View Full Version : Rock salt vs. Ocean Salt
what's the difference?
Rock salt from Home depot at $3.99 for a 50lb bag, or $200.00 for the oceanic salt in 2 lb bags? Price is exagerrated for the oceanic salt.
Oddball
11-10-2005, 2:52 PM
The HD rock salt is only straight sodium chloride. Marine mixes contain salt and elements found in marine environments to form the closest approximation of the sea for marine life.
The roch salt sold for deicing driveways varies widely in quatlity and can contain things like iron, copper, potassium and other nasties, even the best is just salt and should it not be even used for anti ich treatment in fresh water, for that you can get away with canning or icecream salt but you need the trace elements for marine life. It would sort of be like saying that since the air is 79% nitrogen then we don't really need the other stuff in it, you know, like oxygen.
MaJiKTeRRoR
11-10-2005, 7:42 PM
Rock salt isn't suitable for saltwater tanks that is the difference.
Rock salt isn't suitable for saltwater tanks that is the difference.
Thanks! So OK, what is the right amount of salinity that I should use. Knowing that salt does not evaporate, I am just wondering how much I need to marine, or brackish?
Mourinho18
11-10-2005, 8:21 PM
you want about sg 1.020-1.025 for salt water tanks
isn't brackish about 1.002 :confused:
Brackish varies widely, mangrove and salt marsh habitats are about 1.012, esturine basins are lower.
FunkSkunk
11-12-2005, 12:19 PM
get one of these http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/acatalog/seatest.gif
MaJiKTeRRoR
11-12-2005, 3:49 PM
Get a deep six instead if you can
Vince
11-12-2005, 11:33 PM
Get a deep six instead if you can
That's deep !
:thumbsup:
skinnychinaman
11-14-2005, 1:09 AM
I never trust one of thsoe ..heheh.. dont be cheap, get a refractometer! it will last you a lifetime...
carcinoma
12-07-2005, 9:12 PM
Rock Salt sold at home depot are for softening the water. You can use this in freshwater tanks for disease management and increasing electrolytes for fish respiration.
Salt mix for marine/reef tanks contains tons of valuable trace elements, ie calcium that helps coral and invertebrates grow.
BTW, how's it going Vince? Going reef now? its awesome buddy.
Vince
12-07-2005, 10:41 PM
Welcome to MFK, John :) Glad to see you here. I am just planning a little reef tank, with dwarf angels. See how that goes.