NeoMarine Reef Salt

[Mando77]

Anyone using this. What are the pros and cons. I am just branching out and want to try something else besides IO and RC salt. I read the online info and it seems nice, but things can be much different once you use the product.

[trockafella]

If it isnt bbroke then there is no need to fix it.. There is a reason some many people and aquariums use those salts... Bc they work and there more cost efficient.

[zygote2k]

Byrnes-

 

I gotta ask why you keep switching salt brands? Have you grown everything there is to grow with one brand and it's failing you? If you're like many of us here, you just stick to one salt brand and adjust the ca and other elements with 2 part or kalk. It doesn't matter which brand you use as long as you do regular weekly water changes. There's no magical salt mix that allows you to not do water changes. People make all sorts of claims as to which salt is better and this salt gives much greater polyp extension yada yada yada. I'd recommend that you stick with I/O or R/C or Tropic Marin. All 3 have been around forever and most public aquariums use one of the 3.

[amay121]

I tried, really, it's not worth the extra money. I'd stick to what you're using now over NeoMarine. It's not going to be a cure all to anything at all.

[khalid]

I have been using it for a while now and love it. Never had any problems with the salt it self in fact i just bought another 3 buckets of it. The only complaint I have is the bucket top is a pain in the @$$ to open.

[tecsavi]

I used it only because that was all the LFS had and I had failed to order my regular Reef Crystals online. When I tested the water made with NeoMarine I found it to be low in Mag. Might have just been a bad batch of salt but that is what I found. I would agree with the others and say stick with one brand of salt if you can. I like Reef Crystals as it's levels are very close to my target levels and is very consistant. Each brand has it's slight differences but basically they are the same in my book. That being said there is a difference between IO and Reef Crystals as Reef Crystals is specifically formulated for reefs. IMO NeoMarine didn't show any benefit over Reef Crystals and wasn't worth the extra cost. Stick with one brand and stay consistant, your corals will appreciate the stability.

[Mando77]

Thanks, Like I said. I like IO and RC, I just want to try something new. I have a small set up so I don't mind spending a little more money. There are lots of brands to choose from. I get bored easily and am very curious to try stuff. I don't think salt is salt, I have tried some brands that were bad. There are some newer products that look nice and I just want to see if they make a difference. The main reason I decided to change was because of some WAMAS and store people telling me Tropic Marin Reef Pro was far better and that it brought out more color in coral. Well I bought a bucket of TM and took it back because it was caked on top. I don't understand how they can charge you that kind of money for salt and not have the bucket or bags air tight. Funny how a lab grade salt is packaged in a trash bag with a plastic tie around top? I was not impressed. As for RC the only issue I had was my pumps and buckets got nasty after every batch. Stuff leaves a slim/gunk. I'm sure no salt is perfect, but I want to try the best one I can. You don't know unless you try.

[JpNuss]

It seems that salts are solely based on opinions and individual targets. But, I started with, and have been using, NeoMarine for about 6 months now. My reef loves it, so I love it. From the water I tested in the Caribbean, this salt matched the best, IMO.

 

In the Caribbean, I found...

 

Temp at 83 degrees

Salinity at 34 ppt

Calcium around 405-410 ppm

pH at 8.2

Alk at 7.5 dKH

Mg at 1283 ppm

 

Reef Crystals boast a calcium level of 450 ppm. That is good for some individuals, but I want my water to be as close to natural as possible.

 

Again, salts are a preference and are based on opinions and individual targets.

 

These are my findings and my preferences. My advice is to find a salt that meets your preferences and targets, and be consistent with that salt.

[dakotasreef]

It is best to use what you have available to you that gives you the best results. I would just pick a salt and stick with it. The only think I look for is consistancy between batches.

 

If you do switch salt brands, just make sure to do it gradually over serveral water changes. One of the nice things about Brightwells is that it mixes really quick if you were ever to get into a bind and needed to mix salt quickly.

 

Water chemistry stability is key to happy corals and livestock.