Reef crystals or just sea salt?

[thezar77]

I have a FOWLR and I have been using reef crystals. I was wondering is it better to use that or can I use regular sea salt? Like I said no corals just fish,shrimp,crabs and snails. Thanks.

 

[andylee]

What do you mean by regular sea salt? I think any salt mix made for saltwater aquaria should be fine.

 

[KathyC]

Sea Salt? Like you get in the supermarket? Absolutely not.


You need to use a brand name salt made for SW aquariums..if you have a FO tank, you can skip the ones that have the word 'reef' in the title, but it must be SW aquarium salt like..ESV, Red Sea, Reef Crystals, etc.

 

[edd]

i have a reef and use regular instant ocean mix. i don't think you need reef chrystals.

 

[ohana888]

reef crystals is usually for higher calcium demanding livestock - sps, lps, CUC, shrimps, macro, etc...

 

[thezar77]

I do have a cleaner and peppermint shrimp. I plan on getting a blood red shrimp. And I didn't think anyone would think I meant salt from a supermarket. Anyway thanks for the advice.

 

[ohana888]

I do have a cleaner and peppermint shrimp. I plan on getting a blood red shrimp. And I didn't think anyone would think I meant salt from a supermarket. Anyway thanks for the advice.

instant ocean is fine or whatever you find as a cheaper substitute. for me, the beauty of FOWLR was less water changes. a 200G box lasted for more than a year on my 168G.

 

[lnevo]

I do have a cleaner and peppermint shrimp. I plan on getting a blood red shrimp. And I didn't think anyone would think I meant salt from a supermarket. Anyway thanks for the advice.

You'd be surprised..,

 

[ryeguyy]

I'd go instant ocean, do you get a brown film when you use RC?

 

[thezar77]

No never got a brown film.

 

[Brando457]

I run a 180 g fowlr w/ 75g sump and 40g fuge, definitely just use instant ocean.

 

[2reefs]

No film using IO. I used both regular and reef crystals on my reef. From my experience if you are going to be dosing supplements then you are just paying more for the reef crystals for no reason.

 

[lnevo]

No film using IO. I used both regular and reef crystals on my reef. From my experience if you are going to be dosing supplements then you are just paying more for the reef crystals for no reason.

True on no film? I've heard both IO products get that...been considering switching because I dose and dont get the high alk/cal RC is supposed to get anyway..

 

[oh207]

Both products have the binding agent that leaves the brown residue. You have to mix for extended period of time for it to appear. Usually 24hrs for me and it appears. If you mix for 3-6hrs then it doesn't appear.
Personally I rather it appears in my mixing container where I can wash it off rather than in my reef yank.

 

[oh207]

BTW, I too read the OP literally as using sea salt vs aquarium salt. There is a difference.

 

[mrdobie]

I get the brown slime in my 20 gollon mixing bucket. Thats a binder they use. Have asked a couple of people an all say no big deal. And will not hurt any thing.

 

[lnevo]

It can hurt your mixing pump long term...its just messy and if you didnt have it it would be nicer