HW Marinemix Reefer Salt Help

FireEMT · Sep 16, 2015

I am new to saltwater and I have been looking for measurements for the ratio of salt to water for HW Marinemix Reefer salt. Can anyone out there tell me what they measure out when making new saltwater. I was shooting for 1.026 or 35ppm. thanks

jcdeng · Sep 16, 2015

try 3 full cups to 5 gallon.

FireEMT · Sep 16, 2015

jcdeng said:
try 3 full cups to 5 gallon.

I don't mean to question responses but that seems like a lot. The box is suppose to make 160g. Calculating that out means there should be 96 cups in a box, that seems like a lot.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 16, 2015

It won't make 160 gallons at 35 ppt (sg 1.0264), only 145 gallons, according to their info.

That said, you are measuring salinity somehow, right, not just assuming a certain ratio is close enough?

jcdeng · Sep 16, 2015

on my third box, but hey, maybe my cup is off, I tried 1/2 cup to a gallon (generally ratio) to start with and find the mix to be always 1.023.

FireEMT · Sep 16, 2015

I will be measuring salinity, I was just trying to come up with a ballpark place to start. I was going to take the weight and divide it by 160 and start there but by the sounds of things I won't be close. Thanks for the info.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 16, 2015

How much are you making at once?

saltyhog · Sep 16, 2015

I have a mark on my Brute that is supposed to be 25 gallons. 15 cups gets it to 35ppt.

FireEMT · Sep 16, 2015

My tank and sump are being constructed but they should have a total volume between the two of a 150g. With 10% percent water change being around 15-20g. I was planning on filling the tank the first time from the RODI unit and adding salt directly in the tank, unless thats a problem?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 17, 2015

FireEMT said:
My tank and sump are being constructed but they should have a total volume between the two of a 150g. With 10% percent water change being around 15-20g. I was planning on filling the tank the first time from the RODI unit and adding salt directly in the tank, unless thats a problem?

That's probably OK, and many people do it, but there may be some precipitate that will stay in the tank. That is usually mostly calcium carbonate, which, of course, is not a concern except that the water may stay cloudy for a while.