Trying to choose brands of salt for saltwater fish tanks can really be confusing. When you’re talking about reef aquariums or fish-only saltwater tanks, salt isn’t just salt. There’s a lot more to choosing the best salt to add to your RODI water than meets the eye. But there’s no need to be bitter about it at all. The good news is that you have plenty of solid options.
Different brands of salt for saltwater tanks contain various nutrients. The main ingredient in all brands of salt for saltwater fish tanks is clearly salt, but other components may include chlorine, magnesium, sulfur, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, bromine, strontium, and silicon.
For that reason, the first step in choosing the right salt is to think about
what types of livestock live in your tank and what types of nutrients they need to live a happy life. Consider how and where that particular pet, plant, or coral would have lived in the wild, and try to choose salt that helps create a similar environment.
Some salts have more buffers for higher alkalinity while others have
higher calcium, strontium, or other mineral levels for reef tanks, so it’s
important to choose the one that’s right for your wildlife. For instance,
calcium can facilitate the growth of soft and hard coral, while hermit crabs
may require a different level of alkalinity than, say, a clownfish.
There is a science to making sure the synthetic salts are prepared and
mixed correctly with all the right amount of important elements in order to
create a pleasant environment in the aquarium.
In addition to mimicking nature to provide them with the essentials to
live, salt in tanks can help reduce stress that a fish may experience. The salt
also serves as a sort of antioxidant, helping fish to stay healthy and the water more sanitary.
All in all, as long as you’re using high-quality, reputable brands of salt,
most fish won’t be able to tell the difference. You can order several different brands of salt along with RODI water through Seatech H2O, and we’ll mix it for you. Salt brands we have regularly used for maintenance clients are Instant Ocean, Red Sea Coral Pro, and Fritz Reef Pro Mix, and we have had nothing but great results with these salts.
Other salts regularly available through Seatech H2O include:
• Brightwell NeoMarine Salt
• Oceanic Salt
• Seachem AquaVitro
• Seachem Vibrant Sea
• Catalina Saltwater
If you prefer yet a different brand, we can work with you toward that
option as well. If you’re unsure about which salt brand is best for your fish
tank, contact us and we’ll help you make the right decision.