SaltAquarium

Salt for Marine Aquarium

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.

Red-Sea-Salt-for-Marine-Aquarium-1
Salt MixesSalinity (ppt)Alkalinity (dKH)Calcium (Ca)Magnesium (Mg)
Red Sea Salt357.5-8.5415 – 4451240 – 1320
Red Sea Coral Pro Salt3511.5-12.5450 – 4801350 – 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.

Aquaforest-Sea-Salt-for-Aquarium
Salt MixesSalinity (ppt)Alkalinity (dKH)Calcium (Ca)Magnesium (Mg)
Aquaforest Sea Salt358.3-8.9380-4001260-1300
Aquaforest Reef Salt357.7-8.3440-4601360-1420
Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt357.7-8.3440-4601360-1420

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 MixesSalinity (ppt)Alkalinity (dKH)Calcium (Ca)Magnesium (Mg)
Reef Crystals Reef Salt3294501300
Instant Ocean Sea Salt35114001350

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 MixesSalinity (ppt)Alkalinity (dKH)Calcium (Ca)Magnesium (Mg)
Fluval Sea Marine Salt348.12-9.8460 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 MixesSalinity (ppt)Alkalinity (dKH)Calcium (Ca)Magnesium (Mg)
Hiker Ocean PRO Reef Sea Salt358.50-11.0440-4701390-1500
Hiker Ocean Reef Salt358.30-9.00400-4201350-1420

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 MixesSalinity (ppt)Alkalinity (dKH)Calcium (Ca)Magnesium (Mg)
Blue Treasure SPS Sea Salt 3584401440
Blue Treasure Reef Sea Salt357.00-11.00350-4001300-1450

Let us compare the salts for marine aquarium with each other and with suggested level for a reef tank.

Salt MixesSalinity (ppt)Alkalinity (dKH)Calcium (Ca)Magnesium (Mg)
     
Suggested Level358.0-12350 – 4501250 – 1350
     
Red Sea Salt357.5-8.5415 – 4451240 – 1320
Red Sea Coral Pro Salt3511.5-12.5450 – 4801350 – 1430
Aquaforest Sea Salt358.3-8.9380-4001260-1300
Aquaforest Reef Salt357.7-8.3440-4601360-1420
Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt357.7-8.3440-4601360-1420
Reef Crystals Reef Salt3294501300
Instant Ocean Sea Salt35114001350
Fluval Sea Marine Salt348.12-9.8460 1250 – 1300
Hiker Ocean PRO Reef Sea Salt358.50-11.0440-4701390-1500
Hiker Ocean Reef Salt358.30-9.00400-4201350-1420
Blue Treasure SPS Sea Salt 3584401440
Blue Treasure Reef Sea Salt357.00-11.00350-4001300-1450

The cost of the salt is one the most important factor and below are the cost per kg for sea salts.

Salt MixesCost/Kg
Red Sea Salt177
Red Sea Coral Pro Salt195
Aquaforest Sea Salt155
Aquaforest Reef Salt211
Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt286
Reef Crystals Reef Salt270
Instant Ocean Sea Salt196
Fluval Sea Marine Salt272
Hiker Ocean PRO Reef Sea Salt268
Hiker Ocean Reef Salt241
Blue Treasure SPS Sea Salt 229
Blue Treasure Reef Sea Salt182

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

Shaan

Like always it's my day one in the hobby. Always been a hobbyist but never knew would dive so deep in the hobby. I too started with a freshwater aquarium. When I first started saltwater aquarium it just grew on me and I knew that had to do more in this hobby. I am a Post-Grad in Business Administration have worked with Coldstar Logistics, Amazon and Jindal's before jumping completely in the ocean. Other than aquarium hobby I have my interests in travel, digital games and consumer web technology.

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