I am considering switching from instant ocean orange bucket to Aquaforest Reef Salt for my system. I’ve heard consistently positive feedback about this salt from other reef keepers online, including its clean mix, stable parameters, and overall reliability. If anyone here has experience using Aquaforest Reef Salt, I would appreciate your input or any feedback before I make the switch.
Thinking about switching salt
- Thread starter mac96
- Start date
Thank you
FinalPhaze987
Supporting Member
I use AF reefsalt and have found it fine. I test alk when doing water changes to avoid swings and find them to be pretty consistent at 8 DKH when mixed to 1.026 with the TM hydrometer.
It lacks vanadium, selenium, flouride, and bromine, so If traces matter heavily to you, know you'll have to dose this before hand. The fact that they provide ICP results by each batch is a plus. After submitting an ATI ICP for freshly mixed water and comparing it to the results, I found the results to be pretty similar to the batch numbers they provide.
For a LPS or mixed reef it should be fine.
It lacks vanadium, selenium, flouride, and bromine, so If traces matter heavily to you, know you'll have to dose this before hand. The fact that they provide ICP results by each batch is a plus. After submitting an ATI ICP for freshly mixed water and comparing it to the results, I found the results to be pretty similar to the batch numbers they provide.
For a LPS or mixed reef it should be fine.
Last edited:
FinalPhaze987
Supporting Member
One other thing to note is that this salt is super fine. It mixes well and clean, but if pouring it into a dry bucket of scooping it out, watch those clouds..my eyes learned the hard way.
Out of the mixes I've tried: HW Wein, Tropic Marin Pro, RPM blue, & Nyos...AF has one of the cleanest mixing next to TMP
Out of the mixes I've tried: HW Wein, Tropic Marin Pro, RPM blue, & Nyos...AF has one of the cleanest mixing next to TMP
SupraSaltyReefer
Supporting Member
I made the switch from Instant Ocean Purple to Tropic Marin Pro because I was tired of the brown crap build up in my Brute can. Also for the higher trace elements. Love that it mixes clear and I can use it in about 30min. I don’t even have to heat my salt mix.
I still have 5 boxes of TMP 160g mix for sale if you decide to jump over to TMP. L
I still have 5 boxes of TMP 160g mix for sale if you decide to jump over to TMP. L
Alexander1312
Supporting Member
I believe there are two broad considerations when selecting a salt:
1. Quality of the salt (production) - often indicated by 'instant' mixing capability
2. Target parameters of the salt
For quality, I would only select salt produced by Tropic Marin, which includes the one John stated, or Fauna Marin (less widely known but also made by Tropic Marin). They had a big scandal some time ago regarding quality after being in the business for decades but have learned their lesson.
For target parameters, I would determine what you believe is what you want in your tank. Looks like some of the AF salt variants have higher dKH, higher MAG, and higher CA than typically considered desirable range, while others have far lower values. This can be useful in certain circumstances but depends, and I personally would not select that. I was not able to find the standard AF salt parameters, so if you do, please post here.
Of course, AF is distributed by BRS, so you can expect many positive reviews on R2R, etc.
.
Another aspect is price and availability. Both Tropic Marin and FM salts are probably the most expensive salts, and not all tanks need that. AF reef salt (standard salt variant) seems similarly priced as FM and, if TM salt is on sale, AF seems to be available on chewy.com too, which makes this a + in terms of availability.
In summary, unless AF salt offers a unique trace spectrum which you would like to aim for, I do not see any benefits going with this salt unless you get a good deal or the Tropic Marin or Fauna Marin salts are not available.
1. Quality of the salt (production) - often indicated by 'instant' mixing capability
2. Target parameters of the salt
For quality, I would only select salt produced by Tropic Marin, which includes the one John stated, or Fauna Marin (less widely known but also made by Tropic Marin). They had a big scandal some time ago regarding quality after being in the business for decades but have learned their lesson.
For target parameters, I would determine what you believe is what you want in your tank. Looks like some of the AF salt variants have higher dKH, higher MAG, and higher CA than typically considered desirable range, while others have far lower values. This can be useful in certain circumstances but depends, and I personally would not select that. I was not able to find the standard AF salt parameters, so if you do, please post here.
Of course, AF is distributed by BRS, so you can expect many positive reviews on R2R, etc.
.Another aspect is price and availability. Both Tropic Marin and FM salts are probably the most expensive salts, and not all tanks need that. AF reef salt (standard salt variant) seems similarly priced as FM and, if TM salt is on sale, AF seems to be available on chewy.com too, which makes this a + in terms of availability.
In summary, unless AF salt offers a unique trace spectrum which you would like to aim for, I do not see any benefits going with this salt unless you get a good deal or the Tropic Marin or Fauna Marin salts are not available.
FinalPhaze987
Supporting Member
FWIW there have been MANY successful reefs maintained with the good old IO. POTO uses IO and they achieve colors i strive for.
Even the best salt in the world (whatever it may be) couldn't hold a candle to good husbandry and knowing your system.
