Salinity question

[TEX]

I tried searching for this, but couldn't find a specific answer with regard to application:

I've noticed and since learned that change in temperature affects salinity. So when I mix salt for a water change at room temperature, but goes into my tank that's 78 degrees (or I heated it prior to going in the tank) the salinity would obviously change. how do you account for this when mixing salt, or is it not drastic enough as to make enough difference? or do I HAVE to mix salt with a heater on the whole time to keep accurate salinity?

Maybe #reefsquad can help?

Thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

it should not be significant but try to mix at similar temperature to your tank. It will be close when added to tank at temperature. I add to the sink with hot water, the bucket to equalize temps then recheck before adding.

 

[Billldg]

I use a heater in my mixing cans mainly so it matches the temp of the tank and not shock the tank when I do a water change. Temp does effect salinity, so raising the temp leaves less to guessing.

 

[TEX]

it should not be significant but try to mix at similar temperature to your tank. It will be close when added to tank at temperature. I add to bucket in sink with hot water to equalize temps then recheck before adding.

That's a great idea!

 

[TEX]

I use a heater in my mixing cans mainly so it matches the temp of the tank and not shock the tank when I do a water change. Temp does effect salinity, so raising the temp leaves less to guessing.

I think that be what I do when mixing just to be safe. I read somewhere that heating can affect how well it mixes, but I guess if I'm mixing long enough that becomes negligible.

I'm guessing if I store it without a heater I can just heat it back up before a water change to match again?

 

[mike550]

I tried searching for this, but couldn't find a specific answer with regard to application:

I've noticed and since learned that change in temperature affects salinity. So when I mix salt for a water change at room temperature, but goes into my tank that's 78 degrees (or I heated it prior to going in the tank) the salinity would obviously change. how do you account for this when mixing salt, or is it not drastic enough as to make enough difference? or do I HAVE to mix salt with a heater on the whole time to keep accurate salinity?

Maybe #reefsquad can help?

Thanks!

I can’t speak to refractometers but the Hanna salinity checker incorporates the temperature as part of its salinity measurement.

 

[TEX]

I can’t speak to refractometers but the Hanna salinity checker incorporates the temperature as part of its salinity measurement.

That's what I'm using actually! But the salinity itself still changes with temperature fluctuations, even with it being "accounted for" in a reading, which was more my question I guess (unless I'm misunderstanding something).

For instance, when I added water to my tank at first the salinity was measuring at 36ppt but once it was heated it was closer to 35ppt

 

[BeMoto]

Its handy to keep a spare heater around in case of something goes wrong with your tank heater.

Its alot easier to mix it with a set heater than mixing hot/cold water and trying to get salinity right as well.

 

[saltyhog]

I think that be what I do when mixing just to be safe. I read somewhere that heating can affect how well it mixes, but I guess if I'm mixing long enough that becomes negligible.

I'm guessing if I store it without a heater I can just heat it back up before a water change to match again?

The way I get around that is to put 90% of the required amount of salt mix in when the water is room temp and then heat it up before adding what it takes to get it to proper salinity at my usual tank temp.

 

[mike550]

That's what I'm using actually! But the salinity itself still changes with temperature fluctuations, even with it being "accounted for" in a reading, which was more my question I guess (unless I'm misunderstanding something).

For instance, when I added water to my tank at first the salinity was measuring at 36ppt but once it was heated it was closer to 35ppt

That’s really interesting. I know that the temp moves around quite a bit and I don’t read salinity until the hourglass stops flashing. Lately I’ve been mixing at 65-70F and when I warm it up to 75-ish I don’t notice a salinity change.

 

[TEX]

That’s really interesting. I know that the temp moves around quite a bit and I don’t read salinity until the hourglass stops flashing. Lately I’ve been mixing at 65-70F and when I warm it up to 75-ish I don’t notice a salinity change.

Could it be because I'm reading it in PPT instead of Specific gravity?

 

[Mmcghee102485]

I had the same question/problem. Save yourself time and frustration and get a heater for mixing.

 

[Super Fly]

I think that be what I do when mixing just to be safe. I read somewhere that heating can affect how well it mixes, but I guess if I'm mixing long enough that becomes negligible.

I'm guessing if I store it without a heater I can just heat it back up before a water change to match again?

Some salt brands like Fritz require you to raise water temp prior to adding/mixing their salt. ALso note that the temp of refractometer can affect salinity reading. Even though mine says ATC (automatic temp correction), readings are different when refractometer temp changes which is why I keep mine on 1F of house instead of basement where I mix water.
When calibrating refractometers, some folks even have their calibration fluid container sit in tank water to match temp prior to using calibration fluid.

 

[TEX]

I had the same question/problem. Save yourself time and frustration and get a heater for mixing.

Good call, that's what I'm going to do

 

[TEX]

Some salt brands like Fritz require you to raise water temp prior to adding/mixing their salt. ALso note that the temp of refractometer can affect salinity reading. Even though mine says ATC (automatic temp correction), readings are different when refractometer temp changes which is why I keep mine on 1F of house instead of basement where I mix water.
When calibrating refractometers, some folks even have their calibration fluid container sit in tank water to match temp prior to using calibration fluid.

I like that idea of letting it sit in tank water for calibration. Can you elaborate a little bit on how that would affect the reading when measuring new salt?

 

[Mmcghee102485]

Good call, that's what I'm going to do

you won’t regret it, good luck!

 

[Super Fly]

I like that idea of letting it sit in tank water for calibration. Can you elaborate a little bit on how that would affect the reading when measuring new salt?

It's letting the "calibration fluid container" sit in tank water so the calibration fluid is same temp as tank water when you calibrate refractometer.