Difference between Aquarium Salt and Marine Salt?

[Valyrian]

I was wondering what the difference was. Because the box of aquarium salt says that it's made from evaporated sea water.

I was considering setting up a brackish tank for a puffer but I was wondering if I could use aquarium salt or if I had to get marine salt.

 

[fishmaven]

Typically aquarium salt is like rock salt NOT evaporated sea water. Red Sea Salts are evaporated salts from the Red Sea. Most aquarium salt wouldn't have the trace elements and a few other desirable things.

I'd think using a sea salt mix from almost any of the big boys would give you superior water quality and clarity. You can probably buy pre-mixed water from your local LFS.

 

[guppy]

Marine salt contains more trace elements and magnesium and calcium salts as well as sodium salt.

 

[Valyrian]

So does that mean I need to get marine salt to make a brackish tank?

 

[Miles]

So does that mean I need to get marine salt to make a brackish tank?

Yes, it would just be a freshwater tank with high salinity otherwise..

Marine Salt effects the pH and has other minerals in it, this is what you want.

 

[freeskierrocket]

Marine salt contains more trace elements and magnesium and calcium salts as well as sodium salt.

so Guppy, Would I be able to add a few gallons of the LFS pre mix salt water to my 125g african cichlid tank insted of doing the aquarium salt every water change..., which takes quite a while to dislove and is a pain.....??

 

[Lil_Stinker]

so Guppy, Would I be able to add a few gallons of the LFS pre mix salt water to my 125g african cichlid tank insted of doing the aquarium salt every water change..., which takes quite a while to dislove and is a pain.....??

On my affrican tank I add the crystals to the tank just before I start adding the water...

I use a 5g bucket, not a python ...
I add only the salt for one bucket at a time, sprinkle all over the tank area to better distribute, in my mind it disiolves faster. I also keep this tank temp at 80~82.

Siphon into bucket, dump bucket.
Siphon into bucket, dump bucket.
Siphon into bucket, dump bucket.
Siphon into bucket, dump bucket.
Siphon into bucket, dump bucket.
Rinse bucket.
Fill bucket, condition water in bucket, salt in the tank, water in the tank.
Fill bucket, condition water in bucket, salt in the tank, water in the tank.
Fill bucket, condition water in bucket, salt in the tank, water in the tank.
Fill bucket, condition water in bucket, salt in the tank, water in the tank.
Fill bucket, condition water in bucket, salt in the tank, water in the tank.

25 of 55 g is changed

It desolves at about the rate of the fill, salinity only changes slightly. Since it is not a marine tank its not critical to keep it constant

 

[freeskierrocket]

On my affrican tank I add the crystals to the tank just before I start adding the water...

I use a 5g bucket, not a python ...
I add only the salt for one bucket at a time, sprinkle all over the tank area to better distribute, in my mind it disiolves faster. I also keep this tank temp at 80~82.

Siphon into bucket, dump bucket.
Siphon into bucket, dump bucket.
Siphon into bucket, dump bucket.
Siphon into bucket, dump bucket.
Siphon into bucket, dump bucket.
Rinse bucket.
Fill bucket, condition water in bucket, salt in the tank, water in the tank.
Fill bucket, condition water in bucket, salt in the tank, water in the tank.
Fill bucket, condition water in bucket, salt in the tank, water in the tank.
Fill bucket, condition water in bucket, salt in the tank, water in the tank.
Fill bucket, condition water in bucket, salt in the tank, water in the tank.

25 of 55 g is changed

It desolves at about the rate of the fill, salinity only changes slightly. Since it is not a marine tank its not critical to keep it constant

When i try sprinkiling the aquarium salt over the surface of my tank the uber aggro africans think that it's feeding time even when i just fed then 10 mins ago!!!!!!! soooooo.....yes i usually dissolve the salt in my 5 gal buckets but i was just hoping for a easy way out .....ie... wanting to use possibly the premixed store salt water???