HELP... Mixing saltwater question

[chellie4u2]

So I want to start mixing my own saltwater, I understand how to do everything and have everything i need except I am unsure what to mix it in, would a 32 gallon rubbermaid container/trash can work?? I want to be mixing about 25 gallons each time i make it?? But I am worried about the wight of the water breaking the container??

 

[reefkprz]

trash cans wrok great get a round one and if you want to make it sturdier run a couple bands of duct tape around the outside of the container, but lots of people use them withouut it. I use aquariums to mix my salt but that is because I have them on hand.

 

[larryndana]

rubbermaid BRUTE trash cans....work great.

 

[chellie4u2]

I just went out and bought a Heavy Duty Rubbermaid 32gal container..
thanks for your help!!

 

[larryndana]

 

[chellie4u2]

Ok so how would I place a heater so it doesn't heat up the rubbermaid container??

 

[azfishgal]

Originally Posted by Chellie4u2
Ok so how would I place a heater so it doesn't heat up the rubbermaid container??
You heater should have suction cups on it, just stick it to the side. I have the same trashcan and the heater never damaged the trash can. After all, you should only be setting the heater to 78, so not enough to burn it. I had my powerhead on one side pointing to my heater on the other side, so that will mix the warm water up pretty good.
Edit: Wait until your water is at the right temp before adding the salt, it will mix better in the warmer water.

 

[chellie4u2]

oh ok thanks!! I was going to just cut a hole in the center and drop it in..

 

[larryndana]

you should mix the water overnite as well.

 

[thud]

I'll add my two cents.
You can mix the salt at any time, but it will dissolve faster/better in warmer water.
Do not immediately add the water to your tank after mixing, let it sit for at least a day.
Measure the salinity before adding the water to your tank.
Using a refractometer will give you a much accurate reading than a hydrometer will.

 

[chellie4u2]

I mixed it yesterday morning and won't actually be using it till wednesday.. but i did do a water test on it last night just cause this is my first time and i wanted to see how everything was doing and everything was great but my nitrates were a little high??? I got a reading of 20 on my test kit.. Is this normal or did i do something wrong???

 

[chellie4u2]

And i did use RO water..

 

[azfishgal]

Your nitrates are high in your newly mixed saltwater? :notsure:

 

[chellie4u2]

YES, how the heck did that happen???

 

[chellie4u2]

But i thinking it will be ok to use in my tank because its the restart of my 24gal aqua pod and it has to cycle anyways so i should be ok to use it right??
I will not be using any of this water to do water changes in my existing 30 gal tank though..

 

[thud]

I wonder if your salt mix contains nitrates? You said you used RO water so it cant be from that.

 

[chellie4u2]

I have Oceanic Sea Salt mix.. that says it contains calcium and natural trace elements.. so whatever that means..

 

[thud]

Originally Posted by Chellie4u2
I have Oceanic Sea Salt mix.. that says it contains calcium and natural trace elements.. so whatever that means..

Does it actually say "Does not contain Nitrates or Phosphates" ?
My salt mix says that.
I did some searching on oceanic salt mix and it does say "A nitrate-free and phosphate-free synthetic sea salt."
I wonder where your nitrates came from!?

 

[darthtang aw]

If you used tap water (water from your faucet) I would bet that is where your nitrates came from. If you have a DI/RO system that filters your water then I would look into replacing the canister. The Nitrates were present in the water prior to mixing.

 

[chellie4u2]

It was RO filtered water from walmart, I filled the jugs and then payed for them.. so im still clueless on how this happened??