What Is in Reef Crystals?

Reef Crystals is a brand of aquarium salt produced by the company Instant Ocean, owned by Spectrum Brands. It purports to be superior for reef tanks because it contains reef-building minerals in higher concentrations than salts meant for fish-only tanks.

  1. Ingredients

    • Reef animals need more minerals than fish do.

      The primary ingredients in Reef Crystals are salt (sodium chloride), calcium, and magnesium. The mixture also includes strontium, trace minerals, vitamins and ethelyenediamine tetraacetic acid.

    Calcium

    • Sea organisms use nutrients in different proportions.

      Calcium is critical for the health of reefs and reef tanks. The organisms that form the reefs use calcium to build their exoskeletons, the backbone of the reef. Reef organisms remove calcium from water faster and in greater amounts than other biological groups, so a specialized mix is recommended.

    Magnesium

    • Reefs are built by organisms out of calcium and magnesium.

      The role of magnesium in reef organism physiology is not completely understood. It is consumed by many organisms and is believed to be important in calcification. It is the third most common element in sea salt after the salt (sodium and chloride) itself.

    Strontium

    • Many trace minerals are necessary for reef health.

      Strontium is a relatively rare element present in sea salt. It increases the body's ability to use calcium.

    EDTA

    • Reef animals are very sensitive to copper poisoning and other heavy metals.

      Ethelyenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) is used to buffer heavy metals by chelation (chemical binding that prevents uptake by organisms). It is a common food preservative, bleaching agent and medical treatment for heavy metal poisoning.

    Considerations

    • Water quality and salt balance are key for a healthy reef aquarium.

      Reef organisms are very delicate and have special needs. Specialized salt mixes are meant to address these needs. Mineral requirements are different for sea invertebrates than for fish, and they are much more sensitive to heavy metals such as copper, so a buffering agent is important. Always read the package instructions for correct measurements and further considerations.