Evaporated sea water salt?

[Icefire]

Randy wouldn't evaporated sea water salts (Sea salt) be as good as the artificial recipe for our sea water needs?

I might be able to source some real sea salt cheap in 50pounds bag.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

There are a few concerns with such a solution. First, calcium and magnesium carbonates will precipitate on drying and will not redissolve.

Second, that process if often not carried to completion, so some fluid remains with certain salts in it that are not incorporated. Analysis of "sea salts" often show a preponderance of sodium chloride and a deficiency of certain other ions.

Here's one, for example, that shows the magnesium to sodium ratio of 0.011 but real seawater has tenfold more magnesium, at 0.12.

http://www.curezone.com/foods/salt/Celtic_Sea_Salt_Analysis.asp

[Icefire]

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmars.reefkeepers.net%2FArticles%2FEauDeMer.html&langpair=fr%7Cen&hl=fr&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

You'll see that instant Ocean isn't perfect either. (that page is translated from french).

I'm waiting for the chemical analyse from the salt plant, we will see.

If I only need to add epson salt (in example) to get a perfectly safe reef salt at 5-10$ per 50 pounds, why not?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I agree that none of the salt mixes are perfect, but FWIW, that analysis does not use the current formulation of IO, which now includes bromide (and fluoride ?).

If you have a detailed analysis and know what to add to make a suitable salt, that's likely a fine way to go. :)