This guide compares the reef salts EasternMarine Aquariums (EMA) stocks in New Zealand: Red Sea Coral Pro Salt, Red Sea Coral Reef Sea Salt, Fauna Marin Professional Sea Salt, Mantis Reef Salt and D-D H2Ocean Classic Pro Reef Salt. Every figure below is taken from the manufacturer information on our product pages, so you can compare like with like. You can see the full range in our marine salt collection.
EMA is an official NZ Red Sea distributor, and we also use Red Sea Coral Reef Salt for the pre-mixed saltwater we sell in store.
Reef salt comparison at a glance
| Salt | What the manufacturer says it is | Stated parameters | Mixing | Sizes at EMA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Sea Coral Pro Salt | Formulated for RO or soft tap water, with elevated calcium and buffer capacity for coral growth | At 1.025 SG (35 ppt): calcium 480 ppm. Free of nitrates and phosphates | 38.2 g/L for 35 ppt; about 20 minutes from bucket to tank | 22 kg (makes 660 L) |
| Red Sea Coral Reef Sea Salt | Natural seawater parameters with slightly elevated KH; ideal for SPS-dominant, ULNS and marine fish tanks | At 1.025 SG (35 ppt): calcium 480 ppm; pH 8.2–8.5. No nitrates or phosphates | 38.2 g/L for 35 ppt; about 20 minutes from bucket to tank | 22 kg bucket, 20 kg box |
| Fauna Marin Professional Sea Salt | Balanced all-rounder for coral breeders and demanding aquarists; ICP tested by the Fauna Marin ICP Laboratory for batch consistency | Mg 1,250–1,340 mg/L, Ca 410–440 mg/L, K 380–400 mg/L, KH 8.0–8.5 dKH, pH 8.0–8.4 | 35.9–38.5 g/L for 35 psu | 10 kg box, 20 kg box, 25 kg bucket |
| Mantis Reef Salt | Premium synthetic salt made from food, pharmaceutical and analytical-grade raw materials; suits soft corals, LPS, SPS and marine fish | Balanced calcium, magnesium, potassium and carbonate hardness (no figures published on the product page) | Fast-dissolving; mix with RO or RO/DI water, then check salinity | 20 kg |
| D-D H2Ocean Classic Pro Reef Salt | Natural solar-evaporated salt base enhanced with calcium and magnesium, for reefs maintained with regular water changes | At 35 ppt: KH 9.8 dKH, Ca 440 mg/L, Mg 1,340 mg/L, K 410 mg/L, pH 8.3 | Start at 1 kg per 25.77 L, then adjust salinity | 23 kg bucket (about 592–702 L) |
Stock levels change, so check each product page for current availability and price.
Red Sea Coral Pro Salt
Red Sea describes Coral Pro Salt as formulated for "mineral free" reverse osmosis or soft tap water. It has elevated calcium and buffer capacity, so corals have more of these elements available between water changes. It uses the same natural sea minerals as Red Sea's standard salt.
- 22 kg makes 660 L of saltwater.
- New formula dissolves faster: about 20 minutes from bucket to tank.
- Calcium at 30.6 / 32.8 / 35.0 ppt: 420 / 450 / 480 ppm, using 33.4 / 35.8 / 38.2 g of salt per litre.
- Free of nitrates and phosphates; produced in small batches for consistency.
Red Sea Coral Reef Sea Salt
Red Sea Coral Reef Sea Salt (also called Red Sea Salt or Reef Sea Salt) provides natural seawater parameters with a slightly elevated KH, as needed in a closed marine system. Red Sea recommends it for SPS-dominant, ultra-low nutrient (ULNS) and marine fish tanks, and for low-nutrient tanks where you supplement individual elements regularly.
- Natural, eco-friendly harvesting from the Red Sea, with a full complement of trace elements.
- Guaranteed parameters for each 10 L mix; produces stable seawater with a pH of 8.2–8.5.
- Same mixing rates as Coral Pro: 38.2 g/L for 35 ppt (1.025 SG), with 480 ppm calcium.
- No nitrates, phosphates, toxic levels of heavy metals or chemical binders.
- Available as a 22 kg bucket or a 20 kg box.
