High speed mixer for making saltwater

[ti_lavender]

I just got my DI setup operational. I’m ready to mix my own saltwater now. When I reefed back in the early 2000s I just used a brute bin and power head. With this nano I’m doing 7 gallon water storage containers. My plan is to heat the water and circulate with small heater and power head. For mixing salt I bought a paint mixer due to the small opening to the container and weak powerhead. I realized I should research if the high speed mixing will cause issues like precipitation or something I’m not aware of. Any experience doing this or issues I should watch out for? Thanks!

 

[mfinn]

A powerhead in a bucket or barrel should be plenty.
If the powerhead you have now doesn't seem like it's strong enough, get a bigger one.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi speed mixing works fine.

Craig Bingman tested it decades ago:

How to Mix a Batch of Synthetic Seawater in Under Five Minutes

Aquarium Frontiers On-Line: September 1997: Biochemistry In The Aquarium

 

[mike550]

I just got my DI setup operational. I’m ready to mix my own saltwater now. When I reefed back in the early 2000s I just used a brute bin and power head. With this nano I’m doing 7 gallon water storage containers. My plan is to heat the water and circulate with small heater and power head. For mixing salt I bought a paint mixer due to the small opening to the container and weak powerhead. I realized I should research if the high speed mixing will cause issues like precipitation or something I’m not aware of. Any experience doing this or issues I should watch out for? Thanks!

Nice move. I don’t see why using one of those paint stirring attachments on a drill could cause an issue. If anything maybe you’ll aerate the water more. Hahah

 

[landlubber]

a lot depends on the salt mix used but i find regardless of how fast i want to mix my nsw the limiting factor to how fast i'm able to add it is clarity and most often 15-20 minutes is generally enough.

 

[Tcook]

I hope it's not a plug-in-the-wall drill.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I hope it's not a plug-in-the-wall drill.

Craig used such a drill in the article above:


The ¼-inch shaft will fit into the chuck of virtually any high-speed drill. Tighten it firmly and you are ready to go. It is important to use a high-speed drill. I had borrowed a high torque, low rpm drill from Terry Siegel that was mainly for heavy work, and it was considerably less effective at mixing the salt than a little multipurpose drill (up to 2500 rpm) that I’ve used in the past.

 

[Tcook]

It can be done. I just would rather not risk myself becoming a grounding probe.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It can be done. I just would rather not risk myself becoming a grounding probe.

Fair enough. The stirrer Craig used may not be conductive to the water, but having it on a GFCI seems prudent in any case.

 

[exnisstech]

It can be done. I just would rather not risk myself becoming a grounding probe.

Unless you submerge the drill that isn't going to happen

I still think a power head would be the way to go. I wouldn't want to stand there holding a drill mixing salt water. JMO

 

[Tired]

The powerhead you've got in there for circulation should do the job just fine, with less concern of electrocution. Shouldn't hurt anything to mix the water fast, though.

 

[mfinn]

Hi speed mixing works fine.

Craig Bingman tested it decades ago:

How to Mix a Batch of Synthetic Seawater in Under Five Minutes

Aquarium Frontiers On-Line: September 1997: Biochemistry In The Aquarium

I guess it can be done, but it doesn't make it a good idea.

In the 25 years since that article, I haven't heard of it being used, ever.

 

[ti_lavender]

A powerhead in a bucket or barrel should be plenty.
If the powerhead you have now doesn't seem like it's strong enough, get a bigger one.

The containers I'm using have an opening of <2.5" so not a lot of cheap power heads fit. But I can certainly give it a try to see how long it takes to dissolve.

Hi speed mixing works fine.

Craig Bingman tested it decades ago:

How to Mix a Batch of Synthetic Seawater in Under Five Minutes

Aquarium Frontiers On-Line: September 1997: Biochemistry In The Aquarium

Exactly my thought, great to see an old school article about it. My mixer looks slightly different but same idea. I'll be using a cordless drill, similar to when I mix paint.

I'm going to give it a go!

 

[Tired]

I guess it can be done, but it doesn't make it a good idea.

In the 25 years since that article, I haven't heard of it being used, ever.

Maybe people just don't bother, since a powerhead does the job just fine with way less trouble.

 

[homer1475]

Assuming the "mixer" is plastic and not metal, I would do it if I needed to. Good way to mix up water in a hurry.

 

[olonmv]

I hope it's not a plug-in-the-wall drill.

Corded drills are either grounded or double insulated for safety.

 

[TheBear78]

Corded drills are either grounded or double insulated for safety.

Are they IP rated?..

 

[olonmv]

Are they IP rated?..

Maybe for dust. I don’t think they’ve put out a waterproof/resistant corded drill yet.

 

[Potatohead]

I like to put my mixing container into a professional paint shaker. The people at Home Depot even know me by name now.

 

[olonmv]

I like to put my mixing container into a professional paint shaker. The people at Home Depot even know me by name now.

Nice! This made me haha.