Sea Salt Mixes - Part 1

When it comes to choosing a sea salt mix to buy for making up synthetic salt aquarium or reef tank system water, you want one that is as close in composition to that of natural sea water (NSW) as possible, as well as has no or little other unwanted impurities contained in it. So what elements, element compounds, and trace elements are you supposed to look for to compare, and how to you do this?

Trying to understand the full complexity of the "abundance" or "value" of elements in sea water, not to mention the many chloride, fluoride, bromide, and numerous other element compounds that contribute to its make up, for most people it can be like trying to learn about rocket science. This can particularly be true when it comes to reading measurements, because numbers can fluctuate up or down from test to test for various reasons.

• Different sources measure the elements in micromoles per kilogram, ppb (parts per billion), ppm (parts per million), ppt (parts per thousand), mg/L (milligrams per liter), etc., which means you have to often convert the measurements to find the one you want.
• The specific gravity (salinity) of the water used for testing was higher or lower.
• The temperature of the water used for testing was higher or lower.

For the above reasons, and because the chemistry of elements is quite technical and often hard to understand, we have compiled the following tables to help you more easily evaluate the most important elements and compounds that make up NSW (natural sea water) that are essential, as well as some that are undesirable if found in higher than normal concentrations in sea salt mixes.

• Table of Top Major and Minor Elements in NSW
• Table of Top 14 Out of 70 Trace Elements in NSW
• Table of Common Element Compounds to Watch Out For

~Debbie & Stan Hauter