back in the hobby after 20 years. completely diff. this is by far the most educational channel out there. I'm addicted. love what you do for vets. I'm also a Ma. resident and prior service 1985-92 . dig the USA decals on your equip.
I had inconsistency issues with both Reef Crystals and Instant Ocean. I used HW Marine for a year and parameters were good as you described. I thought the salt was a bit expensive and it also left a residue like RC. I am working on yet another salt comparison video this time 2 new salts Fritz and Aquaforest. If u like HW you can buy a bunch during Black Friday like I did and save big $$
Update on you corals I ordered. They are doing amazing the frogspawn is so big and the purple stylophora already has growth tips and is growing. Super happy keep up the good work love ur vids too.
Travis: I found out from one of your previous videos that sluggish snails are a warning sign for high magnesium levels. I had all 8-10 of my snails die because I was not able to resolve the issue quickly enough and did have a spike in nitrates from the dead snails. I removed the last one last week and that was a god awful smell. I knew it was going to be bad from other reviews I've read but nothing could have prepared me. My Magnesium levels are now back to 1300-1400 range so I am going to try a fresh batch of snails and see if these fair better than the last. Thank you for all the videos you have taught me a lot and allowed me to be more educated in my reef purchases.
Food for thought on the snails. I am testing magnesium as I've had to dose it due to low levels. I've noticed a couple of Nassarius Snails not appearing and laughed when one of them keep falling off the glass. Going to be ultra careful when counting on my next test!
I switched to this salt as well. I find it mixes very well and you don't get as much of the brown gunk in my mixing container. With reef crystals I was constantly cleaning it.
Changed from reef crystals to Aquaforest a few months ago. Best upgrade for my reefs. The Iron levels were through the roof. iron was precipitating into my mixing barrel after 24 hrs. Starting testing after mixing and super high levels of iron and Mg was 1600. I went with Aquaforest bc I run my alk at 7.8 instead of 9 on your reef.
Great informative video Travis. I made the switch to HW on my 300 and like the way it mixes and the way it maintains the levels we need. I'll continue to use it on my system.
Funny you mention this issues cause i had the same problem with a bad batch of Instant Ocean mix few months ago. Chalice took a big hit. i believe there is a use by date on some boxes. I'm thinking of trying the brand you mentioned now.
I've been using hw for 6mths. It is my first reef, and this is the first salt I've used since switching from buying from LFS, but it's been great the whole time
Not sure if correct, but I have heard that sometimes magnesium separates from the salt over time in the container. If that's the case, maybe you just scooped a lot of magnesium when mixing your water.
Curious to see how this goes.... I'm 100% sure I'm switching from RC on my new tank. I'm debating between HW marine & Seachems Aquavitro Salinty salt... im leaning towards the seachem brand.... have you ever used or heard of it?
Going all out i see :) Heard good things about this salt so no doubt you've made a good move. A lot of people use reef crystals but i'm not that fond + hard to get over here. Having a business off these tanks now it's a lot more important to have stability, so worth every cent if this stuff is as good as people make out. Good video
Great vid on top of the already awesome library. I've been using the Red Sea Coral pro but found that Ca/Alk would precipitate out if I let it sit. Have you tried storing pre-mixed water for any period of time (like a week) and found any precipitants?
Been using this for a while, pretty consistent, but sometimes comes in a solid block of salt, then call BRS for another, I will say every once in a while calcium jumps really high, not sure why but it does!!
Exciting news from Seachem coming, I went on a tour of their facility yesterday with the Atlanta Reef Club and they gave us all a new box of their new high concentrated reef salt called Vibrant Sea that is being shipped out for sale next week. I'm excited to switch over to this salt, they went into detail while we were in their lab on the product and it seems to be promising for reefers.
great video man. i use instant ocean and always have, not the reef crystals. i have been thinking of trying red sea. have you used that? maybe i'll look into that and this
+Sherridan Ervin honestly never needed to use anything but alkalinity from them as it's really the only parameter I test once a system is stable so it would be a waste to buy others.
My tds meter shows whats coming off the membrane before the DI and after the DI. Showing what comes into the RO unit is pointless. When the TDS coming off the membrane is over 10 i start to change out filters.
