How much does water temperature affect reef chemicals solubility?

[nim6us]

With the winter months upon us I find often that RO water I store in the garage is 30F-50F (depending on the day). The two main things I mix up is kalkwasser and Tropic Marin AFR. I'm curious when I bring water in from outside if I should wait until the water is closer to room temp before mixing? Or is that temp range of 30F-50F negligible when it comes to chemicals solubility.

 

[Subsea]

Thermodynamics 101 & Fluid Mechanics 101. Temperature & pressure are the two main factors in both gas solubility & solids solubility in water.

 

[nim6us]

Right.. that's what Google told me

However I've got into the weeds before overcomplicating things and was curious if I was doing that now. If I mix kalk powder in 30F water is there any detriment as opposed to mixing it in 70F water? i.e. loss in potency, or the solution not mixing to full saturation, or just an increased mix time?

 

[taricha]

I find that my water at 30F dissolves almost nothing. It also is really difficult to pour out of the container.
sorry. couldn't resist.

 

[nim6us]

HaHa! Sorry I’ve been living in Europe so long I was trying to list the temp in Fahrenheit to be more accessible. But you are correct at 30F I would have a block of ice!!

Let me rephrase, if the water was 40F would there be a detriment vs 70F

 

[Snoopy 67]

Kalk will dissolve better in "cold" water better than warm water.

 

[nim6us]

Kalk will dissolve better in "cold" water better than warm water.

Ohhh interesting! I always presumed the opposite. Glad I asked!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ohhh interesting! I always presumed the opposite. Glad I asked!

The opposite is more often the case, as for most alk supplements, but plenty of chemicals have higher solubility at lower temp like calcium hydroxide does.