Salt mixing question

[Carl Rosleck]

Good Morning,

I realize this is most likely a dumb question but when I set up my first tank ( 32 Gallon bio cube ) I bought the water from my LFS. I have a 55 gallon tank I am getting ready to set up and I have a Bucket of Red sea 55 gallon salt as I want to learn how to mix my own water and not rely on the LFS for it.

https://www.amazon.com/Red-Sea-ARE11220-Aquarium-55-Gallon/dp/B000YIYTIC

I think it is safe to assume that I would use all of this bucket to add to the tank to get it reef ready, am I correct? Is it safe for me to add the water and have the power heads mix the salt in the empty tank? Is there a better way to do this?

Sorry if it's a dumb question but I am surprisingly stressed over this step.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Anirban]

Add the water, turn on the power head and then add the salt. You should be good as you are just filling up. If you can add a heater then add that too, it will help to mix it faster and better. Always add salt to the water.

 

[redfishbluefish]

If it's a new tank with nothing in it (like live rock) you can mix the salt directly in the tank. You want the full volume of water before you start adding the salt. The more agitation, the better. Ideally with unheated water. Once the salt totally dissolves, then heat it up.

As far as water changes, I'd recommend picking up a Brute garbage can and use this to make new water.

You'll also need a means to measure salinity and I'd recommend staying away from swing-arms and go with a refractometer made specifically for saltwater.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Add the water, turn on the power head and then add the salt. You should be good as you are just filling up. If you can add a heater then add that too, it will help to mix it faster and better. Always add salt to the water.

Actually you are better off not heating the water until everything dissolves. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but it's the calcium in the salt mix that actually dissolves much faster at cooler temperatures.

 

[Centerline]

Good Morning,

I realize this is most likely a dumb question but when I set up my first tank ( 32 Gallon bio cube ) I bought the water from my LFS. I have a 55 gallon tank I am getting ready to set up and I have a Bucket of Red sea 55 gallon salt as I want to learn how to mix my own water and not rely on the LFS for it.

https://www.amazon.com/Red-Sea-ARE11220-Aquarium-55-Gallon/dp/B000YIYTIC

I think it is safe to assume that I would use all of this bucket to add to the tank to get it reef ready, am I correct? Is it safe for me to add the water and have the power heads mix the salt in the empty tank? Is there a better way to do this?

Sorry if it's a dumb question but I am surprisingly stressed over this step.

Thanks in advance for your input.

First that's great salt. I've been using it for years with very good results. The 55gl bucket may not be enough to cover 55 gallons of saltwater mixed at 35.0 ppt (for a reef aquarium). I would go ahead and score the larger bucket. If you have a sump it certainly will not be enough.

Mixing in an empty tank is no problem.

The Redsea Pro Salt mixes very quickly and needs to be used fairly soon after mixing (within a few hours) due to it high alk and calcium levels. As you are starting a new tank with it I would just slowly add the salt over the course of a few hours, maybe 20% an hour over 5 hours. Once you have 80% of the salt in the water test with your refractometer. Then fine tune the rest of it to reach 35 ppt. If you don't have a refractometer you will need to score one for consistent results. If you dump all the salt in at once the salt will get cloudy and a substantial portion of the extra alk and calcium will fall out of solution leaving the water cloudy for hours. Moving forward when mixing batches for water changes be sure to follow the instructions and add the desired amount of salt one cup at a time.

From RedSea
-----------------
Never mix salt in an aquarium containing animals Always use clean, non-toxic utensils. 1. Prepare the quantities of salt and water for the desired salinity according to the chart. 2. Use reverse osmosis (RO) water at approximately 20°C/68°F. Always add the salt to the water. 3. Mix vigorously (without aeration) for 0.5 - 2 hours, until all of the salt is dissolved and pH has stabilized to 8.2-8.4. DO NOT mix for more than 4 hours 4. Raise the water temp to 25°C/77°F and measure the s.g./ salinity with an accurate hydrometer/ refractometer. Add salt or water as necessary to achieve the desired parameters.
----------------

I hope this helps and please post pictures of your tank and progress.

 

[Carl Rosleck]

Thank you all for the input. 2 more questions, First the tank may not have any live rock & sand in it for a few days I don't think this will be an issue, am I correct? Second I have a hydrometer https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocea...59116&sr=8-11&keywords=Salinity+Refractometer That I have been using so far to monitor the salt levels...would I be better served with this : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ES6MOQ/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1WDRKGQI4XC41&colid=12BQYHC4D87SK ? I tink it would be more specific and involve a lot less of tapping to get air bubbles out.

 

[redfishbluefish]

No problem with the tank not having rock/sand.


And yes, you want the refractometer......and that linked one looks fine. You'll also need calibration solution. Swing arm hydrometers are not the best.