Q: I want to provide the best possible conditions for my captive ocean pets. With so many marine salts being promoted, how do I know which ones resemble natural seawater (NSW) and are best suited for keeping marine fish and reef or invertebrate aquariums?

A: The S-15™ Report™ is the easiest way you can tell which marine salts are similar to NSW and best for keeping marine fish & inverts.

Q: Do scientific-grade or pharmaceutical-grade ingredients make a better marine salt?

A: There is no such thing as ‘scientific grade’. There is no evidence that using pharmaceutical grade ingredients offers any advantages. However, evidence indicates using select grades of key ingredients that were derived from NSW and specially refined offer definite advantages for reproducing, rearing and keeping delicate specific larva.

There are three brands of marine salts contain all or some of these select grade ingredients. These salts are CORAL MARINE™ Scientific Formula&#153, BIO-SEA® Marinemix and MARINE ENVIRONMENT®.

Q: How many of the 15 brands of marine salts tested and described in the S-15&#153 Report™ were high in P04/ phosphate or P/phosphorus?

A: One brand tested higher than all others and contained 2x more P04 than found in NSW.

CORAL MARINE™(1) BIO-SEA® & MARINE ENVIRONMENT® tested at <0.003ppm. vs. 0.07ppm in NSW. That is considered zero phosphate.

BROMIDE and IODIDE

Q: How much bromide is in natural seawater and how important is it for keeping exotic marine fish and delicate reef aquariums?

A: There is 65 ppm of Bromide in natural sea water (NSW). It is believed by researchers that there may be a synergistic relationship between bromide and iodide. The proper amount and form of bromide in conjunction with the proper amount and form of iodide (not iodine) might prevent some aquatic health problems.

The presence of iodide (iodide additives) alone without bromide will temporarily raise redox but not prevent health problems associated with bromide deficient environments.

Now that information from the S-15™ Report™ has been made available, some marine salt manufacturers offer their version of an ‘independent’ assay… Unless the laboratory is named and the report is signed, its authenticity is questionable.
BROMIDE and OZONE

Q: Will the proper amount of ozone produce a toxic condition when used with a marine salt that contains the proper amount bromide? Does ozone lower calcium?

A: No. Excessive levels of ozone may be responsible for creating a toxic situation when in contact with some forms of bromide. Excessive amounts of ozone are not found in NSW. Ozone can lower calcium. It is important to control ozone and not compromise basic water quality by omitting elements found n NSW.

Ozone can be a serious health hazard to humans.

Q: How much bromide is found in popular marine salts?

A: Instant Ocean&@174; 5.4ppm, Coralife® 7.55ppm, Reef Crystals® 7.9ppm, Deep Ocean 8.25ppm, Forty Fathoms®/Crystal Sea 43ppm, Tropic Marin® 44ppm, BIO-SEA® 61.5ppm, andMARINE ENVIRONMENT® 66ppm. PPM is parts per million. Natural Sea Water (NSW) has 65 ppm. Bromides tested with AOAC procedures.*

S-15™ Report™ reveals that many marine salt claimsare not accurate.

Q: Is Tropic Marin practically impossible to distinguish from NSW? Does hW contain elements in similar concentrations to NSW?

A: No: Both brands tested low in calcium, other ions varied and each contained higher amounts of metals vs NSW. Refer to the S-15™ Report™.

Q: Why do some dealers offer products that are misleading and/or poorly formulated?

A: The majority of dealers and hobbyists are not equipped to testnew items. They fall victim to colorful advertisements. Some manufacturers do ZERO RESEARCH. They put research, development and testing money into packaging and advertising, which is sometimes misleading. The result can be failure to keep a successful marine or reef aquarium. This contributes to the long recognized problems of animal mortality.

Q: Is the S-15™ Report™ offered so people will know what salts need additives?

A: No. Additives cannot correct water that is drastically different than NSW.


*The S-15™ Report™ is offered so people will know which salts resemble NSW. And which marine salts do not measure up or meet basic requirements.

(1) Tested separately from the S-15™ Report™.