Red Sea Salt.

[Secondgen]

Anyone ever use Red Sea brand salt? I just read that they use natural sea salt that sounded kind of interesting. Thought about trying it , but thought I would ask first. All opinions welcome.

[Joel]

I have used it on and off for several years and had no problems with it at all.

Joel

[REDPYRO]

get the reef cyrstals

[scott wilson]

Red sea salt is formulated for RO water.  That is the trick to getting high enough calcium levels out of your sea salt.  The other brands typically give your TAP water a credit of 100-150 for your source water calcium level.  If you use RO with IO you will know what I am taking about ,you have to add calcium.  That is because IO is formulated for tap water.  This is Red Seas big marketing point.

Since I do not use RO and My calcium levels in my tap water are high I precipitate enough calcium into my salt water Trash can as it is, so I have never thought to use Red Sea.  Just more chalk dust to clean out of my trash can.

Scott

[Secondgen]

Thanks Scott that really clears things up. I to use tap water, and IO, but I still need to buy a calcium test kit.

[ohioreef]

I've never had any issues with Ca levels with IO using RO/DI water.

[scott wilson]

Gary:
What is your calcium level in a fresh batch of salt water?

[ohioreef]

I'll have to check it the next time I do a water change, but my tank stays right around 400 with just limewater.

[scott wilson]

exactly you are add ing calcium hydroxide to your tank

[Secondgen]

I have another question for you Scott. Have you ever used Kent Marine Nano Reef part A and B?

[scott wilson]

I have never used that product.  IT is probably a good product.  Honestly Unless you have a real large population of soft coral or defiantly stony coral you should do just fine wit your regular water changes.  But if you are needing to boost your calcium and alkalinity levels, this would be determined after testing your alkalinity and calcium levels.

I am more of a SeaChem fan.  I will dose there Reef Calcium and Reef Complete to raise my calcium levels, just dosing by the milliliter is fine.  I also have used there powders in my make up water, Reef Builder and Reef Advanced Calcium.  I use Reef Plus to add amino acids.

IT sounds complex but is not really that crazy just test your levels and alternate powders in your makeup batches and add the two liquids as needed to maintain CA and alk add your amino acid as needed once or so a week.  If you have a skimmer Reef Plus will make it go crazy so you want to turn it of for an hour or so after dosing.

http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/ReefBuilder.html
http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/ReefCalcium.html
http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/ReefCalcium.html
http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/ReefPlus.html
http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/ReefAdvCalcium.html

Scott

[ohioreef]

exactly you are add ing calcium hydroxide to your tank

My understanding has been that limewater is good for maintaining existing levels but not very good for raising the levels. I was thinking that my levels must be fine going in and the limewater is maintaining it.

I'll try to remember to check it the next time I make a batch of water.

[marinelife]

This is a great salt study that is still on going. They tested the tops salts and here are the results
Part 1
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/11/aafeature1
Part 2
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1

[Secondgen]

Thanks for the information, and great articles to. From the results I will probably just stick with IO.