Salt mix crystal question

[GoVols]

When a single crystal is formed.
Does it contain the big-3 and trace elements or is there different kind of crystals or particles with in a salt mix?

Thanks, GoVols

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In a salt mix, the individual crystal chunks will be mostly individual pure ionic solids because that is what manufacturers would use, such as sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, etc., but each will have impurities of many other chemicals in it at some lower levels. For example, magnesium chloride will have impurities of sodium, potassium, calcium, etc. in it at some level.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Here's a typical formulation. Each of these additives will be separate crystals.

The following artificial seawater recipe is taken from "Chemical Oceanography" by Frank Millero. It makes a recipe that matches 35 ppt seawater in terms of major ions, but does not try to match all minor and trace elements, most of which will be present as impurities in the major elements.

23.98 g sodium chloride
5.029 g magnesium chloride
4.01 g sodium sulfate
1.14 g calcium chloride
0.699 g potassium chloride
0.172 g sodium bicarbonate
0.100 g potassium bromide
0.0254 g boric acid
0.0143 g strontium chloride
0.0029 g sodium fluoride
Water to 1 kg total weight.

 

[GoVols]

In a salt mix, the individual crystal chunks will be mostly individual pure ionic solids because that is what manufacturers would use, such as sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, etc., but each will have impurities of many other chemicals in it at some lower levels. For example, magnesium chloride will have impurities of sodium, potassium, calcium, etc. in it at some level.

So in theory... The sodium chloride, mag. and sulfate etc are separate crystals (particles) within a salt mix.

Never mind (lol) I just saw your above post .

"Each of these additives will be separate crystals"

Randy,
Thank You!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes. If you examine them really closely you may see different sizes or shapes that are different chemicals.

Happy Reefing.

 

[jason2459]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Nice. Have you looked to see what chemical that is likely to be?

Most sodium chloride crystals are cubes, but a few sometimes look like that.

 

[jason2459]

Nice. Have you looked to see what chemical that is likely to be?

Most sodium chloride crystals are cubes, but a few sometimes look like that.

I haven't but now I have another project to work on.