Microwave water ok?

[coralgazer]

Once my batch of saltwater is mixed (I use instant ocean), is it okay to microwave a portion of it to warm up the batch? or does microwaving harm the saltwater in some way?

 

[Chameleon]

its fine, microwaves make the molecules spin, IR and your normal heat makes them vibrate. Just different ways of adding kinetic energy

 

[johnstonstms3]

Feed microwave water to a plant and watch what happens. :bigsmile:

 

[Kawicivic]

Feed microwave water to a plant and watch what happens. :bigsmile:

snopes.com: Microwaved Water - See What It Does to Plants

 

[coralgazer]

I am concerned with what it might do to the salt crystals, not the water. I mean once it is mixed, can you heat some in the micro?

 

[TulsaTye]

If I'm in a hurry I pour mine in a 5 gal jug and throw it in the shower under hot water for 5 min or so!

 

[Aquaph8]

I run mine in a trash can with a pump and the heat from the pump will warm it up while mixing the salt. Mag pumps work great for this.

 

[caudill187]

I run mine in a trash can with a pump and the heat from the pump will warm it up while mixing the salt. Mag pumps work great for this.

+1 heat mine while mixing it

 

[Isoprene]

Once NaCl is dissolved there isn't much that can be done in terms of heating (other than evaporation, which causes the particles to reform crystals) to change it. All your doing is adding energy, in terms of how it affects other things in your water (depending on where you got water from..RO/DI....tap..distilled...store) and WHAT your microwaving it in would be more concerning questions imo.

 

[RalphsReef]

+2, no need for a heater in the Brute trash barrel when you mix a batch of new SW with a Mag pump. Nice side effect.

I run mine in a trash can with a pump and the heat from the pump will warm it up while mixing the salt. Mag pumps work great for this.

 

[coralgazer]

Am using RODI water, instant ocean and a glass pyrex container to nuke it. From what I am reading, sounds okay?

 

[Pkunk35]

personally i don't think you should heat the water in this manner. If me i would just let it come to room temp and then add to the tank.

 

[Isoprene]

I dont see it really being a problem but im going to +1 the above just to be safe, let it come to room temp and add it you really cant go wrong there, how many gallons are u adding to what size tank?

 

[EpicWin]

I just have a spare 300 watt heater I put in the mixing jug. It will heat the water in just a couple of minutes. Microwaving is something I wouldn't chance and I actually know quite a bit about the topic. I have a degree in biology with a minor in chem and physics. I can see a couple of possible issues, the biggest being the container that it is microwaved in

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Salt will mix much better if the RO/Di water is heated prior to mixing. You could microwave (or boil on stove) some RO/DI water, add back to your mixing reservoir, then mix salt.

 

[jackers]

I do a 15 gallon water change every weekend. I use a tub from lowes with an RO/DI auto shutoff float, pump, digital thermometer and an $18 cobolt heater. Mix the salt and turn on the pump/heater over-night. That seems a lot easier than microwaving water to bring to temperature.

 

[always reefin]

I don't think you should use microwave, just my opinion. Use a spare tank heater to heat water before mixing, works fine