Lets be honest. If you are into reefing, you are probably a tiny bit obsessive. Most of us are. We spend thousands of dollars on tiny sticks of sparkling coral and subsequently lose our minds when the salinity levels drift by 0.001. I have been there. I have stood more than a 50-gallon monster garbage can at 2 AM, pouring mug after mug of salt, hoping I don't overshoot the mark. It is a guessing game that usually ends in a salty mess upon the floor and a stressed-out clownfish. Last month, I decided plenty was enough. I went upon a quest. I wanted to find the ultimate reef salt calculator to end the madness. I spent three weeks psychoanalysis all app, widget, and calendar formula known to man. I wanted perfect mixes every single time. No more "winging it." No more procedures and error.

I used to think my "scoop and pray" method was fine. It wasn't. I noticed my Acropora were looking a bit pale. My polyp extension was garbage. After some deep digging, I realized my aquarium calculator fish salt concentration was bouncing regarding following a basketball. One week I was at 1.024, the adjacent I was at 1.027. Stability is the holy grail of reefing, and I was failing at the most basic level. I realized that temperature plays a enormous role that most of us ignore.