Salt water mixing-hand vs. pump

[Starkrost]

Hi all. Noob question here. I keep reading that it’s important to mix my salt water with a pump. Does that mean just drop a powerhead into my mixing container? Thanks. Sarah

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Pretty much yea. Some people use return pumps and a mixing station but a Powerheads and a mix container will also do the trick.

 

[mike550]

Hi all. Noob question here. I keep reading that it’s important to mix my salt water with a pump. Does that mean just drop a powerhead into my mixing container? Thanks. Sarah

Hi Sarah. Yes putting a power head into the container is all you need to do. Obviously place it where you can get good agitation.

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Yep! Just a inexpensive powerhead will work.

 

[redfishbluefish]

You certainly could mix by hand, but the easiest for me are using two old powerheads.....Korallia K4 and K8. The more agitation, the better. I mix 25 gallons at a time.

 

[PatW]

I find that a couple of powerheads does a good job. The more agitation the better. Some salt mixes leave residue and that will eventually gum up the powerhead. I have gotten into the habit of letting my powerheads run in 5% muriatic acid when I do a water change. But vinegar will work also.

 

[WiscoFishNut]

I still do it caveman style, measure the salt, dump it in 5 gallon jugs, heat, shake the crap out of it, heat, repeat. Usually 24 hours before I do a WC. Instant Ocean RC mixes pretty well for the most part. Eventually I'll set up a real mixing station lol

 

[Intense37754]

If I have freshwater in a jug on only mixing the 2.5g or 5g I just add salt, shake, check SG, repeat. Every salt manufacturer has different instructions to heat before or after you mix to proper PPT and if it’s Red Sea you have .5-4hrs to use. If mixing more than that then yes powerheads work good in a Brute can

 

[Jenuvio]

I currently use reef crystals and mix my salt for about 10 minutes, no heater, by hand.
Temp of the water ranges from 60-70 when it goes in, will this affect me in the long run?

All my parameters have been stable for months with these 10% water changes.


Thanks!

 

[BullyBee]

Thanks for posting this I was curious as well