How long do you store SW before using it?

[eric b 125]

That is so weird

 

[bang guy]

some reef salts I have noticed over the years when you leave them in the mixing buckets will precipitate quite a lot, I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that its because they have elevated levels well over NSW levels that if not used for water changes (which when adding to depleted tank levels) will lower the new waters levels below that overbalance that causes precipitation. i'm guessing that is probably why red sea does that, because their salt is so chemically imbalanced that it needs to be diluted down quickly so it doesn't precipitate and throw itself all out of whack.

I agree. If you can keep the water chilled like in a basement it is less likely to precipitate.

 

[seecrabrun]

Ah it makes sense. And there isn't a cool place in my house outside the refrigerator haha

 

[mandy111]

hi, i sometimes use artificial salt mixes, in particular Red Sea Coral Pro.
On their own instructions it says to def NOT mix for any more than 4 hours ??
I have accidentally left it on for longer and you come back to a cloudy, horrid mess that I chose not to use. Maybe follow the manufacturers. instructions ?

 

[pegasus]

I suppose it depends on the salt, and the level of elements at the time of mixing. I use Reef Crystals, and have always had a problem with tan film building up in my mixing vat. I have to wash out the vat every couple of mixings. My Mag, Alk, and Cal are always elevated after a couple of days of mixing. I think a lot of the buildup is from the anti-caking agent that many salt manufacturers use. Most of the premium mixes don't use this agent, and therefor don't leave a film in the mixing container. Back to the point... I mixed 25 gallons of ASW a couple of weeks ago, and have had it heated to 78F and a power head keeping it stirred. I have noticed no more than the normal mixing buildup in the vat. Mag, alk, and cal are still well above NSW. The reason it's been heated and stirred for two weeks is because I am gradually raising the salinity in my tanks by adding a gallon of saltwater to the refugium daily. I'm at 1.025sg, and my goal is to level off at 1.026sg (35ppt), so I have a bit more to go. Not saying that there isn't any precipitation, but if there is, it's miniscule...