.seachem.com/products/prod...eefSalt05.html

Peace, Jeff

[GTR]

Ruth... I think just about any salt in your case will be fine. You'll just need to test it and make any upwards corrections for kh, ca and mg. I still find Oceanic to meet my needs but I'd also consider Kent a fine choice for the price.
In your case I think most salt mixes on the market would be cost effective even if you hade to supplement kh and ca. Raising mg on the other hand can be costly so that's really what I'd look at.
Can you find out from your source what options you might have via a special order they could place for you to come in with a stocking order?

SteveU

[Ruth]

Thanks so much for all the replies. I have sent a e-mail to seachem so will see what they have to say. It is looking like I will have to go with the Kent Reef Chrystals which makes me a bit nervous as I am pretty sure it is the same company that makes IO. Believe me I will be testing every bucket!!!!
Now I know I couldn't talk any of you guys into making a trip to Alaska and just happening to stop off at my place on the way by to help me drill and plumb my tank but maybe someone might do it with a pallet of Tropic Marin salt???? Any takers....... It's nice here this time of year! Heck Heinz wouldn't even drive a measly 16-20 hrs. to give me a hand. LOL Just Kidding!

[Heinz]

Heck Heinz wouldn't even drive a measly 16-20 hrs. to give me a hand. LOL Just Kidding!

well, it all depence on the offer

[Ruth]

Ha Ha! I knew I could get a rely from you Heinz. Well the guy that was supposed to plumb my tank still has not shown up??????? So let's see - I live on 30 acres of wooded property in a log house with a nice log guest cabin (have to fix the window that my son broke kicking a soccer ball). It's hunting season - the Northern Rockies - great fishing and............drum roll please..........you get to plumb my tank, hook up my BK 400 ext. that is supposed to be here this week as well as my zeo reactor (Scott??) and bring me a pallet of salt!! Sheesh I'm surprised there isn't a line up.

[Heinz]

Sheesh I'm surprised there isn't a line up.

yea, i can't believe it either, what the hell is going on

[Ruth]

Go figure???? Heinz what kind of salt do you use and where do you get if from?

[Heinz]

Manitoba, as far i know, is only http://www.saltwaterconnection.com/ in Winnipeg, Jason is his name,

[Ruth]

So I assume IO as that is all I saw on that site?

[Heinz]

http://www.seachem.com/home/home.html
http://www.seachem.com/products/prod...eefSalt05.html