How do you mix your new saltwater?

[Dowtish]

This discussion came up recently and I felt that it was something that needed to be looked into. Everyone has their preferred choice of salt. Some of these salt mixes contain much more elements and chemicals than others. Some folks actually rely on what is in the salt mix to help maintain their levels of cal and alk, as others try to find a mix that doesnt boost or drop the levels they currently require in their system. And we all have our own methods for the amount of water we change and the time schedule that we do them.

I have always seen that people will say they prefer a salt that mixes quickly and clearly and does not leave a residue in the mixing container. So when it comes to mixing with a salt that has higher levels of calcium and magnesium etc, we need to look at what exactly is happening when all of those chemicals begin to mix with the water and the salt itself. I for one only do 5 gallon WC's at a time, and dont mix up much more than that when I prepare my saltwater for WC's. I do this for my own reasons, but one thing that I dont do is let the water mix for any longer than 30 minutes and I dont use a high powered pump that will put off any heat while mixing. The fact that I only change 5 gallons and I dont try to get the water to the same temp as my tank is because it will not effect the temp of the system at such a small amount. And also, if you use a high powered pump which will warm the water or if you use a heater, you are more than likely causing the chemicals in your salt to precipitate out causing the water to be cloudy, and that is where most of the brown buildup comes from. The level of the amount that actually precipitates out of the salt is more than likely not too much of a concern, as it will be on such on a low level that it really wont matter in the end. But to avoid losing any of those trace elements and to avoid the build up in your mixing container you might want to reconsider how you mix your new saltwater and for how long before you use it.

Here is a video that talks about this very thing.
[video=youtube;UlIHJ02NaKk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlIHJ02NaKk[/video]

 

[poolkeeper1]

Interesting, I will try that on my next water change as i have red sea salt followed similar mixing steps but did run a pump to mix longer than 2 hrs b4 using the water. You learn something new all the time in this addiction....
Bill

 

[NanaReefer]

I've been mixing using a power head and heater for 4 years now. Only time I've ever gotten the "brown residue" is when the salt was added to quickly to very cold water. Otherwise I've never had any issues. Oh and I do let it mix/sit like that sometimes for days. The container does have a tight fitting lid.

 

[.AcroKiller.]

Chris I mix my Red Sea just like the video and use it right away I notice that if you store it with a power head for a few days the bucket gets coated with a brown residue

 

[.AcroKiller.]

Also I don't use a heater for to the water in my rodi storage stays at the same temp as my sump

 

[Railcar79]

I got 2buckets downstairs, I fill them with water, add my salt and drop in a powerhead. When I want to use it I turn back on the powerhead and heater till it hits temp and use it

 

[pickupman66]

when I have done water changes on my current tank it has been about a 25 or 50 gallon change. I filled my RO/DI tank with water and added a big pump to mix it up. it mixes just until I can see the pump at the bottom of the well. I then pump out the sump the required amount and then pump from teh chamber into my sump. change done. worst one is if I have to do it in the winter. then I have to heat 50 gallons up. YIKES>

 

[NeveSSL]

That is really interesting. Thanks for sharing, Chris.

Brandon

 

[schooleyosis]

Thanks for sharing. I've always been under the impression it needed to mix for at least 24 hours before adding to the tank due to the chemicals reaction with each other.... I do 15 gallon WC's every other week with a pump an heater in the bucket to mix. Always mixes clear and never no residue brown or white. I use Red Sea salt, not the pro....

 

[Railcar79]

Only time I have ever had real residue was when I was trying to bump up salinity after my wife did a water change without salt. 2 gals water with 7 gals worth of salt left a film.

 

[mrs.nanoreef]

I have a 2.5g jug that I managed to get a korallia nano in for mixing. I don't use a heater because my rodi water is in 5g jugs that are room temp and I never see a drop in my tank temp when all is said and done. I put in my 1 1/4 cup of salt, then the water, and then plug it in. I do this after every water change so that when the time comes to do it I have no excuse, the water is already made. I spend maybe 15 min tops on one water change process. Some times I do them more than once a week, but never less. No residue that I've noticed. I use tmp salt.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[nitro'sreef]

good info

 

[Volitans67]

Very interesting!

 

[p woodard]

I put water in a 55 gal barrel put the salt in the barrel pick it up and shake it for about 30 to 45 min and start doing my water change lol yeah right I can see me doing that can you lol

 

[schooleyosis]

I put water in a 55 gal barrel put the salt in the barrel pick it up and shake it for about 30 to 45 min and start doing my water change lol yeah right I can see me doing that can you lol

Sounds like a good work out!!! You'll be on the next tough man competition for sure!

 

[JustinC]

I usually let it mix overnight. I've been using salinity and I do usually have some white residue. No heater, just a power head. I previously used Red Sea and never had residue from it.

 

[Dowtish]

I put water in a 55 gal barrel put the salt in the barrel pick it up and shake it for about 30 to 45 min and start doing my water change lol yeah right I can see me doing that can you lol

Keith likes to work harder.....not smarter....:der:

 

[p woodard]

Keith likes to work harder.....not smarter....:der:

Who is I was smart see what I mean lol

 

[shellynjason]

I've been mixing using a power head and heater for 4 years now. Only time I've ever gotten the "brown residue" is when the salt was added to quickly to very cold water. Otherwise I've never had any issues. Oh and I do let it mix/sit like that sometimes for days.

I mix similar to this ... with red sea it states not to mix for over 4 hours so If I let it sit for over a day I turn the power head off. And I am usually making 12 or so gallons.

Great thread I learned alot.