Help making salt water

caspervtx

caspervtx

Member
My first attempt to make salt water isn't exactly a success.
I need to do a water change. Using Red Sea salt and followed the directions to make 10 gallons.
Put 10 gallons of RO water into a 35 gallon tub. Put in 2.8 pounds of salt. Threw in an off brand power head rated at 170 gph. 24 hours later and the salinity (according to the hydrometer) is 1.017-1.019 at 82 degrees.
SG of the tank is 1.023 on the same hydrometer.
Any ideas what went wrong. I need more salt but any idea how much? After putting in more salt how long do I have to wait to check the SG?
My tank needs a water change to get rid of the Nitrates in the tank. I was hoping to just do some quick water tests to confirm readings and put in the water. Now I'm stumped.

Help?
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Let's see....for 10G's i would use 5 cups of instant ocean...plus throw in a little more
try adding another 1/2 cup....and let it mix a little while
 
maryg

maryg

Member
It is SUPPOSED to be 1/2 cup per gallon. But it is usually never the case. I always have to add a little more. Sometimes a cup or two. I mix 20-30 gallons at a time.
 
zman1

zman1

Active Member
Isn't your hydrometer rated at 77F for the numeric reading? Is your tank 82 as well?
 
caspervtx

caspervtx

Member
Originally Posted by zman1
http:///forum/post/3114067
Isn't your hydrometer rated at 77F for the numeric reading? Is your tank 82 as well?
I'm not sure. New and still learning about things. But the temperature of the water mixing and the tank are both the same - 82 and some change
I'm going to try to convert a cup of salt into weight and try to figure out how much I have in there. The instructions on the bag are in pounds not cups.
Wheeeee :)
Thanks for the quick replies
 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
I would take a 1/2 dry foods measruing cup. count how many full scoops it takes to reach your 2.8 pounds.
You should have 5 half cups. If you end up with less that is your issue. add accordingly.
Lower your temps. 78 is much better
 
caspervtx

caspervtx

Member
Originally Posted by crypt keeper
http:///forum/post/3114076
I would take a 1/2 cup. count how many full scoops it takes to reach your 2.8 pounds.
You should have 5 half cups. If you end up with less that is your issue. add accordingly.
Lower your temps. 78 is much better
Thanks working that out now. And believe me if I could figure out how to lower it I would :) It was up as high as 85 over the weekend. Trying to get it to behave without having to run the AC in this room constantly. Its a window unit and it sucks power like crazy.
Lowest I had it was at 81 and that was after about 6 hours of AC. Working on getting a clip on fan working over the tank to help with cooling.
 
tank a holic

tank a holic

Active Member
is there salt in the bottom of the tub that isn't dissolved yet?
I never go by weight, I do half cups like the others said..
I add a cup of salt to a quart of water and stir it till its dissolved then add it to the bulk water
that way you know all the salt it mixing
 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by CasperVTX
http:///forum/post/3114080
Thanks working that out now. And believe me if I could figure out how to lower it I would :) It was up as high as 85 over the weekend. Trying to get it to behave without having to run the AC in this room constantly. Its a window unit and it sucks power like crazy.
Lowest I had it was at 81 and that was after about 6 hours of AC. Working on getting a clip on fan working over the tank to help with cooling.
get a chiller.
 
caspervtx

caspervtx

Member
Well I think I figured out my issues. I've never been good with weight and measures. Seems I cut my translation of ounces to pounds by half. So I only had half of what was needed.
All the comments about cups is what did it.
Thanks to everyone for helping. I'll let this percolate for a bit longer and check it. Should be able to do the change tomorrow.
 
caspervtx

caspervtx

Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3114139
Do you have lids on the tank?
Nope its wide open at the top. The room is typically warm. I didn't think it would be that warm for the water but apparently it is. With the lights off and AC on the temp in the tank hovers at 81/82. With it off it creeps to near 85. Never gotten less than 80. Lights off and AC running.
 
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