I have found the same problem with my salt. I use Red Sea coral pro. Really good salt, but now I am at the bottom of the salt bucket and almost finished with it, the salt in the bottom is overly rich in magnesium and calcium. I have stopped dosing , but believe the problem is the salt at the bottom didn't get properly mixed up ( as advised). Only side effect I am seeing is that the coralline algae grows fast but then crashes and slowly dies, so I have patchy purple and white. Have also noticed that my hermit crabs seem to take a long time to recover after shedding skin and do not move much for an unusual long time
Hey reefer, I was wondering if you would like to do a review of my salt. Let me know. I would like to help you with the chemistry work. Contact me and I can send you some samples to review. I know I can help.
Been using reef crystals for years with no problems
back in the hobby after 20 years. completely diff. this is by far the most educational channel out there. I'm addicted. love what you do for vets. I'm also a Ma. resident and prior service 1985-92 . dig the USA decals on your equip.
Check the ph to be sure on the mix. I had a bad batch that 7.6 ph from the box. I used it for a year and that one bad batch messed me up pretty good.
If the alk is in the correct rang the ph will be as well. Ill keep testing it for a few boxes to see how everything works out.
I do agree....it mixes quickly!
I had inconsistency issues with both Reef Crystals and Instant Ocean. I used HW Marine for a year and parameters were good as you described. I thought the salt was a bit expensive and it also left a residue like RC. I am working on yet another salt comparison video this time 2 new salts Fritz and Aquaforest. If u like HW you can buy a bunch during Black Friday like I did and save big $$
Im actually going in with another company to do a 40 box order so ill have that before the 300 goes up.
FishOfHex what is that gadget u use to put the syringe in to add the drops and shake at the same time and where did you get it .
it comes with the red sea test kits. Only way i know of getting it.
FishOfHex ok thanks.
FishOfHex which Red Sea test kit is the one that it came in?
Thank you I have been using reef crystals for about 2 years had problems with snails now I know why
No problem
3:08 when you said "It is really bad. You have to smell it" reminded me of the Geico commercial with the raccoons.
Update on you corals I ordered. They are doing amazing the frogspawn is so big and the purple stylophora already has growth tips and is growing. Super happy keep up the good work love ur vids too.
+Jake Oxenham (Rapiddestroyer9) awesome man glad you like the corals.
same problem with my crystals too. I switched and already love the changes
I've been reading about magnesium over the past few days man I have so much to learn and your videos definitely help 🤗
Glad to help
thanks for the video
No Problem
Travis: I found out from one of your previous videos that sluggish snails are a warning sign for high magnesium levels. I had all 8-10 of my snails die because I was not able to resolve the issue quickly enough and did have a spike in nitrates from the dead snails. I removed the last one last week and that was a god awful smell. I knew it was going to be bad from other reviews I've read but nothing could have prepared me. My Magnesium levels are now back to 1300-1400 range so I am going to try a fresh batch of snails and see if these fair better than the last.
Thank you for all the videos you have taught me a lot and allowed me to be more educated in my reef purchases.
No problem im glad to help and its true most people dont think its the magnesium until its to late. O btw i sent you an email back.
Yes, I saw the email this morning. Sorry I did not get it until then. I just placed my order this morning.
Food for thought on the snails. I am testing magnesium as I've had to dose it due to low levels. I've noticed a couple of Nassarius Snails not appearing and laughed when one of them keep falling off the glass. Going to be ultra careful when counting on my next test!
I always double check if something doesnt look correct
The joy of experience 😉 As a noobie on week 8 i have very little to compare it with! So, listening to your reasoning and knowledge really helps.
I switched to this salt as well. I find it mixes very well and you don't get as much of the brown gunk in my mixing container. With reef crystals I was constantly cleaning it.
Ever since I switched I gane lived this salt. Welcome aboard the HW train Travis. Expensive but well work it.
I've been using it for about 6 mo and I can defiantly tell the difference my acros started to grow like crazy
Changed from reef crystals to Aquaforest a few months ago. Best upgrade for my reefs. The Iron levels were through the roof. iron was precipitating into my mixing barrel after 24 hrs. Starting testing after mixing and super high levels of iron and Mg was 1600. I went with Aquaforest bc I run my alk at 7.8 instead of 9 on your reef.
Good information Travis. I never really liked Reef Crystals (too much residue). Thanks
No Problem
love the HW its so easy to mix
Great informative video Travis. I made the switch to HW on my 300 and like the way it mixes and the way it maintains the levels we need. I'll continue to use it on my system.
Funny you mention this issues cause i had the same problem with a bad batch of Instant Ocean mix few months ago. Chalice took a big hit. i believe there is a use by date on some boxes. I'm thinking of trying the brand you mentioned now.
