Any use Tropic Marin Pro-Reef salt mix?

[danelam]

I've finally almost used the two buckets that came with the second hand setup I bought (Instant Ocean and regular Tropic Marin.) I found I had better results with Tropic Marin, but that may only be because I've learnt more since then and the tank stabilizes with time.

I've been looking into Tropic Marin Pro-Reef. It is expensive, but claims to do alot. I've read some reviews that say it almost negates the need to use additives (currently dose B-Ionic.)

Have any of you had experiences with this salt mix? Or do you have alternative recommendations? (here we go, there'll be a million different answers on this for sure :splitspin - i read the last poll!)

 

[KathyC]

You might find this study interesting if you want to know what is in different salts...

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/36645-salt-study-results.html

Or this recent test by one of our own members who was using the salt you are questioning:

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/37417-salt-mix-tests.html

 

[danelam]

Thanks Kathy. That first link was particularly helpful. So I guess it really isn't worth the extra money for the Tropic Marin Pro Reef...

 

[KathyC]

I thought both of the links were great and applaud Nate for the tests he did on his own. Great info in both.

Yes, very eye opening info in there!

 

[rickytsui]

well i use to use Tropic Marin Pro-Reef . now im using IO and when i mix the water i add a cap full of 2 part in every 15g of new salt water i find it the same and i save some money too cuz what u pay for Tropic Marin Pro-Reef u can get 2 IO just my though

 

[PhoenixOne]

I think i'm gonna ditch the Tropic Marin Pro Reef. I see too many reasons not to keep using it. I love the way it mixes so quickly though. But with todays economy, I just can't bring myself to pay $80 after taxes for salt. I see alot of you using Instant Ocean. As soon as I finish off this last batch, I'll get a bucket and hopefully, I will have smiles like all of you do.:headache:

 

[ZZROCOOL]

I used Tropic Marin and found that the Phosphates of the RODI water and salt were high. I switched to Coral Life at the recommendation of a friend and noticed much less phosphates then the tropic marin. It?s been consistent throughout the batches of water I make. Also the 5-gallon bucket package's the salt in individual bags for 50 gal at a time. So the salt stays dry! And makes measuring for the next water change really easy (I do 50 gal at a time).

 

[boozeman]

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...24-tropic-marin-vs-tropic-marin-pro-reef.html

 

[lfsmarineguy]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/35665-psa-tropic-marin-pro-reef.html

the real difference is in the alk the mag and ca aren't a problem since most of us have to dose it between water changes regardless or use a reactor.

 

[danelam]

that's great info...thanks alot

 

[tommy818]

zzrocool is on the money coralife has the lowest phos.i use coral pro red sea high cal.instant ocean is for fish only.

 

[reeferMILF]

so, chris only brought this up in 2006:http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/19598-has-tm-gone-weiss.html
Glad to see how fast this cutting edge site keeps up with the times.
He didn't feel TM Salt was worth it. Found out TM Pro was only lower in alk for just twice the price of IO/RC (you can sell suckers more "TM Pro" faster than you can sell "TM Low ALK")
He also felt TM A and K elements is something you can find in GNC for 1/4 the price. 2 more years for you to catch that one though.

 

[jhale]

I have switched to coralife on the recommendation of jasonE. his tank had a horrible bryopsis problem. after 2x200 gallon water changes on his 500g tank the algae began to melt away. he was using tropic marin previously.

 

[danelam]

how long have you been using coralife for jonathan?

 

[reeferMILF]

Chris pointed this out in '06. http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/19598-has-tm-gone-weiss.html
Also felt the A&K Elements weren't worth the cost. Can get better results at GNC for far less the cost.
Wow. You guys are fast here. I'll just ask him next time. I'll get a response 2 years in advance.
But TM is worth double the cost because it dissolves MAD fast.

 

[tommy818]

anyone having algae problems should start dripping kalk you will see a major differince

 

[jhale]

TM is loaded with PO4 compared to coralife.

coralife dissolves extremely fast. I gave it a half hour and it was good to go.

Dane, I've not used it long, just one water change so far. this weekend will be the second one.

 

[danelam]

and what did you use previously. Just interested as your tank pics look great

 

[jhale]

I used kent, then reef crystals then IO. I had some problems while using IO, I can't attribute them to the salt. I'll know in a couple of months if coralife is making a difference.

 

[gnatp2]

TM is loaded with PO4 compared to coralife.

coralife dissolves extremely fast. I gave it a half hour and it was good to go.

Dane, I've not used it long, just one water change so far. this weekend will be the second one.

Plus with corallife, you'll end up with a brand new wardrobe! They should start sending in coralife jeans, socks, hats with their salt.