Aquarium Salt Mixes

"Of all the salts, which one should I use?" Does It really matter? Just buy the cheapest salt because I have to spend a fortune on everything else. Or just get what's available at my L.F.S. "Instant Ocean", everybody knows Instant Ocean and uses it.

There is a number of salt mixes out there. And many people have used a variety of them with great success. But to offer your saltwater aquarium and its inhabitants the very life giving source of where they live, should not be overlooked. E. Bornman said " If there's magic on this planet, its in water". Hard for us to " see the forest through the trees" sometimes. We look at our tanks and see our animals and either say, "man my stuff kicks butt". Or " why is my stuff not growing faster, or very colorful, or opened up good". When we should be saying, "man my water looks good". Or "my water sure doesn't look like the oceans". Then see the animals that are thriving in it. Impossible to do! But that's what makes this hobby interesting right? This crazy stuff living in water. Its just real easy to get focused on the animals and overlook the invisible water they are in. Not all salt mix is the same. In fact the composition of the different mixes can be quite different. Dr. Ronald Shimeck has done some studies on urchin embryo's and the success rate in different salt mixes with pretty big differences. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/rs/feature/index.htm This study shows the success rate of the embryo's with the NEWLEY mixed salt and reflects toxicity levels. This may not mean that your water is toxic because of the salt you have or use. Especially after it ages. The test is useful to show the quality of different salt mixes however and more reading can be done regarding aquarium toxicity here: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/index/

Chris Conk-

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