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FAQs on Red Sea (Red Sea Salt, Coral Pro Salt) Synthetic Seawater Related Articles: Synthetic or Natural Seawater,
Saltwater
Impressions (Synthetics Review) By Steven Pro, Specific Gravity, Water Changes/Changing, pH, Alkalinity,
Marine
Alkalinity
Related FAQs: Seawater 1, Seawater
2, Seawater
3, Seawater 4,
Seawater 5,
Seawater 6, & FAQs on
Mixing,
Supplementing, Storing,
Moving, Physical/Chemical
Troubleshooting/Fixing... By Make/Manufacturer:
Natural Seawater. Synthetics: Aquarium Systems (Instant Ocean, Reef Crystals),
Aquacraft
(Marine Environments, BioSea...), Central Garden (Oceanic),
Kent Marine (SeaSalt), SeaChem Marine (Marine Salt, Reef Salt),
Energy Savers (Coralife),
Tropic Marin, Other Brands...
About Buying Pre-mixed Seawater,
About Synthetics Manufacturers Advertising Claims...
Spg 1,
Treating Tapwater For Marine Aquarium Use, Reverse
Osmosis Filtration
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Email "Pinky" here: redseainfo@redseafish.com
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Marine Salt Question, "Red Sea Coral Pro Salt" 3/23/07
Hi WW Crew:
<Bonnie>
I was wondering if anyone had experience or an opinion on the new product "Red
Sea Coral Pro Salt"?
<Mmm, nope>
The company states it is specifically formulated for use with reverse osmosis
water.
<Mmm...>
They also give some stats such as:
With a salinity of 1.025 the Calcium level is 480ppm at 75 degrees. I use R/O
water and was wondering if it might be good for me to use.
<Worth trying... though am a stead user of the two long-standing best brands in
the trade...>
I have been using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. Was rather surprised that the
calcium level would be that high (480ppm). What do you think?
<Is artificially boosted (relative to NSW...) but not a big deal (all good
synthetics are). Do take a read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seawater.htm
and the linked files above>
Thanks for your opinion. Bonnie
<Thanks for asking. Bob Fenner>
Salt Mix Opinion - 5/18/2006
Hey guy and gals!
<Hello Christine>
I was wondering what you guys thought about 'Red Sea Pro Coral Salt'. It is
supposed to be for use with RO water. Here is the description:
"With the increasing popularity of Reverse Osmosis water filtration systems Red
Sea addressed the special needs of this advanced hobbyist with the development
of Coral Pro Salt. Unlike traditional water filtration systems Reverse Osmosis
filtration strips the water of several essential elements, which were never
factored into the salt formulas available today. Since the reverse osmosis
process strip virtually 100% of the calcium from the “tap water” the hobbyist is
left with a seawater mixture that is significantly low in calcium from the
start. In addition to calcium there are a few other natural minerals and
chemicals left at inadequate levels such as magnesium.
Coral Pro salt when mixed with Reverse Osmosis water faithfully replicates
natural seawater and has the desired calcium and magnesium content to support
delicate reef life. Chemically balanced formula to support the most delicate
corals and other marine life. Free of nitrates and phosphates."
Does this eliminate the need for RO right/other buffers?
<Not familiar with this new product. Why don't you talk to the horse at Red
Sea. Email "Pinky" here: redseainfo@redseafish.com>
Thanks!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Christine
Re: Salt Mix Opinion - anyone but salty dog - 05/19/2006
Thanks for the email address, but I was really hoping to get an objective
opinion on the salt mix. My previous email is repeated below:
Hey guy and gals!
I was wondering what you guys thought about 'Red Sea Pro Coral Salt'. It is
supposed to be for use with RO water. Here is the description:
"With the increasing popularity of Reverse Osmosis water filtration systems Red
Sea addressed the special needs of this advanced hobbyist with the development
of Coral Pro Salt. Unlike traditional water filtration systems Reverse Osmosis
filtration strips the water of several essential elements, which were never
factored into the salt formulas available today. Since the reverse osmosis
process strip virtually 100% of the calcium from the “tap water” the hobbyist is
left with a seawater mixture that is significantly low in calcium from the
start. In addition to calcium there are a few other natural minerals and
chemicals left at inadequate levels such as magnesium.
