Salt for a marine aquarium is one of the most discussed topics in the aquarium industry. Today we are going to check out some of the salt mixes available in India. Salt is an important part of maintaining your reef tank. Salt contains vital compounds which are required for growth and health of marine life forms. There are a number of different types of salt available in the market for reef tanks, so it is important to pick the best for your tank.
We are going to cover three parameters Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium. Calcium (Ca) is important for building a skeleton. Alkalinity is a measure of the carbonate and bicarbonate levels in the water. Magnesium helps in balancing the alkalinity in the aquarium water. Cost is the last part which we will discuss as it affects our buying decision.
Red Sea
Red Sea’s coral pro and Sea salt are two which we find at most of the aquarium shops and online retailers. These salts have been tested in the research process. Red Sea’s salt is an ideal mixture of salt for marine aquariums. It is designed to encourage and accelerate the growth of marine life.
Salt Mixes | Salinity (ppt) | Alkalinity (dKH) | Calcium (Ca) | Magnesium (Mg) |
Red Sea Salt | 35 | 7.5-8.5 | 415 – 445 | 1240 – 1320 |
Red Sea Coral Pro Salt | 35 | 11.5-12.5 | 450 – 480 | 1350 – 1430 |
Aquaforest
Aquaforest is the newest player in the Indian aquarium industry and has three types of salt available Sea Salt, Reef Salt and Probiotic Reef Salt. These are fully synthetic salt for a marine aquarium and designed to create the best conditions for marine animals.
Salt Mixes | Salinity (ppt) | Alkalinity (dKH) | Calcium (Ca) | Magnesium (Mg) |
Aquaforest Sea Salt | 35 | 8.3-8.9 | 380-400 | 1260-1300 |
Aquaforest Reef Salt | 35 | 7.7-8.3 | 440-460 | 1360-1420 |
Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt | 35 | 7.7-8.3 | 440-460 | 1360-1420 |
Instant Ocean
Instant Ocean is another big brand which is an Indian market and offers two types of salts the Reef Crystals Reef Salt and the Instant Ocean Sea Salt. The easiest and smartest ways to bring ocean water to your aquarium. It is also one of the most preferred sea salts for marine aquarium throughout the world. The sea salt has all the essential elements that are needed for a healthy aquarium.
Salt Mixes | Salinity (ppt) | Alkalinity (dKH) | Calcium (Ca) | Magnesium (Mg) |
Reef Crystals Reef Salt | 32 | 9 | 450 | 1300 |
Instant Ocean Sea Salt | 35 | 11 | 400 | 1350 |
Fluval
Fluval is a known brand in the aquarium industry along with the filter they have sea salt called Fluval Sea Marine Salt. You’ll find that product dissolves quickly and brings out crystal clear water. It contains all essential trace elements which would benefit corals, fish and invertebrates. Salt is highly balanced formula containing enhanced calcium levels with natural trace element concentrations.
Salt Mixes | Salinity (ppt) | Alkalinity (dKH) | Calcium (Ca) | Magnesium (Mg) |
Fluval Sea Marine Salt | 34 | 8.12-9.8 | 460 | 1250 – 1300 |
Qingdao Haike General Sea Salt
Qingdao Haike General Sea Salt Company is a China-based company manufacturing salts for 20 years and offers two salt mixes Hiker Ocean PRO Reef Sea Salt and Hiker Ocean Reef Salt. Salt is formulated for use in reef and marine aquariums. It has a biologically balanced level of foundation condition, including adequate alkalinity and stable PH value.
Salt Mixes | Salinity (ppt) | Alkalinity (dKH) | Calcium (Ca) | Magnesium (Mg) |
Hiker Ocean PRO Reef Sea Salt | 35 | 8.50-11.0 | 440-470 | 1390-1500 |
Hiker Ocean Reef Salt | 35 | 8.30-9.00 | 400-420 | 1350-1420 |
Qingdao Sea-Salt Aquarium Technology
Qingdao Sea-Salt Aquarium Technology Company is another China-based company which produces two salts Blue Treasure SPS Sea Salt and Blue Treasure Reef Sea Salt. Salts are the result of years of research into the physiological demands of corals in the reef aquarium environment and the growth, breed of other marine animals around the world. The raw materials of all series Blue Treasure synthetic sea salts for marine aquarium are selected from pure, food-grade and contain all kinds of trace elements which found in natural seawater.
Salt Mixes | Salinity (ppt) | Alkalinity (dKH) | Calcium (Ca) | Magnesium (Mg) |
Blue Treasure SPS Sea Salt | 35 | 8 | 440 | 1440 |
Blue Treasure Reef Sea Salt | 35 | 7.00-11.00 | 350-400 | 1300-1450 |
Let us compare the salts for marine aquarium with each other and with suggested level for a reef tank.
Salt Mixes | Salinity (ppt) | Alkalinity (dKH) | Calcium (Ca) | Magnesium (Mg) |
Suggested Level | 35 | 8.0-12 | 350 – 450 | 1250 – 1350 |
Red Sea Salt | 35 | 7.5-8.5 | 415 – 445 | 1240 – 1320 |
Red Sea Coral Pro Salt | 35 | 11.5-12.5 | 450 – 480 | 1350 – 1430 |
Aquaforest Sea Salt | 35 | 8.3-8.9 | 380-400 | 1260-1300 |
Aquaforest Reef Salt | 35 | 7.7-8.3 | 440-460 | 1360-1420 |
Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt | 35 | 7.7-8.3 | 440-460 | 1360-1420 |
Reef Crystals Reef Salt | 32 | 9 | 450 | 1300 |
Instant Ocean Sea Salt | 35 | 11 | 400 | 1350 |
Fluval Sea Marine Salt | 34 | 8.12-9.8 | 460 | 1250 – 1300 |
Hiker Ocean PRO Reef Sea Salt | 35 | 8.50-11.0 | 440-470 | 1390-1500 |
Hiker Ocean Reef Salt | 35 | 8.30-9.00 | 400-420 | 1350-1420 |
Blue Treasure SPS Sea Salt | 35 | 8 | 440 | 1440 |
Blue Treasure Reef Sea Salt | 35 | 7.00-11.00 | 350-400 | 1300-1450 |
The cost of the salt is one the most important factor and below are the cost per kg for sea salts.
Salt Mixes | Cost/Kg |
Red Sea Salt | 177 |
Red Sea Coral Pro Salt | 195 |
Aquaforest Sea Salt | 155 |
Aquaforest Reef Salt | 211 |
Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt | 286 |
Reef Crystals Reef Salt | 270 |
Instant Ocean Sea Salt | 196 |
Fluval Sea Marine Salt | 272 |
Hiker Ocean PRO Reef Sea Salt | 268 |
Hiker Ocean Reef Salt | 241 |
Blue Treasure SPS Sea Salt | 229 |
Blue Treasure Reef Sea Salt | 182 |
Conclusion on Salt for Marine Aquarium
After looking at the prices the lowest price is of Red Sea Salt but the parameter levels are also very close to the lowest. So, the best option cost-wise and appropriate parameter wise is Red Sea Coral Pro. But again, it would not be right to rule out the lower parameter level as additives can be mixed to bring it up to appropriate levels.
Must Read: Marine Aquarium Test Kits and Top tools for checking salinity in our tanks