Salt Mixes.... HELP!!!!

[Musbtr1pin]

Just curious as to what everyone else has to say. I have been doing some reading up on different brands of Salt mixtures and issues with PH and Mg and Ca when the mixture is made.

I use a salt that comes from my LFS and it has no brand on it. They charge 14.99 for a 50 gal mix, my concern is, after reading all of this information of different salt brands and levels of elements that vary from mix to mix and brand to brand.

Is this a problem that i'm using a off brand salt, and would you recommend that I go to IO? and is it safe to switch and how long to I have to ween my tank off of this other salt?

Also I have had 10 lbs of Live rock in my tank for 2 weeks that came from LFS. I just recently purchased 100 lbs of uncured rock that was picked from the ocean and sent to my door aircargo. That has been in there since sunday morning, and I recently checked my levels today.

Salinity - 1.024
PH - 8
Ammonia - 1
Nitrates - 0 PPM
Nitrites - 0 PPM

Am I missing something here?

[Chasman]

Musbtr1pin

I just replied to your other thread regarding your live rock mess you have. Sorry it turned out the way it did.

As far as salt goes I use Tropic Marin Pro Reef. That doesn't mean it's the best. I think most of the world uses IO Reef Crystals. But go to any top notch aquarium dealer and you will find those are the two brands they sell. Something to be said for that.

Chasman

[leebca]

I would only use a known brand of marine salt. Almost any of the major brands are good. You don't care too much about calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity since you will bring the water into balance according to the table found in this post: What is Water Quality

I've used many different brands. Even the major brands occassionaly make a mixing mistake or a choice of chemical mistake. Pretty much like all manufacturers of almost any product. That's why you test the water before making a water change. Generally a good practice to follow is given here: How to Make a Successful Water Change

For a change in manufacturer, if it was between two of the well-known manufacturers, there should be no problem to just begin making normal water changes with the new salt. I can't speak for an 'unknown' salt, howeveer.