Coral Pro salt when mixed with Reverse Osmosis water faithfully replicates
natural seawater and has the desired calcium and magnesium content to support
delicate reef life. Chemically balanced formula to support the most delicate
corals and other marine life. Free of nitrates and phosphates."
Have any of you tried this product? Does this eliminate the need for RO
right/other buffers?
Thanks!
Christine
<Mmm, did see the original response (and query). For my part I have not used
this product (is relatively new), but am familiar with the company's main brand
and this has proven inconsistent and inferior. I would post your query on some
of the various specialty BB's (ReefFrontiers, ReefCentral...) for a broader,
user-based response here. Bob Fenner>
Salt Mix Opinion Query - 05/19/2006
Another irritating querier. I gave her my answer stating I'm not familiar
with the product and even
gave her an addy to Red Sea. How can I give an "objective opinion" when I never
used the product or
am familiar with it. She doesn't want me to respond and I won't, already gave
her all she should need. ARRGGHHH.
James
<Thought about this as well... I'd've given about the same response... I have no
experience with this salt... but their main brand is inconsistent, inferior... I
would next, perhaps will refer this person to the specialty BB's for a wider net
of experience, input. BobF>
Salt Brand Change 8/5/03
Sorry to trouble you once again, but I have a quick question as I am about
to run out of salt. I have been using Red Sea since starting my tank 9 months
ago because I got several buckets for $30 each at Petco. I have been somewhat
dissatisfied with it's performance, especially since one ff the buckets kept
mixing up with an ammonia level of 0.5 using ammonia-free RO
water.
<I will tell you that for some time I have heard complaints monthly or better
with this salt... not so much quality issues... but consistency>
Anyway, I am considering a switch. I gather that most of the crew
prefer Tropic Main or IO over Red Sea. Is this correct?
<for me at least... Bob is agreed too I'm fairly certain><<Yes. RMF>>
Might I ask why?
<long-standing QC... Tropic Marin is arguably a better salt... IO is perhaps
a better value. Both are extremely reliable and consistent>
I've tried to read up on some of the issues, including the famous article by Ron
Shimek in Reefkeeping Online.
<ughhh... for neither love or money, I - nor many other industry
professionals I know - can explain why he made this statement or how the heck he
came to those conclusions. The backlash on it is already coming back. Sorry to
see it for all>
He seems to strongly favor Crystal Sea Marinemix.
<do read the message boards and our archives re: issues with this salt in
particular from less than pleased folks that made the switch. Seems to be some
concern for gastropods and echinoderms in particular as I recall (stunned snails
and starfish). I personally would not take it for free.>
If I do change, should I just start using the new brand for
water changes (say 5% per week)? Thanks, Steve Allen.
<do opt for 10-20% weekly water changes minimum please... and you will not go
wrong with TM, IO or Omega salts IMO. Best regards, Anthony>
Salt Mix Quality Questions
Dear Sir,
<No "sir"- just Scott F. here today!>
I have used Tropic Marin, HW Marinemix, Instant Ocean and Sera Meersaltz for my
marine fish hobby over 5 years.
<All good salts; I'm a Tropic Marin fan, myself>
Recently, I tried Red Sea salt because it was cheaper which unfortunately
resulted in the death of many of
my fishes in my aquarium!
<Sorry to hear that...Are you sure that it was the salt mix?>
I went back to the shop and found out that the shop owner himself uses Sera
Meersaltz for his magnificent showcase tanks. What about the Red Sea then? He
said he is aware of blending quality problems last year but thought the problem
had been rectified.
<Perhaps if this was the problem, maybe you purchased a leftover bag from one
of the troubled batches?>
He is no longer stocking Red Sea salt mix after my complaint and says Instant
Ocean would be the replacement for the budget conscious (Sera Meersaltz for the
serious high-end fishkeeper) as he had some similar complaints from others as
well. My question is why has there been a lack of emphasis on the quality
of many brands of seawater mix available especially where blending of the
formula matters so much?
<Well, I suppose that there has been a lot more placed into marketing and
packaging in recent years than into research and development by many companies.
