KevinB Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 What's the cheapest per gal (but not through the roof in silicates, etc) source for salt in the area? I'd like to get some tonight or tomorrow. How do the local stores compare to each other? Anyone have some they want to sell? I need enough to make 90g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 I'm partial to Red Sea Coral Pro. I get mine at RCA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 I use coralife salt from RCA its a tad cheaper but also a tad smaller than the red sea pro that robb uses...... not sure whats diffrent between them But since I have a small tank these buckets last me a good while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I personally use Red Sea coral pro. It can be had for around 55$ or so for a bucket that mixes up 175gal. RCA sells RODI water for .25/gal or 1$/5gal, they also have pre-mixed saltwater for 1$/gal for Instant Ocean, and $1.50/gal for Tropic Marin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 It's probably about time to have another salt group buy. Any of our LFS sponsors want to run one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 It's probably about time to have another salt group buy. Any of our LFS sponsors want to run one? Just picked some up from Aquatek today since its close by my work. Maybe I'll get in on one next time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 It's probably about time to have another salt group buy. Any of our LFS sponsors want to run one? Just picked up salt at the RCA holiday sale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnEdwards Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 It's probably about time to have another salt group buy. Any of our LFS sponsors want to run one? Just picked up salt at the RCA holiday sale I really wish I hadn't decided to finally set up my tank a week after their sale! Seriously though, the guys at RCA have been super great -- I've bought all my water from them so far. Does anyone know the difference between the 1 dollar water and the 1.50 water though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapsAzN Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Unless it's changed since six months or so ago, the $1/gallon saltwater is made with instant ocean mix and the $1.50/gallon is made with tropic marin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnEdwards Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Unless it's changed since six months or so ago, the $1/gallon saltwater is made with instant ocean mix and the $1.50/gallon is made with tropic marin. Why is tropic marin better than instant ocean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 Unless it's changed since six months or so ago, the $1/gallon saltwater is made with instant ocean mix and the $1.50/gallon is made with tropic marin. Why is tropic marin better than instant ocean? I recently saw a post in another forum where someone did an analysis of the different salt mixes out there, and Instant Ocean seemed like it had more phosphates, silicates, ammonia, etc. It seems like its just poorer quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsea Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Unless it's changed since six months or so ago, the $1/gallon saltwater is made with instant ocean mix and the $1.50/gallon is made with tropic marin. Why is tropic marin better than instant ocean? Lynn, It depends on who you talk to. I use Instant Ocean as do most public aquaria. In my opinion, the extra price for these salts is unwarranted. No matter what quality salt goes in, biological process in our system require nutriant controls. I prefer to use Natural Nitrate removal systems and not worry about what is in the water. Yes, I run a high hutriant system and it works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99taws6 Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I use instant ocean myself but once I get back into corals I'll go with a better salt as they have more trace elements in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unimike Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 It's probably about time to have another salt group buy. Any of our LFS sponsors want to run one? I would join, I am due to restock some salts. I am down to last bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaJohn Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 With just setting up your tank the cheep stuff is perfect. After the tank has been up 6 months if you start adding alot of large coral that have hard body structures you might want to switch to a higer grade saltmix But its definatly not needed unless you are trying to get an over the top tank. But if you only have a few zoe a few fish stay with the cheep stuff its all you really need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoggyDollar Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 I like this idea. I wonder if we can all time our salt needs to every 6 months or so and have a large salt mix group buy! Someone get on this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManImTheMan Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 (edited) Tropic Marin pre mixed from RCA for me and I have tested with my TDS meter. RCA is only store that can get 000ppm. eveyone else is above 100ppm. and if under 40g pre mixed isnt to much depending how much u do w. changes. (i do once a month on 30g) Edited December 31, 2011 by ManImTheMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 If you are reading 000ppm on Mixed salt water, then there is a problem with your meter.. Never measure mixed salt water with a TDS, only RO/DI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 I've been using Instant Ocean since I started. I've tried some of the other brands over the years but didn't notice any difference in my tanks and have always gone back. I also have never bothered with using a TDS meter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 If you are reading 000ppm on Mixed salt water, then there is a problem with your meter.. Never measure mixed salt water with a TDS, only RO/DI. ^ +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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