A Q

Wetty

Wetty

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A stupid Q...tis true.

But, Can u use non iodated sea salt or course table salt to make ur RO water into salt water?

Or must u buy these branded salt mixes?
 
I have heard that this could be done, but I take that with a pinch of salt!;) When I just started out I knew nothing about Instant Ocean or Tropic Marin and saw the pond salt lying on the shelve at the LFS(not asking for advice) buy it and walk out very chuffed with myself for having taken one of my biggest step towards starting my dream tank (Also thought this hobby can't be too expensive considering the cost of the salt at R10 for 2 Kg's if I remember correctly)! Forward four weeks, my tank having cycled I went back and bought a Domino Damsel and four hours down the line I had to flush it. I went back and bought another victim after I did a water change and had the same happening! :blushing: Then I went back to ask Wikus for advice, when he asked me which salt I use and me pointing to the shelve with the pond salts he burst out in laughter and helped me onto the right track. So no, I would not recommend this, I know there is a difference between pond salts and table salt, but still!

Btw. If I understand correctly this can be done as it is only the density of the water that is the big issue, you can even use sugar to substitute salt!
 
The salt we buy from the lfs has been chemically enhanced, table salt i don't think would do much good, there may be trace elements in it that might harm your system, i'm sure if it was any good, we'd all be on it by now.
 
You could achieve the salinity of seawater using normal salt (NaCl), I imagine it *might* be ok for fish only but for corals it would be severely lacking in anything they utilise.
 
Then ill play it safe and go with the goood stuff. So which brand is the most trusted and best for beginners?
 
I prefer the Tropic Marin range. Not using it anymore due to higher cost but will soon be using it again. That stuff is amazing when comparing the elements with those present in most other brands available locally. Otherwise go for Instant Ocean, great value for money!
 
Ill give it a try on next payday. Fanx
 
marine101 said:
I was reading an article on public aquaria. Apparently they make there own salt for there fish only systems. With cost in mind, they buy materials raw and mixim. They also run very low salinities, so ito cost, try it?
Click to expand...

but wont that be with hardy fish then? Fish that can stand changes in salinity levels?
 
This would be a GREAT experiment. If someone would have the cahunas to try it, it would be GREAT! Scientifically spoken there is NO reason why this should not work, IF you add other additives that would supply calcium and the other nutrients that corals would require....
 
Personally I feel Instant Ocean is overpriced and on the packet it says "low in phosphates" if I'm not mistaken. Real Ocean is much cheaper, says "no phosphates" and is used by Eco-aquatics on all their systems at home and in hotels and casino's. I tested the calcium in Real ocean and I got 450.
I saw Instant Ocean reef crystals at R168 for 2kg which is insane. Real Ocean costs about R485 for 26kg. And like I said - it's used by the guru's ;)
 
jacquesb said:
This would be a GREAT experiment. If someone would have the cahunas to try it, it would be GREAT! Scientifically spoken there is NO reason why this should not work, IF you add other additives that would supply calcium and the other nutrients that corals would require....
Click to expand...

You should be able to make a test sample - 5L then test the water for PO4, Iodine, Calcium.

This will give some sort of indication of if it would work. Not sure how you would test for the vitally important trace elements.
 
Now u guys are talking Greek. :lol:
 
Thanks Tobes, interesting, did not know that!
 
Hi Wetty,
Phosphates is not good for your tank, it is the cause of Algae break-outs(Wanted& Unwanted), could stun coral growth as it prevents proper calcification and cyano bacter break-outs.
Iodine is used by larger organisms for proper working of the Thyroid gland which control metabolism and is necessary for the forming of crustacean exoskeletons, imo not necessary to dose at the salt we use allready contain sufficient levels.
Calcium is reef building element in NSW as it is used by all creatures with calcerous skeletons to grow. eg LPS& SPS as well as the building of shells.

Hope this was the info you were looking for!;)
 
marine101 said:
I was reading an article on public aquaria. Apparently they make there own salt for there fish only systems. With cost in mind, they buy materials raw and mixim. They also run very low salinities, so ito cost, try it?
Click to expand...

Imo I believe that it could be possible for someone with a little insight to make salt for a FO or Fowler, but making it for a reef would be a different ballgame all together as there will be much more elements needed and that it will have to be perfectly balanced!
 
hmmm...very interesting. So which would be acceptable levels? and an acceptable salinity level?
 
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