Updated 2023
With so many sea salt mix options available, it can be overwhelming for beginners. Let’s start with the basics: any sea salt mix designed for home aquariums will generally yield good results for saltwater fish.
However, when it comes to adding corals, things get a bit more complex. Thriving corals require careful consideration of factors like coloration, polyp extension, trace elements, calcium, and alkalinity.
Experienced reefers often have brand loyalties and swear by their preferred options. Personally, I’ve used #1-3 on my list, and I know others who swear by the remaining two.
Price is an important factor to consider, especially since regular water changes can become costly with large aquariums. Keep this in mind when making your final decision.
It’s crucial not to change your salt mix too frequently once your tank inhabitants have acclimated to their environment. Sudden changes can cause stress, so I recommend choosing one of the options below and sticking with it.
Lastly, don’t forget to get a refractometer! The one below is my recommended choice. It will help you accurately measure salinity and ensure the success of your saltwater aquarium.
5. BrightWell Aquatics NeoMarine Salt Mix
One of the standout features of this salt is its origin in the USA, making it a great choice for those who prefer to buy local products. While it doesn’t necessarily make it superior to others, it’s a nice option for American buyers.
Interestingly, a friend of mine with a massive 600-gallon tank swears by Brightwell Aquatics products for all his dosing and supplement needs.
You can easily find this salt in either 50 or 150-gallon sizes, and for those looking to buy in bulk, they offer an astonishing option of ordering up to 5,000 gallons of mix at a time! Well, that’s quite an impressive quantity, even for the biggest aquariums out there!
When mixed to a specific gravity of 1.025, this salt blend provides the following levels:
– Calcium: 413 ppm
– Alkalinity: 7.5 dKH
– Magnesium: 1290 ppm
For those based in the USA, it’s definitely worth checking out Brightwell Aquatics to see if this salt might be the perfect fit for your aquarium needs.
4.Tropic Marin Sea Salt Mix
Tropic Marin, a German company with a rich history dating back to the 1960s, was among the pioneers in manufacturing commercially available sea salt mixes. For beginners, this longevity translates to a trustworthy and reliable product.
They offer three different types of sea salt mix. If your focus is primarily on keeping fish, their Classic Sea Salt would suffice. However, it’s worth noting that this particular option is on the higher end in terms of cost. Therefore, unless you have specific reasons for choosing it, you might want to explore alternatives listed as #1-#3 on this list.
Their Classic Sea Salt is the most budget-friendly choice, and when mixed to a specific gravity of 1.025, you can expect the following levels:
– Calcium: 440 ppm
– Alkalinity: 7 dKH
– Magnesium: 1350 ppm
Overall, Tropic Marin’s reputation and long-standing presence in the industry make it a brand you can trust, especially for those looking for high-quality sea salt mixes.
3. Red Sea Salt Mix
This is the first sea salt mix I ever used. My LFS recommended it, and I have had no complaints. As my system grew to more and more corals, I switched to their Coral Pro Mix instead.
Red Sea is a huge saltwater aquarium company, and probably best known for their high end (and expensive) marine aquariums. They have recently started manufacturing their own LED Lights and Skimmers to boot! My first tank was actually a Red Sea Reefer 170, and I still use their test kits to this day.
I love this salt. It is about $20 cheaper than the Tropic Marin mixes, but in my opinion just as high of quality. This salt is perfect for either a fish only tank or a tank with a small amount of corals. When mixed to a specific gravity of 1.025, you can expect the following:
- Calcium 410
- Alkalinity 7.7
- Magnesium 1230
You won’t go wrong here.
2. Red Sea Coral Pro Salt Mix
At the #2 spot, we have what I consider to be an upgrade from the standard Red Sea Salt Mix. While it may be slightly pricier, many reefers view it as the best salt option available.
True to its name, this mix is specially formulated to promote robust coral growth, boasting higher levels of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. When mixed to a specific gravity of 1.025, you can expect the following levels:
– Calcium: 465 ppm
– Alkalinity: 12 dKH
– Magnesium: 1390 ppm
These numbers surpass those of any other sea salt mix on the list. For beginners, this means that by diligently conducting weekly water changes, you may never need to supplementally dose calcium, alkalinity, or magnesium—unless, of course, you have a large system (say, over 60 gallons) filled with demanding lps and sps corals!
In my household, I manage up to five saltwater tanks at once, totaling over 200 gallons of water. As water changes became quite costly, and only two of my tanks have coral, I made the switch to Instant Ocean Reef Crystals to save some money!
1. Instant Ocean Sea & Reef Salt
Instant Ocean, owned by Spectrum Brands (known for Black + Decker, Marineland, Iams, and more), is one of the most popular sea salt mixes in the hobby. It is widely available both at your local fish store and online.
They offer two types of sea salt mix. The Instant Ocean Sea Salt is perfect for fish-only systems or lightly stocked aquariums with corals. When mixed to a specific gravity of 1.026, expect the following parameters:
– Calcium: 400 ppm
– Magnesium: 1320 ppm
For a fish-only setup, this is an excellent choice. However, if you plan to incorporate corals, I recommend spending a bit more and opting for Instant Ocean Reef Crystals.
Reef Crystals is specially formulated with higher concentrations of calcium and magnesium, and at just $61 for 200 gallons, it is one of the most cost-effective options available.
Personally, I use Reef Crystals for all of my systems, and when mixed to a specific gravity of 1.026, the following parameters are typically observed:
– Calcium: 455 ppm
– Alkalinity: 8.0 dKH (based on my own testing)
– Magnesium: 1345 ppm
Ultimately, any salt from this list will work well, so choose one that suits your needs and stick with it!
