Saltwater mix question

[coraler07]

Hello so I am new and have seen conflicting messages, how much salt do I add for my 73 gallon reef aquarium

 

[Idech]

You really need to read the instructions on the box for your particular salt.

What brand so people can help ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello so I am new and have seen conflicting messages, how much salt do I add for my 73 gallon reef aquarium

Add a 50 gal mix and two more cups OR
in simple terms. . . . 1/2 cup per 1 gallon

Salt Brand	Mixing Recommendation
Instant Ocean	1/2 Cup per 1 U.S. Gallon
Red Sea Salt	136g per 1 U.S. Gallon
Tropic Marin Classic Salt	1/2 Cup per 1 U.S. Gallon
Neomarine Salt Mix	134g per 1 U.S. Gallon

 

[PatW]

Most mixes use about half a cup per gallon of RODI. Add a bit less, Mix it (a powerhead in the tub really helps). When it is clear, check the salinity and add until you get the salinity that pretty near matches your display tank.

 

[vic5hands]

I weight my salt for better accuracy. I use reef crystals and for 53 gallons I use 17.5 lbs. of salt . Salt reading 35.00 / 1.026

 

[PeterC99]

Add a 50 gal mix and two more cups OR
in simple terms. . . . 1/2 cup per 10 gallons

1/2 cup per 10 gallons? Which salt mix are you using? I need to get some of that!!!

 

[PeterEde]

I weight my salt for better accuracy. I use reef crystals and for 53 gallons I use 17.5 lbs. of salt . Salt reading 35.00 / 1.026

Yep. Weigh it as per the instructions for Aquaforrest. 390gms per 10 liters or for lesser amounts 39gms per liter.
Then adjust adding more salt or RODI water as required. 33% salinity or 1.025 SG

To weigh
place measuring cup on scale and hit zero/tare to negate weight of container. Then add salt to get only weight of salt.

 

[vetteguy53081]

1/2 cup per 10 gallons? Which salt mix are you using? I need to get some of that!!!

Oops - per gallon. I hate word correct. I use Tropic Marin

Salt Brand	Mixing Recommendation
Instant Ocean	1/2 Cup per 1 U.S. Gallon
Red Sea Salt	136g per 1 U.S. Gallon
Tropic Marin Classic Salt	1/2 Cup per 1 U.S. Gallon
Neomarine Salt Mix	134g per 1 U.S. Gallon

 

[Soren]

I agree with above:
Estimate about 1/2 cup of salt per gallon of fresh water, mix, and verify salinity.
Add water or salt as necessary to adjust and write down estimation with correction factor for future reference.

For me, I typically mix my saltwater right now in a 44-gallon Brute can. I use Instant Ocean salt, though I have also used Red Sea black-bucket in the past with similar estimation measurements. I typically fill the can near the top, estimate 40 gallons, and add 24 cups of salt to get a salinity at 1.025-1.026 specific gravity. Note that I am correcting slightly over the 1/2-cup added per gallon estimation.

Hope this helps!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just reiterating that it is mix dependent because the moisture level varies by mix.

Some, like Brightwell neomarine, take less mass to reach the same salinity (not necessarily a benefit, just a fact).

 

[dedragon]

use manufacture recomendations and then a refractometer and calibration solution to get it to the exact right level

Mix up the best saltwater! A step by step beginners guide to mixing reef aquarium water

Creating artificial seawater at home is pretty simple and all you need is the salt mix, RO/DI water, a mixing container and a small pump or powerhead. Mixing Station The most commonly used saltwater mixing and storage container is a Rubbermaid BRUTE trash can. They have been used

www.bulkreefsupply.com