Top 10 Salt Mixes for Coral Growth in 2027

Red Sea says Coral Pro has a 12 dKH alkalinity that suits mixed reefs and SPS frag tanks, and that with its Reef Care Recipes it can boost growth up to four times the natural rate. Its chart for a salinity of 35 ppt shows 465 mg/L calcium and 1390 mg/L magnesium. Red Sea lists ICP testing of every bucket and no chemical binders or toxic levels of heavy metals.

Fritz lists Redline at 10-11.5 dKH alkalinity, 400-450 ppm calcium and 1300-1400 ppm magnesium when mixed to 35 ppt, and says its parameters reflect quality control pass ranges with the median targeted. On the standard RPM page Fritz points to Redline for higher alkalinity for increased SPS growth in a higher nutrient system. Every batch is lot numbered and tested in-house.

Fritz describes RPM as a complete marine salt for reef or fish-only systems with enhanced buffer levels and enhanced calcium, magnesium and potassium. At 35 ppt it states 8.0-9.0 dKH, 400-450 ppm calcium and 1300-1400 ppm magnesium. Fritz warns that source water can greatly affect alkalinity.

Red Sea says Red Sea Salt has an 8 dKH alkalinity that suits all reef types, especially SPS-dominated tanks, and that with its Reef Care Recipes it can boost pigment saturation and encourage growth up to twice the natural rate. Its chart at 35 ppt shows 430 mg/L calcium and 1310 mg/L magnesium.

Instant Ocean says Reef Crystals is formulated for reef aquariums with essential elements in concentrations greater than natural sea water, and contains extra calcium to ensure stony coral and coralline algae growth. The page gives a recommended specific gravity of 1.020-1.026 at 77°F but no alkalinity, calcium or magnesium figures.

Seachem says Vibrant Sea is a highly concentrated salt for marine and reef aquariums with enhanced potassium. At a specific gravity of 1.026 it states KH 3-4 meq/L, calcium 425-445 mg/L and magnesium 1,250-1,350 mg/L. Seachem says Reef Salt was discontinued and replaced by Vibrant Sea.

Tropic Marin lists Pro-Reef as pharmaceutically pure sea salt for reef aquaria, intended for reef tanks with average fish population and regular supply of calcium and alkalinity. The page gives no alkalinity, calcium or magnesium figures.

Tropic Marin lists Bio-Actif as pharmaceutically pure sea salt with prebiotic bacterial nutrition, for the same reef tanks as Pro-Reef, with additional prebiotic substances to stabilize the nutrient balance. No alkalinity, calcium or magnesium figures appear on the page.

Tropic Marin lists Syn-Biotic as sea salt with probiotic bacteria and prebiotic bacteria food, for reef tanks with average fish population and regular supply of calcium and alkalinity. No alkalinity, calcium or magnesium figures appear on the page.

Instant Ocean describes Instant Ocean Sea Salt as the most carefully formulated and universally preferred sea salt in the world, used by hobbyists, public aquariums and research facilities. The page makes no reef or coral claim and gives a recommended specific gravity of 1.020-1.024 at 77°F. It is here as a baseline.