salinity™ is a blend of salts specifically formulated for the reef aquarium that contains all essential major, minor, and trace components found in natural reef waters, but contains no toxic or non-essential components. Additionally, salinity™ is the most concentrated salt blend on the market. With a hydration level of <0.5% salinity™ will yield a greater volume of prepared saltwater at a salinity of 35‰ per unit of weight than any other salt mix currently on the market.
salinity™ is identical to the distribution of anions and cations found in Natural Sea Water (NSW). We have compiled data from all the oceans and seas on the Earth, and have targeted the midpoint of the range for each element. We guarantee to be within ± 5% of the midpoint.
At a salinity of 35‰, for calcium, magnesium, strontium, pH, and alkalinity we have the following targets and/or ranges (see right).
- Calcium
- Target 422 mg/L, range 400–443 mg/L
- Magnesium
- Target 1336 mg/L, range 1269–1403 mg/L
- Strontium
- Target 8.4 mg/L, range 8.0–8.8 mg/L
- pH
- Range 8.4–8.6
- Alkalinity
- Range 3.2–3.8 meq/L
Sizes:
2.72 kg (6 lbs) Makes 75 liters (20 US gallons),
15.87 kg (35 lbs) Makes 450 liters (120 US gallons),
29.75 kg (65.5 lbs) Makes 850 liters (225 US gallons)
- Mix salinity™ with dechlorinated tap or purified water. We recommend the use of a commercial dechlorinator like alpha™ to neutralize any tap water chlorine and/or chloramines. If source water quality is poor we recommend purification with a Seachem Pinnacle™ RO/DI system. To prepare small quantities, add 36 grams per 1 liter of water. [This is a little less than 1/2 cup of salt per US gallon of water. For 15 gallons use 7 cups of salinity™.]
- Stir well to ensure a good mix. Although the salinity™ solution may be used immediately, we suggest mixing for 6-10 hours to achieve oxygen/carbon dioxide equilibrium.
- Measure the salinity. We recommend a salinity of 35‰. This will be a temperature compensated SG (specific gravity) value of 1.026. If you are using uncorrected SG values (H) then the following formula will yield a value for S (salinity) accurate to within 1%:
S = [0.3348 * T] + [1325 * H] - 1330.4525 (calibrated at 15.56 °C (60 °F))
S = [0.2211 * T] + [1325 * H] - 1330.4525 (calibrated at 25 °C (77 °F))
where S is the salinity in parts per thousand; T is temperature in degrees centigrade (range of 13-30 °C); and H is the uncorrected hydrometer reading. If you don't mind an error on the order of ±3%, simply use the following table:
If the water temperature is: | cal.@ 15.56 °C | cal.@ 25 °C | |
---|---|---|---|
degrees C | degrees F | then target H= | then target H= |
13 - 15 | 55 - 59 | 1.027 | 1.029 |
16 - 19 | 60 - 66 | 1.026 | 1.028 |
20 - 23 | 67 - 73 | 1.025 | 1.027 |
24 - 27 | 74 - 81 | 1.024 | 1.026 |
28 - 30 | 82 - 86 | 1.023 | 1.025 |
- Adjust salt level accordingly. If salinity is too low, then add more salinity™. If too high, add more water.
- Change 20% of aquarium water every two weeks (or as necessary) to maintain optimum water quality.
USAGE NOTE: NEVER mix salt in an aquarium containing livestock. Transfer livestock to the aquarium AFTER salt is completely mixed and specific gravity has been adjusted. Use Seachem's Stability® to avoid "new tank syndrome" and to prevent unnecessary livestock losses in a new system.