The Great Salt Debate
Ask ten reefers which salt is best and you'll get twelve opinions. Here's a straightforward comparison of the main options available in the UK.
Why Salt Choice Matters
Reef salts vary in elevated vs natural seawater levels, batch-to-batch consistency, impurity levels, and dissolving behaviour. Lower-quality salts may contain phosphates, silicates, or heavy metals.
The Main Contenders
Red Sea Coral Pro (~£35–45 / 22kg)
The most popular choice in the UK. Mixes to elevated calcium (~450 ppm), alkalinity (~12 dKH), and magnesium (~1340 ppm), meaning less dosing required. Consistent and dissolves cleanly.
Tropic Marin Pro Reef (~£45–55 / 25kg)
German-made with excellent batch consistency and very low impurities. Slightly elevated parameters. A favourite among serious SPS keepers.
Fauna Marin Professional (~£50–60 / 25kg)
Mixes to natural seawater parameters, so dosing is needed from the start. Very pure — excellent for ICP-tested systems wanting a clean baseline.
Fritz Reef Pro Mix (~£30–40 / 22kg)
Good value, slightly elevated parameters. Dissolves fast and clean.
D-D H2Ocean Pro+ (~£30–40 / 23kg)
UK-made. Elevated parameters similar to Red Sea Coral Pro. Good availability.
General Guidance
For most UK reefers, Red Sea Coral Pro or Tropic Marin Pro Reef are the safe choices. On a tighter budget, Fritz or D-D H2Ocean are solid. For high-end SPS systems, Fauna Marin or Tropic Marin give the cleanest baseline.
Mixing Tips
- Always mix salt into RODI water, not the other way round
- Mix 24 hours before use at tank temperature with a powerhead running
- Check salinity with a refractometer before adding (target: 35 ppt / 1.025 SG)
- Don't switch brands frequently — each has a different trace element profile
A 22–25kg bucket typically lasts a 200L tank about 3–4 months with 10% weekly water changes.
What salt is everyone using and why? Any switches that made a noticeable difference?
0 replies
No replies yet
Be the first to reply!
Sign in to reply to this topic
Sign in