Saltwater mixing station

[Seasidenj]

So I'm going to build a saltwater mixing station.I see alot of people using gray rubbermaid 44 gallon trash cans is there any benefit is using a big trash can.I was thing of going smaller unless there is a advantage

 

[CC13]

So I'm going to build a saltwater mixing station.I see alot of people using gray rubbermaid 44 gallon trash cans is there any benefit is using a big trash can.I was thing of going smaller unless there is a advantage

How large is your system and how large are you water changes?

I have large 220 gallon storage tanks but I have a large system. For most, the smaller grey Rubbermaid are more than ideal because they are easily purchased (Home Depot sells them), they are light, take up little space and are food grade so it won't leach chemicals into your water.

 

[Seasidenj]

1 have a (1) 100 gallon tank and (4) 80 gallon tanks.Doing 5 gallons a day

 

[CC13]

1 have a (1) 100 gallon tank and (4) 80 gallon tanks.Doing 5 gallons a day

Do you ever do a large volume water changes? Your total volume is 420 gallons so your getting up there in size.

I like to have a large amount of salt water mixed and ready to go not just for water changes, but if I ever need to do an emergency large volume water change I can.

 

[Aquavaj]

Many go with them because they're cheap and readily available at most hardware stores. The white storage containers are much nicer but can be hard to find locally or the insane shipping costs rules out ordering online.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Depending on where you live you may be able to find clean food grade drums locally on Craig's List for pretty cheap. Just look for ones that stored distilled vinegar or something like that in them. You can clean those up fairly easily and have seen them go for as little as $15 per drum. Otherwise a large Brute trash can will work, but you will definitely want those caster rollers for them so you can move them around if needed.

 

[Seasidenj]

Do you ever do a large volume water changes? Your total volume is 420 gallons so your getting up there in size.

I like to have a large amount of salt water mixed and ready to go not just for water changes, but if I ever need to do an emergency large volume water change I can.

How long can I keep saltwater in mixing tank for.

 

[Seasidenj]

I'm going to use a pump to mix and move water around.I have a blueline 30 and a blueline 70 laying around witch one would be best

 

[SuncrestReef]

How long can I keep saltwater in mixing tank for.

I mix up about 25 gallons at a time and do small 1.5 gallon daily automatic water changes. This water lasts fine for 2 weeks in the storage tank, and can probably last longer. Be sure to keep a lid on it to prevent evaporation and contamination.

 

[Seasidenj]

Thank you I'm using red sea pro and if I leave it over 24 hours it gets cloudy

 

[CC13]

How long can I keep saltwater in mixing tank for.

Depends on the brand of salt being used and if there are any organics inside the mix. I use regular Instant Ocean because it has no organics and I could stay mixed for months.

 

[reefsofty]

Thank you I'm using red sea pro and if I leave it over 24 hours it gets cloudy

ive used red sea for years its never turned white

 

[SuncrestReef]

Thank you I'm using red sea pro and if I leave it over 24 hours it gets cloudy

Are you running a powerhead the whole time? Red Sea recommends to not run a mixing pump for more than 2 hours or you will see precipitation:

"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."

I use Coral Pro salt and keep it up to 2 weeks without any clouding. I keep is stationary in a sealed storage tank heated to 76 F.

 

[Nick C]

i've had the same question about length. Some people say that leaving salt water too long makes it lose some trace elements? Which i don't understand because nothing is there to consume it..? but everyone seems to have different opinions on it.

 

[chris k.]

I only notice my alk will drop over time. I use red sea salt. I usually mixed it the day before a water change.

 

[inktomi]

That's super weird. You'd think it would precipitate in our tanks, we mix it constantly in there!

Are you running a powerhead the whole time? Red Sea recommends to not run a mixing pump for more than 2 hours or you will see precipitation:

"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."

I use Coral Pro salt and keep it up to 2 weeks without any clouding. I keep is stationary in a sealed storage tank heated to 76 F.

 

[whittaker727]

So, if I have a 120 gallon display and a 60 gallon sump for a total of 180 gallons and I mix up an entire bucket of salt as per Randy's BRS investigates series today, and I'm doing 20 gallons per week auto water changes, the container should last me 2 months.
A) Will my salt stay mixed if I'm using the Red Sea or Tropic Marin?
B) Will I experience evaporation loss in a sealed food grade container? If so, are people using a second ATO in their saltwater mixing station?
NEWB questions to the mixing station game. Thanks

 

[Seasidenj]

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