Seawater is a complex solution containing a wide variety of organic and inorganic chemicals. While some of these are frequently discussed by reef aquarists, others are rarely mentioned. Without a working knowledge of what is present in natural seawater, it is often difficult to assess aquarium problems, as well as the claims of manufacturers and other aquarists about what additives and methodologies are desirable in maintaining reef aquaria.
This article is intended to help aquarists better understand the water in their aquaria. It strives to give a better understanding of what happens in seawater than does a simple table of elemental concentrations, although such tables are also provided.
The topics covered are:
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The Water Itself
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Seawater's Physical Properties
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pH
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Elements in Seawater
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The Big Four Ions
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The Other Major Ions
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Minor Ions
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Dissolved Atmospheric Gases
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Trace Elements
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Complexities to Minor and Trace Elements
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Organics
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How do Ions Behave in Seawater?
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How Ions Behave in Seawater: Simple Ions
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How Ions Behave in Seawater: Carbonate and Bicarbonate
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How Ions Behave in Seawater: Calcium, Magnesium and Strontium
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How Ions Behave in Seawater: Sulfate
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How Ions Behave in Seawater: Phosphate
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How Ions Behave in Seawater: Metals
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Nitrogen Compounds in Seawater
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Iodine in Seawater
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An Artificial Seawater Recipe
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Conclusion
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References
In the references section are links to articles about many of the individual ions present in seawater that most interest reef aquarists. This article does not try to describe what commercial artificial seawater and reef aquarium water contain. The following linked articles are more useful for those purposes:
A Chemical Analysis of Select Trace Elements in Synthetic Sea Salts and Natural Seawater
The Composition Of Several Synthetic Seawater Mixes
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