switching salt.....

[Live Rock Ricky]

i have been pretty much a FO tank now for 5 years and FINALLY am ready for some corals...

I was told i should switch my salt to brand that is more appropriate for a reef tank. Right now I am using Instant Ocean Synthetic Sea Salt... What do you guys suggest?

My LFS gave me i think a green stony polyp that has been in the for 4 months and doing well. It is green (kind of looks like grass).

I also have one feather duster, few clown, few green chromis, canary fang blenny and one blue hippo tang (he has got to go soon)...

got two MH laps on my 55 acrylic.....

[Ron S.]

Could it be green star polyps? They will take over everything. I use and most people like Reef Crystals. IO is fine you just need to supplement to bring reading up to par. Mag, Cal, Alk, ect....

Ron

[Live Rock Ricky]

hey ron.. yeah, i think so.. that sounds right... haven't even looked it up yet... i like its color though.... and thanks.... do you need to supplement Reef Crystals?

[Ron S.]

Yes, Reef Crystals needs supplementing too, just not as much.

[Live Rock Ricky]

I think I'm gonna need someone to advise me what to supplement as I really don't do any right now. I pretty much just do my water changes... that's it... taking a few readings as we speak... i will post in a few

[Ron S.]

PH, Calcium, Magnesium, Alk are the main ones to check and supplement. Nitrate is one you need to keep low as well. You may want to check phosphates as well but I don't fell as essential.

[charlie]

If you are going to stick to the soft coral variety, I think you will be alright just doing your water changes, that will be enuf to keep your levels where you want them. Ca and alkalinity levels are not really that critical when it comes to softies. If you decide to switch to a few hard corals, then it is time to start doing some research.
I used IO for about 8 years before switching to Reef Crystals. If I am not mistaken, they are made by the same company. What I found was IO was pretty good in alk. but a little down on the calcium end. I keep softies and sps, and I never had any problems with IO, but then again, I do weekly water changes. JMHO

[Live Rock Ricky]

A guy at one LFS was pushing Red Sea Coral Pro Salt ... The bucket says it is specially formulated for RO water use... .what are your thoughts?

[charlie]

Can't give an opinion on that particular salt, I have only used IO or Reef Crystals. But I can say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.