Major & Minor Elements .. what are they?

[DansReef.co.uk]

Most hard coral (SPS & LPS) coral keepers im sure are dosing elements back into their aquarium, but how many of us ACTUALLY know what those elements really are?

My newest YouTube video tries to explain more ..

 

[Cory]

Thanks i enjoyed it.

One thing, isnt 1.026 35ppt not 1.025?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That’s correct. 35 ppt seawater has a sg of about 1.0264.

I did enjoy much of the video too, but I would add there are some definitional issues of what is a major ion/element in seawater vs minor and trace elements, and the video seems internally inconsistent when it calls alkalinity a major element (definitions of major and minor and trace aside, it is not any type of element).

 

[GoVols]

That’s correct. 35 ppt seawater has a sg of about 1.0264.

I did enjoy much of the video too, but I would add there are some definitional issues of what is a major ion/element in seawater vs minor and trace elements, and the video seems internally inconsistent when it calls alkalinity a major element (definitions of major and minor and trace aside, it is not any type of element).

(lol)
I just use the right side of the meter and shoot for .35 ppt :)

Wonder if Seachem is taking notice from companies like Triton and ATI???

@DansReef.co.uk
Thanks for sharing the video!!!

Good Stuff :D

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, for those who are interested in further discussion of the elements in seawater, I discuss them here:

What is Seawater? by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/rhf/index.php

 

[DansReef.co.uk]

Seawater fluctuates but 1.026/1.025 always gives me 35PPT , guess if your reading a refractometer, depends how good your eye sight is! Obviously mine was dodgy when i wrote this video ;)

Glad you enjoyed the video none the less. I don't think i said Alk is an element (as it is not), it is a measurement of course. If that wasn't clear then my apologies, i'm not a chemist so did my upmost from an amateur hobbyists perspective.

Hopefully it gives a good enough insight and explanation to those who aren't quite as qualified :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Glad you enjoyed the video none the less. I don't think i said Alk is an element (as it is not), it is a measurement of course. If that wasn't clear then my apologies, i'm not a chemist so did my upmost from an amateur hobbyists perspective.

Not to beat a dead horse, but this was the type of comment that I was referring to:

10:59

"Magnesium, calcium, and alkalinity are three major elements that must..."

 

[DansReef.co.uk]

Not to beat a dead horse, but this was the type of comment that I was referring to:

10:59

"Magnesium, calcium, and alkalinity are three major elements that must..."

Yes fair play, parameters was a better word.

As i explained elsewhere within the video, its not an element, as you also pointed out.