As long as you find the one that fits your needs and is consistent, at end of the day we all purchase it for the NaCl
Even the best salt in the world (whatever it may be) couldn't hold a candle to good husbandry and knowing your system.
As long as you find the one that fits your needs and is consistent, at end of the day we all purchase it for the NaCl
Thanks for the detailed info. Good to know your alk is stable and the mix is clean. I’ll watch out for the missing traces and the fine dust. Appreciate it!
Thanks for sharing your experience. That brown buildup from Instant Ocean is exactly why I’m trying to move away from it I’m constantly having to clean my mixing container. I’m still deciding which salt to switch to you guys gave me other option to think about, but if I end up going with Tropic Marin Pro I’ll definitely let you know about those boxes you have for sale. Appreciate the info!
Thanks for the detailed breakdown really helpful. I’m mainly looking to switch because Instant Ocean keeps leaving that brown residue in my mixing container, and I’m tired of constantly cleaning it. And From what I’ve seen online, that it mixes very clean, dissolves fast, and can help bring out good color in corals. I’m still comparing parameters and quality before making the jump, but I’ll dig deeper into the exact AF Reef Salt numbers. I appreciate the insight on Tropic Marin and Fauna Marin too definitely keeping those in mind while I decide. Thanks again for the solid info.I believe there are two broad considerations when selecting a salt:
1. Quality of the salt (production) - often indicated by 'instant' mixing capability
2. Target parameters of the salt
For quality, I would only select salt produced by Tropic Marin, which includes the one John stated, or Fauna Marin (less widely known but also made by Tropic Marin). They had a big scandal some time ago regarding quality after being in the business for decades but have learned their lesson.
For target parameters, I would determine what you believe is what you want in your tank. Looks like some of the AF salt variants have higher dKH, higher MAG, and higher CA than typically considered desirable range, while others have far lower values. This can be useful in certain circumstances but depends, and I personally would not select that. I was not able to find the standard AF salt parameters, so if you do, please post here.
Of course, AF is distributed by BRS, so you can expect many positive reviews on R2R, etc.
Another aspect is price and availability. Both Tropic Marin and FM salts are probably the most expensive salts, and not all tanks need that. AF reef salt (standard salt variant) seems similarly priced as FM and, if TM salt is on sale, AF seems to be available on chewy.com too, which makes this a + in terms of availability.
In summary, unless AF salt offers a unique trace spectrum which you would like to aim for, I do not see any benefits going with this salt unless you get a good deal or the Tropic Marin or Fauna Marin salts are not available.
newfly
Supporting Member
Didn’t realize AF lacks Flouride. I was wondering why my flouride is low . Good to know.
I have not cleaned my mixing container ever (2.5 years). What problems are you having with the brown stuff?
It's harmless based on what i've read and heard on podcasts. It's an anti-caking agent - which prevents the salt from turning into bricks. I also have some AF salt sitting around, and it's turned into one giant, solid block. Which is pretty annoying - not looking forward to getting into that. I buy whatever salt is on sale and have used them all pretty much, and never noticed any different in my tank, FWIW.
That’s good to hear, and that’s exactly why I made this post. I haven’t been in the hobby as long as many of you, so I really want to hear from people who have tried different salts and actually seen a difference. If you’ve used a bunch of salt mixes and never noticed any change in your tank, then what’s the point of switching, right? And if that anti-caking agent helps keep the salt from turning into bricks, The last box of Instant Ocean I bought was already solid bricks before I even opened the bags, but that happened only once idk if it was an old box .
You will get a LOT of different opinions about salt, many are in this thread. Some folks are almost religious about it, and I'm not saying they are wrong. Only sharing my own experience. I have used TM, FM, IO, IO:RC, AF, Fritz, both Red Sea. I have at least 4 of these in my garage right now. I have even switched salts from to another without any kind of transition period. Not once have I ever noticed any kind of issue.
I can also tell you Jason Fox and many other well known farmers and successful reefers and public aquariums use IO and have used IO for a long time, simply because it's cheap and it works. That is another reason I don't worry too much about salt or the brown stuff that results from using IO.
I have a fairly successful SPS tank that's 225g (link to my journal in my sig below), and do monthly ICP testing - so I do keep a pretty close eye on most parameters.
Again, not looking to start a big debate - YMMV, of course. I do acknowledge that using a quality salt is important - it's the lifeblood of the system. I am just saying that there are a lot of quality salts to choose from that clearly deliver some very successful tanks and results - including Instant Ocean.
H2OPlayar
Supporting Member
Depending on your system size, I have different recommendations. Over 100 gallons and if you dose everything, then I would stick with IO and rely on your dosing for the stuff you want in the salt mix. Smaller tank, relying on salt mix, then it matters a little more, but not that much imo.
Also, I have never owned a mixing container. I take from my big tank and put into my small tank if I want to do a water change, then I let the salt mix in my big tank to refill it.
Also, I have never owned a mixing container. I take from my big tank and put into my small tank if I want to do a water change, then I let the salt mix in my big tank to refill it.