The Puffer Forum

What is everyones opinion on the salt they use?
Is there a "best" brand to use? I currently have a BW tank which may in the future be marine. I use Tropic Marin Salt. I have a problem with a daily build up of green "dusty" algae on the front glass - I usually clean it off every 2 days. It is easily wiped off with a soft cloth. I read somewhere that this can be a problem with this brand? Or is it just normal to have to clean the glass so frequently?

i use red sea and no probs

For BW, you are wasting a TON of $$$ on TM salt. Get the cheapest marine salt you can find. Even for my reef tank, Reef Crystals is fine.

I use instant ocean most of the time. I tend to shop around online and see who's selling the cheapest but with free delivery

You should really stick to one brand. I used Instant Ocean Before with no probs and Now IO reef crystals with no probs.


About the algae thou. Is there alot of waste present or extra food?? high nitrates??

SammyDee wrote:You should really stick to one brand. I used Instant Ocean Before with no probs and Now IO reef crystals with no probs.


About the algae thou. Is there alot of waste present or extra food?? high nitrates??

Nitrates are around 10. I regularly vacuum the gravel. I'm pretty sure I'm not overfeeding - any leftovers are quickly taken by the 7 ghost shrimp that have avoided being eaten.

Switching brands is no problem at all. Again, for BW, get whatever's on sale.

Is the tank light on all day, I used to have a problem with green algae in my brackish tank, it usually stayed on the pieces of ocean rock I had in there and having the tank light off during the day helped a bit. Not entirely though.

I always thought Tropic Marin wasnt that expensive as theres literally a couple of quid in it whatever brand you buy.

The lights come on at about 1pm, then change to moonlight at about 9.15pm, then off at 10pm. The curtains in that room are mainly kept closed. And there is some green algae on some of the ocean rock too.
No, not sure that there seems to be too much of a price difference. Will try a different brand next time, just because I heard of someone having a similar problem when they were using Tropic Marin.

If i was keeping a 'twig farm' sps based reef tank or trop 'nems i probably would stay with one high quality brand - one less parameter to worry about

I sort of go 'bucket chemistry' with the scats and nearly throw water change water together but take more care over the puffers water - I do leave the puffs water in heated, aereated barrels for 24hrs if at all possible.