How to complicate mixing salt.

GenericReefer · Nov 18, 2017

Hey guys!
So I went up to my LFS, and while getting some new salt, they gave me a tip on weighing the salt to get a more precise reading. So how many grams of IO Reef Crystal would I need for a single gallon?

Flexin · Nov 18, 2017

Note

on't let anyone else tell you how much to add and expect that to be the right amount.

Just know what you add, go slow and measure as you go. Then for the next time, you know what to start with by going with a little less than initial batch, let that mix, then add to get to your desired salinity. I normally get myself to 1.021-1.023 in the first mix then go from there. I'm sure you know, but let some time pass between adding salt and measuring. I honestly let my initial mix go overnight. Then 30-45 minutes between adding and measuring the next day. My batch is not huge but I'm mixing 15-16 gallons per water change, only what I need and that's it. Also, are you using RODI? You may have problems down the road if you use tap (again you may already know this).

If you want to go by weight, measure yourself by creating your batch. That salt will come with instructions on how much to add per gallon to get a given salinity (via a measuring cup), tare the cup on the scale, then measure what you use to get your desired salinity. Sounds interesting if you have the scale, but I would simply do this myself. Have fun!

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 18, 2017

It's 800 grams of insant ocean to five gallons of water.

Comes out perfect every single time.

On Red Sea salt products , its right on the label.

Maggie321 · Nov 18, 2017

I do 1/2 cup per gallon of IO reef crystals

Flippers4pups · Nov 18, 2017

I always start with 1/2 a cup per gallon and test once fully dissolved. Adjust as needed.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 18, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
I always start with 1/2 a cup per gallon and test once fully dissolved. Adjust as needed.

I didn't like the adjust part. Honesty , I never have to now.

Flippers4pups · Nov 18, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
I didn't like the adjust part. Honesty , I never have to now.

It's funny, most of the time if I measure precisely with a measuring cup, it's perfect every time.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 18, 2017

GenericReefer said:
Hey guys!
So I went up to my LFS, and while getting some new salt, they gave me a tip on weighing the salt to get a more precise reading. So how many grams of IO Reef Crystal would I need for a single gallon?

That can work, but is specific for a given mix since the amount of water in the mix varies.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 18, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
That can work, but is specific for a given mix since the amount of water in the mix varies.

Any idea what RC would be?
RSCP was 730 grams I believe , it's been a while.

Daltrey · Nov 18, 2017

I dump one 50 gallon bag of Instant Ocean into my 50 gallon SW mixing station. Let mix overnight and Bam! Perfect Mix!

Not exactly sure how many grams it is though.

Jake Read · Nov 18, 2017

Daltrey said:
I dump one 50 gallon bag of Instant Ocean into my 50 gallon SW mixing station. Let mix overnight and Bam! Perfect Mix!

Not exactly sure how many grams it is though.

That is one good looking mixing station.

GenericReefer · Nov 19, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
It's 800 grams of insant ocean to five gallons of water.

Comes out perfect every single time.

On Red Sea salt products , its right on the label.

What salinity did you get? I'm looking for a 1.024 sg

Hitmans reef · Nov 19, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Any idea what RC would be?
RSCP was 730 grams I believe , it's been a while.

Not sure on RC but RSCP Is 1.6 lbs. to five gallons or 717 grams to mix at 1.026. Have done this over several buckets, and it’s always close But usually there is just a little fine-tuning

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 19, 2017

GenericReefer said:
What salinity did you get? I'm looking for a 1.024 sg

I'm always 1.026. 35ppt.

Daniel@R2R · Nov 20, 2017

Good stuff. I always do 2 sorta-heaping cups to a 5-gallon bucket. Generally comes out to what I'm aiming for. I still check it to be sure before adding.

#precision

madweazl · Nov 20, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Any idea what RC would be?
RSCP was 730 grams I believe , it's been a while.

I've never weighed it but I typically need three cups of Reef Crystals for five gallons of RO/DI to mix at 35ppt.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 20, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Any idea what RC would be?
RSCP was 730 grams I believe , it's been a while.

Nope. Not that many people focus on weight mixing. I never did.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 20, 2017

FWIW, I always added an unmeasured bunch, and measured the conductivity the next day, then added more, until it got to my target.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 20, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
FWIW, I always added an unmeasured bunch, and measured the conductivity the next day, then added more, until it got to my target.

Hahaha.

Fwiw, I'm not aiming for precision, speed actually.
I just need to clean up my mess before the the wife gets home.