Mixing Saltwater

[mcarroll]

Mix any salt for a minimum of 24 Hrs preferebly 48, my mixing pump is 5000gl per hr and disolves it almost within 15 minutes for 40 gal batch,the problem is even if it looks clear it is not. They have found it contains minute crystals that harm sps shutting out from the pump at a high velocity.

With respect, I've done so many water changes on so many coral tanks - my own included - with water that was mixed for less than 30 minutes (less than 10 minutes upon occasion) and absolutely no ill effects that this almost has to be a myth. (Any recollection of who "they" is?)

I do support mixing overnight/24 hrs if possible....still a good policy!

-Matt

 

[lsaint88]

Thanks EVERYONE for your help and info

 

[Razor]

I mix by saltwater in a separate tank plumped into my DT..It has a ballvalve on the inlet and outlet which I close during a water change..I drain out the water,fill it with new RODI water,dump in the salt,check my sp.gr and use a powerhead to mix it thoroughly for 24/48 hours..I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt which has no vitamins Then I open up the ball valves and my water change is done..

 

[Fatman]

I mix by saltwater in a separate tank plumped into my DT..It has a ballvalve on the inlet and outlet which I close during a water change..I drain out the water,fill it with new RODI water,dump in the salt,check my sp.gr and use a powerhead to mix it thoroughly for 24/48 hours..I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt which has no vitamins Then I open up the ball valves and my water change is done..

Now that's slick. You get an easy waterchange and have extra capacity for your tank. Very good idea. When I do my big tank I'll include that in my setup.

 

[Razor]

Few Tips to saltwater mixing:

1)Mix Salt in Water..never the opposite
2)Mix the water in a polyethylene container(you don't want any plastic poisoning)
3)Mix it for 24hours,that is called ageing of water
4)If you have vitamins in your salt donot mix it for too long(1 week or so).. Use it up before that
5)Check your specific gravity,ph,alkalinity and make sure they are within the normal values
6)Check the temperature,that is very important..Match the temperature of the mixing water to that of the tank water(tolerance 1 degree)

Hope this helps
Happy Reefing!!!

 

[AJreefs]

I let the salt mix for two days after adding it to the total water volume to prevent percipitation. I allow it to mix with small additions of salt rather than dumping your entire mix in at once to avoid any issues. Match water parameters and change water, repeat weekly, that is the routine.

 

[ricwilli]

Doesn't anyone check the Calcium and Magnusium in their newly made water? I know they are very low in IO. I check for this eveytime I make a 50 gallon drum of new water. I rather correct it in the drum than in the tank.

 

[reefer209]

so far all i have read is to match your salinity and the temperature. when i mix a new batch of water i test for my alk, ca and mag. levels. if you add the new mix to your tank and something is not in sync you wont know it until its too late. also if your new water matches your tank parameters it helps with keeping your water stable.