Sulawesi Mineral 8.5 was developed according to the results of a scientific analysis of water originating from the lakes of the Malili lake system on Sulawesi. It serves for mineralising RO water, rainwater, fully desalinated water etc. and requires some additional measures for fully dissolving. Water remineralised with this mineral salt will result in an almost exact copy of the water of Lake Towuti and a correspondingly high pH of 8.5, which also serves for greatly reducing pathogens.

Sulawesi Mineral 8.5 contains all important minerals and trace elements the well-known shrimp species from this region need for their health, wellbeing and colouration. This mineral salt furthers the microbial regeneration of biological filter substrates and raises carbonate and total hardness at a ratio of KH/°dH = 0.78/1.0.

Note
The shrimp originating from Lake Towuti on Sulawesi (e.g. the freshwater harlequin shrimp - Caridina woltereckae, or the red banded shrimp - Caridina striata) are still very difficult to breed in captivity. Thus we went to the Ancient Lakes on Sulawesi again in 2011 (after our initial trip in 2008) in order to have a closer look at the conditions in the habitat and to take water samples to have them analysed here.
The results of these analyses show fundamental differences of the water chemistry of the Malili Lakes in comparison with generally known types of lacustrian waters. Here we had to completely rework the mineral constellation; the result of these efforts is the salt Sulawesi Mineral 8.5

Less finicky Sulawesi shrimp like the freshwater cardinal shrimp (Caridina dennerli) can be kept and bred with positive outcomes both with Sulawesi Mineral 7.5 and Sulawesi Mineral 8.5. For the more susceptible shrimps we hope to achieve long-term successful breeding by the use of Sulawesi Mineral 8.5, which is practically identical to the water chemistry of Lake Towuti.

Instructions for use
Add Sulawesi Mineral 8.5 to water outside of your aquarium. It will almost totally dissolve if the water is heated (bring to the boil or heat in a microwave) or if CO2 is added for a few days. If you use CO2 to dissolve the mineral salt, please make sure you aerate the water afterwards for at least three hours with an air stone in order to expel the CO2! Afterwards, the water is ready for use. We recommend adapting the temperature of the new water to that in your tank. Please make sure not to add any undissolved particles to your tank. Close the container after use.

Dosage
RO water, rainwater, fully desalinated water etc. is remineralised with Sulawesi Mineral 8.5 until a hardness of around 7 °dH and/or a conductance of around 220 +/- 40 µS (Microsiemens) is reached. This corresponds to a slightly heaped measuring spoon (around 3 g) to 20 litres of water. Measuring spoon enclosed.