Doesnt hurt to try something new
FishOfHex the I use it I like it a lot Dee
have use HW the last 3 years and really like its exactly the same every time a open a new box
I've been using hw for 6mths. It is my first reef, and this is the first salt I've used since switching from buying from LFS, but it's been great the whole time
Is that a desarjini sailfish tang or a regular tang? Because of the yellow tail and stripes and markings are contradicting
Desarjini
do you like HW better than fritz? i wanted to wait for tropic marin but they never come back in stock
Do you still use this salt? I have hi mag levels with reef crystals 1600. Just ordered hw marine mix. Just curious if you still use this salt.
Not sure if correct, but I have heard that sometimes magnesium separates from the salt over time in the container. If that's the case, maybe you just scooped a lot of magnesium when mixing your water.
I mix the salt prior to every use
Curious to see how this goes.... I'm 100% sure I'm switching from RC on my new tank. I'm debating between HW marine & Seachems Aquavitro Salinty salt... im leaning towards the seachem brand.... have you ever used or heard of it?
Never used it
CJ'S AQUARIUMS go with HW or red Sea coral pro
If you had magnesium on the autodoser thats probaply why
Its 5 ml every other day and its been like that for over a year with 0 problems
I would have to dump over a gallon of mag to get it to jump from 1250 to 2100ppm with my system.
Going all out i see :) Heard good things about this salt so no doubt you've made a good move. A lot of people use reef crystals but i'm not that fond + hard to get over here. Having a business off these tanks now it's a lot more important to have stability, so worth every cent if this stuff is as good as people make out. Good video
Are you still using this salt. Has it stayed consistent?
Great vid on top of the already awesome library. I've been using the Red Sea Coral pro but found that Ca/Alk would precipitate out if I let it sit. Have you tried storing pre-mixed water for any period of time (like a week) and found any precipitants?
if you keep a lid on it i have found no issues
Been using this for a while, pretty consistent, but sometimes comes in a solid block of salt, then call BRS for another, I will say every once in a while calcium jumps really high, not sure why but it does!!
Exciting news from Seachem coming, I went on a tour of their facility yesterday with the Atlanta Reef Club and they gave us all a new box of their new high concentrated reef salt called Vibrant Sea that is being shipped out for sale next week. I'm excited to switch over to this salt, they went into detail while we were in their lab on the product and it seems to be promising for reefers.
Have you ever tried "Coralife" brand marine salt? Opinion?
I have never used it but i know a few people who have and are happy.
To keep your salinity at 1.026 do you find you get 160 gal of replacement water from 160 box of salt?
+Robert Scott you can only get 160 gal at 1.025.
great video man. i use instant ocean and always have, not the reef crystals. i have been thinking of trying red sea. have you used that? maybe i'll look into that and this
I have never used red sea before I started with instant ocean way back
What test kits do you use sir?
Redsea for Calcium and Magnesium, Hanna checker for Alkalinity.
What all do you recommend to buy in a Hanna Checker test? Besides alkalinity
+Sherridan Ervin honestly never needed to use anything but alkalinity from them as it's really the only parameter I test once a system is stable so it would be a waste to buy others.
Thank you so much sir!
Np you can call me Travis, Sir makes me feel old :)
Does that exothermic reaction occur with most salts or just this brand?
I noticed it with reef crystals but bc it wasnt always consistent im not sure how bad it really was.
When you flipped your TDS meter to IN you really only have 2 PPM going iN?! mines like 300-450. Do you have your own well or something?
I run off the city with incoming tds of 350-480
My tds meter shows whats coming off the membrane before the DI and after the DI. Showing what comes into the RO unit is pointless. When the TDS coming off the membrane is over 10 i start to change out filters.
Ah i see thx, guess ill change mine
I have like 2-7 TDS from well but will double check the meter
You went from Ford to Tesla! HW is the best
I have found the same problem with my salt. I use Red Sea coral pro. Really good salt, but now I am at the bottom of the salt bucket and almost finished with it, the salt in the bottom is overly rich in magnesium and calcium. I have stopped dosing , but believe the problem is the salt at the bottom didn't get properly mixed up ( as advised).
Only side effect I am seeing is that the coralline algae grows fast but then crashes and slowly dies, so I have patchy purple and white. Have also noticed that my hermit crabs seem to take a long time to recover after shedding skin and do not move much for an unusual long time
Hey reefer, I was wondering if you would like to do a review of my salt. Let me know. I would like to help you with the chemistry work. Contact me and I can send you some samples to review. I know I can help.