Not sure which Red Sea salt suits your tank? Read Red Sea Reef Salt or Coral Pro: what's best for your reef tank, or browse all Red Sea salt.
Fauna Marin Professional Sea Salt
Fauna Marin Professional Sea Salt was developed for coral breeders and aquarists with professional demands. Fauna Marin describes it as a balanced all-rounder that works with all modern filter systems, made from pharmaceutically pure salts with regular independent lab checks. Each batch is ICP tested by the Fauna Marin ICP Laboratory.
- Dose 35.9–38.5 g per litre for a salinity of 35 psu.
- Magnesium 1,250–1,340 mg/L, calcium 410–440 mg/L, potassium 380–400 mg/L, strontium 7.0–9.0 mg/L.
- Alkalinity 8.0–8.5 dKH; pH 8.0–8.4.
- Fauna Marin recommends a weekly water change of about 5–10% of the aquarium's gross volume. Adding 100 ml of sparkling mineral water per 100 L speeds up dissolving.
- Sizes in NZ: 10 kg box, 20 kg box and 25 kg bucket. The 4 kg box isn't available in NZ.
If you test with ICP, see our Fauna Marin ICP reef salts.
Mantis Reef Salt
Mantis Reef Salt is a premium synthetic marine salt for reef aquariums, marine fish, corals and invertebrates. It is made from high-purity ingredients, including food-grade sodium chloride, pharmaceutical-grade sodium bromide and selected analytical-grade mineral salts.
- Balanced major, minor and trace minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium and carbonate hardness.
- Fast-dissolving formula for clear saltwater.
- Suitable for mixed reefs, soft corals, LPS and SPS systems, and for new tanks and routine water changes.
- Mix with purified RO or RO/DI water in a clean container with strong circulation, then check salinity and temperature before use.
D-D H2Ocean Classic Pro Reef Salt
D-D H2Ocean Classic Pro Reef Salt starts with a natural, solar-evaporated salt base, enhanced with calcium and magnesium to replenish what growing corals and coralline algae use. D-D designed it for reefs kept with regular partial water changes. Reefs with higher calcium and alkalinity demand may still need supplementing between changes.
- 23 kg bucket; manufacturer-stated yield about 592–702 L, depending on salinity.
- Typical values at 35 ppt (SG 1.0264 at 25°C): alkalinity 9.8 dKH, calcium 440 mg/L, magnesium 1,340 mg/L, potassium 410 mg/L, pH 8.3.
- D-D recommends starting with 1 kg per 25.77 L, then checking and adjusting salinity. Mix thoroughly and aerate before use.
- Stir the dry contents before taking a partial amount, as material can settle in transport.
How to choose
- You use RO water and want extra calcium and alkalinity from each water change: Red Sea Coral Pro Salt is formulated for exactly that.
- SPS-dominant, ultra-low nutrient or fish-only tank: Red Sea recommends Coral Reef Sea Salt, with natural seawater levels and slightly elevated KH.
- You test with ICP and want batch-to-batch consistency: Fauna Marin Professional Sea Salt is ICP tested per batch and lists a full composition, including magnesium, potassium and strontium.
- You prefer a high-purity synthetic mix: Mantis Reef Salt is made from food, pharmaceutical and analytical-grade materials.
- You want a natural base with enhanced calcium and magnesium in a large bucket: D-D H2Ocean Classic Pro gives about 592–702 L per 23 kg.
Mixing tips from the manufacturers
- Use RO or RO/DI water, and always add salt to water.
- Never add dry salt directly to an aquarium containing livestock.
- Mix in a clean container with good circulation, then check salinity (and temperature) before adding the water to your tank.
For step-by-step instructions, see How to mix saltwater for a reef tank.
Prefer not to mix? Pre-mixed saltwater in store
Our Premium Saltwater is mixed with Red Sea Coral Reef Salt at 35 ppt using RO/DI water, ready for water changes and new setups. It is sold by the litre at our Auckland store; bring your own clean, sealable containers.
Buy reef salt in NZ
Shop all salts in our marine salt collection, or visit us at Unit 21, 114 Wiri Station Road, Wiri, Auckland. Questions about which salt suits your tank? Call us on 09 281 1380 or contact us.
