MARINE AQUARIA 



Analyses have shown that seawater contains mineral salts of the 

 following proportion, in looo parts: 



Sodium chloride 26.9 parts. 



Magnesium chloride 3.2 " 



Magnesium sulphate 2.2 " 



Calcium sulphate 1.4 " 



Potassium chloride 6 " 



Sodium bromide 06 " 



Potassium sulphate .04 " 



Water 965.6 " 



1000. 

 Artificial Seawater. Experienced marine aquariists prepare arti- 

 ficial seawater with the following salts, the proportions given being for a 

 volume of ten gallons, and the weights in Apothecaries' weight, as this is 

 the most convenient source from which they may be obtained. 



Sodium chloride (Tablesalt) 2 lb. 8S. 25. 18 gr. 



Magnesium chloride 3S. ^3. 13 'gr. 



Magnesium sulphate 2S. 33. i3 8 gr. 



Potassium sulphate 53. 23 10 gr. 



and sufficient wellwater to bring the whole to ten gallons. 

 These proportions of salts, expressed in the Metric system, would be: 



Sodium chloride : . . 66^ grams. 



Magnesium chloride 75 " 



Magnesium sulphate. 50 " 



Potassium sulphate ... 15 " 



Added to 25 litres of wellwater. 

 The salts should be fresh and be kept in glass-stoppered bottles. The 

 magnesium chloride deteriorates when exposed to the atmosphere, and the 

 tablesalt should not be very moist. 



Each of the salts must be dissolved in a glass or porcelain vessel by 

 stirring in a little water and then separately added to the wellwater, until 

 the whole quantity is exactly ten gallons, or any desired part or multiple 

 thereof, in the same proportions. The prepared seawater should be kept 

 in a clean glass or stoneware vessel in a cool place and lightly covered for 

 two or three weeks, and occasionally stirred to insure a complete solution 

 and uniform mixture; after which it is ready for use. 



A solution of Turk's Island salt of the proper gravity has been suc- 

 cessfully used by the Fish Commission, at Washington, for small aquaria, 

 but it is best to prepare the saltwater as above given. 



When the aquarium has been filled, it should be left undisturbed for 

 a day or two, after which the water will be found to be clear and limpid. 



