How long do you...?

[Scribe]

How long do you let your saltwater sit after making it and before a water change? I have always mixed and changed water on the same day. I just saw something about how you should let it sit for 3 days or so after mixing. Wondering if this is why I have always had a problem with acros after a week or so.

 

[Jimbo662]

I've done changes after about 3 hrs but usually do it the next day. Some people say it's ok after an hour as long as you've got a good powerhead mixing the water good.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

How long do you let your saltwater sit after making it and before a water change? I have always mixed and changed water on the same day. I just saw something about how you should let it sit for 3 days or so after mixing. Wondering if this is why I have always had a problem with acros after a week or so.

I mix my salt in the garage which is fairly hot. I then put the water in jugs and move them into my house for overnight to get down to room temps. I have noticed salinity changes with time so I make the necessary corrections the next day and complete the water change.

 

[ws6kid]

Most of the time, people wait a day for the pH and such to match the tank. I wait about 20 minutes with ESV salt mix

 

[Reefing Madness]

As long as the water is to temp and ph is stable at DT params your ok to use it.

 

[Scribe]

I don't know how I've been in this hobby for almost 20 years, and never heard about waiting a few days. I'll have to give it a shot and see if I notice a difference. I mix with a power head, the warm the water up to the temp of the tank, but never wait a few days. Interesting. Learn/hear new stuff all the time.

 

[tinctorus]

I tend to prepare my water and let it mix with the power head for a few days, not on purpose itjust always works out that way
I'll mix up the water and then take 4 days to get motivated to actually change the water in the tank lol, sometimes being lazy is helpful after all haha

 

[racin2438]

We mix and let it mix day or so with korelias pumps, then turn on heater 2nd day, do WC that next morning.

Also not for a reason, just as a habit.

 

[tyler1503]

I let mine sit for quite a while. I fill up my bucket after doing a water change so it sits there for the entire time between water changes.
Red Sea recommends using Coral Pro it within 24hrs. It says it right on the label.

 

[NanaReefer]

Anywhere from 1-3 days for me. Depends on my mood-lol.

 

[newlyreefd]

I tend to prepare my water and let it mix with the power head for a few days, not on purpose itjust always works out that way
I'll mix up the water and then take 4 days to get motivated to actually change the water in the tank lol, sometimes being lazy is helpful after all haha

+1 lol

 

[Rob&Gab]

ESV 20-30 minutes at most. AFter doing everything correctly

 

[mcarroll]

Can't speak for the distant past (pre-1990's), but these days, unless your source water is really cold (i.e. a garage in the winter in a northern state) or the RODI water hasn't had a chance to sit and reach CO2-equilibrium with the air, it should take about 5 minutes to be completely ready for use. Heat your water, if you must, prior to mixing the salt - not during.

Most of us make RODI in batches that sit at room temperature until needed. If that's you - 5 minutes.

To see it done in 5 minutes, I made some videos for my https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-discussion/134613-water-change-day.html thread. It does help if you have a good mixing setup, so watch these two videos and do it one of these ways (which you may already be doing):

[video=youtube_share;BrjKlm0YkYE]http://youtu.be/BrjKlm0YkYE[/video]

[video=youtube_share;NaMi4PhgivQ]http://youtu.be/NaMi4PhgivQ[/video]

Hope this helps!

-Matt