Difference between Sea Salt and Kitchen Salt ?

Question

I am trying to setup a marine aquarium. As i don't have a sea nearby, i need to find alternate ways to make ocean/sea water at home. So i need to know what is the difference between the sea water and the water we can prepare. (Home preparing: Mixing water with rock salt). So i would like to know your suggesstions on how to prepare the water ?

Answer 1

Sea salt has a lot of trace minerals in it that are absolutely necessary for a marine aquarium to survive. If you are trying to add salt to a freshwater aquarium, Kosher salt is acceptable, but most pet stores carry salt for freshwater aquariums. You can buy salt for marine aquariums on-line, but any store you would buy the fish from will carry the salt as well.

Answer 2

Salt mix for aquariums is different than even sea salt that you see in grocery stores - it is formulated to provide the trace elements in sea water at concentrations best for the aquarium environment. There are a lot of different mixes - I like Instant Ocean the best. to prepare the water - start by adding a little less than recomended on the package (about a third cup depending on the mix) per gallon. then if you have a powerhead or air pump you can run a line from - put that in there to circulate - along with a heater so when you do your water changes it is the same temperature. After a few hours check with the hydrometer for salinity and add more if necessary. If you get a high reading add water. Usually you should let it mix overnight to make sure it is fully dissolved.

Answer 3

Kitchen Salt = Sodium Chloride
Sea Salt = Many minerials which is important for the marine life to grow. So use sea salt from the fish shop. Just another advise, You only need get the density right once and mark the tank for "Low" and "High" water level to maintain the density. As salt do not evaporate, you need not buy more salt to top up the tank, unless you drain the water out. As a guide, you DO NOT drain any water out unless there is disease in the tank, else you just top up some essential minerals & trace elements which can also be bought from a fish shop selling marine fishes.

Answer 4

Basically, sea salt is created through the evaporation of sea water, contains natural iodine and other minerals that are normally dissolved in sea water. Kitchen salt may also be sea water, but most often is mined from underground salt mines. Most of the impurities are removed and then iodine and calcium and phosphates are added to keep the salt from clumping. I would use neither for a salt water aquarium. A good pet store that sells salt water fish will also have the proper salt.

Answer 5

Absolutely do NOT try to set up a marine aquarium using kitchen salt. Also, don't try to set up a marine aquarium using the kind of "aquarium salt" that you can find at Wal-Mart. Before you start a marine aquarium you must research very heavily. Go to reefcentral.com and join the free message boards. Everyone there will help you with expert advice.

Answer 6

The fact that you're asking this question tells me you have a lot more homework to do before you undertake the task of setting up and maintaining a marine aquarium. I kept a brackish water tank for 15 years before I graduated to a marine tank and believe me it involved a lot more than I thought. I suggest you get some help from the pros. There is a website for a aquarium store called "that fish place" check it out they may be able to help you.

If you jump into this hastily, you are destined to fail, but if you take your time and get the proper info it will be very gratifying for many years.

Good luck

Answer 7

Kitchen salt is difference from sea salt due to the mineral and composition have been removed.
You may buy from Aquarium shop litres of prescribed sea water.
Not so expensive or you may buy the Marine Salt to mix it with water directly.