Some formulas have been established so long that little, if any expense has been
put into refining them. The SF15 report, while appearing biased towards
Aquacraft products and somewhat understandable (their products did better in the
tests after all is said and done) is about the only thing I have seen so far.
<Agreed...there are not too many independent tests out there. However, a
number of advanced hobbyists and authors have done some limited research into
salt mix over the past couple of years, and have published this information on
the 'net. Just requires a bit of research on your part. Some of the findings
might be interesting, others seem to be a bit unusual, but it's always worth
looking at. I think the real problem is that it is rather expensive to perform a
completely unbiased, accurate, and thorough analysis of al of the salt mixes on
the market today. I suppose the best bet for the hobbyist is to see what your
fellow successful hobbyists have found to be effective, and try the salt in your
own system. If the salt works for you- stick with the brand. Consistency in all
things, including salt mix- is very vital for marine systems, IMO. Hang in
there! Regards, Scott F>
Seawater Mix Product Issues 4/9/04
Dear Sir,
<Wow! No need for such formality. We are a very laid back
bunch!<g>.>
I have used Tropic Marin, HW Marinemix, Instant Ocean and Sera Meersaltz for my
marine fish hobby over 5 years. Recently, I tried Red Sea salt because it was
cheaper which unfortunately resulted in the death of many of my fishes in my
aquarium!
<Very bad news indeed!>
I went back to the shop and found out that the shop owner himself uses Sera
Meersaltz for his magnificent showcase tanks. What about the Red Sea then? He
said he is aware of blending quality problems last year but thought the problem
had been rectified. He is no longer stocking Red Sea salt mix after my complaint
and says Instant Ocean would be the replacement for as he had some similar
complaints from others as well.
<I have not heard of this problem. Perhaps it is limited to certain areas.
Tropic Marin and Sera are very highly regarded salts (which unfortunately are
not widely available in the US) and Instant Ocean is so widely used that serious
problems with it would be well known.>
My question is why has there been a lack of emphasis on the quality of many
brands of seawater mix available especially where blending of the formula
matters so much? The SF15 report while appearing biased towards Aquacraft
products and somewhat
understandable (their products did better in the tests after all is said and
done) is about the only thing I have seen so far.
<The results of the S-15 report is widely considered to be very questionable.
Your observation that one brand of salts vastly outperformed others is very
keen. You might have also noted that the criteria used to judge the salts seemed
a bit odd and obviously favored the same brands of salt produced by the folks
who performed the testing.
Dr. Ron Shimek performed some testing of salt mixes using sea urchin larvae.
Although his results were quite dramatic, it is my strong opinion that not many
useful conclusions can be drawn from his results and that much more testing is
required.
I think the biggest reason for lack of testing of salts is primarily cost. No
one has any way of recovering their testing cost, let alone profiting from
performing unbiased testing. Another important reason is that it is only in the
last couple of years that husbandry has advanced so far that the life expectancy
of our animals may be limited by the quality of salt mix rather than poor
husbandry.
Lastly, very pure chemicals are very expensive. To give a very crude example, a
95% pure chemical may cost $1.00 per kilo, the same chemical 99% pure may be
$3.00 per kilo, the same chemical 99.99% pure may cost $15.00 per kilo. So, the
cost goes up very rapidly to achieve the very highest level of purity. I hope
this information is useful to you. Adam>
Questions (salt mix brands, spg, sponge diet)
Hi Bob !! If you're given a choice of salt mix, which one would you go for:
Instant ocean or Red Sea ?
<Instant Ocean by a few percent... with Tropic Marin a few points ahead of them...>
Secondly, for a fish only tank with live rocks, can I maintain the SG level of 1.017 permanently?
<Actually, not a good idea... more "stressful" than it's worth/gain IMO/E... would re-raise to NSW (near seawater), 1.025 over time>
Lastly, my 6 inch queen angel which refuse to eat for 2 weeks, now begins to feed on sponge which I bought specially
for her.
<Yes, a major component of Holacanthus of many species in the wild>
Is it ok for her to feed only on sponge or will she suffer from
malnutrition from consuming sponge only? Please advice. Thanks.
<Best to add other foodstuffs to this animals diet. Bob Fenner>
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