Making Saltwater

quickieglenn

quickieglenn

New Member
I normally get my salt water from the LFs but it is not that local (30 min) and am thinking of mixing my own and want to know the right way
Do you need to use reverse osmosis filter to get the water ready for mixing?
 
libog2fish

libog2fish

Member
What I would do!
1. get a large pail/bucket to hold your new mix in...
2. put the dsired amount of sea salt(tropic marin I use) per how many gallons it said in the directions from salt you purchased...
for me I use 2 cups per 18 litres...
3. I'd pour in a 18 litre jug of RO/DI water...
4. I use a strong pump facing downward to where I dumped the salt into...(so the water wouldn't create a storm /flood of water to your floor...
5.I'd let it mix for a good 25-45 min depending on your strength of pump ur using...
6.after the mixing is done I'd check my salinity/gravity of salt in the mix...with my refractometer...(you can also use hydrometer although refrac's are way more accurate in studies...)
should by in the .023-26 range depending on what style your eco system is going...
when I had al fish with a few corals I had the salt at .023,0.24 now I'm doing all reef and I like my salinity to sit at .025,.026...
7.I'd go ahead with my water change...
hope this helps...
I'm thinking of doing a #8.
mix a right amount into my new saltwater batch and let it sit for 30 mins...and go ahead with the water change....
but still in the works...
 
nordy

nordy

Active Member
Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2813312
It is best to let the new saltwater mix for 24 hours

Agree with subielover on this
Suggest getting a small heater to keep the mixed water as close to your tank temp as you can so there isn't any shock when you do the change.
As for actual mixing methods, I like the 5 gal. marked buckets that HD sells-they have a nice foam handle on them and are easy to see through when figuriing out just how much water you want to mix. A general measure is 1/2 cup per gallon, but always check your mix after it has cleared up so you can adjust it if necessary as libog2fish suggests.
As for using ro/di water, it is a good thing to get one yourself. They can cost a couple of hundred or more, but really pay off in the long run.
P.S. Welcome to the Boards!
 
r1v2c

r1v2c

Member
Originally Posted by libog2fish
http:///forum/post/2813286
What I would do!
2. put the dsired amount of sea salt(tropic marin I use) per how many gallons it said in the directions from salt you purchased...
for me I use 2 cups per 18 litres...
3. I'd pour in a 18 litre jug of RO/DI water...
I use instant ocean salt even though I've read some posts saying it's not that good (will change after i finish what i have). It's wierd though i have to pour my salt into the water, instead of the water into my 5g bucket with the salt ... or else my water becomes cloudy... it's like the salt doesn't dissolve propoerly or something ?!?!
 
nordy

nordy

Active Member
Cloudy water is normal when mixing up a bucket. I find after putting the salt in and starting up the powerhead, it clears up in a half hour or so.
I hate to think of the days when I used to fill the 5 gal bucket from the tap in my kitchen sink, add the salt, stir it around a few times with my hand, and pour it right into the tank.
Not good.
 
b00st3d

b00st3d

Member
Originally Posted by r1v2c
http:///forum/post/2813503
I use instant ocean salt even though I've read some posts saying it's not that good (will change after i finish what i have). It's wierd though i have to pour my salt into the water, instead of the water into my 5g bucket with the salt ... or else my water becomes cloudy... it's like the salt doesn't dissolve propoerly or something ?!?!
Mix the salt according to the directions for the brand you use.
I also add salt to my rodi water and have the pump already running in the bucket. 5 gallons at a time till I get some new 50g barrells to setup a nice holding station.
Instant Ocean is fine. All the major brands have thier positives and negatives but here is some information so you can make an informed choice.
http://reefsaltanalysis.googlepages....lysis_0208.pdf
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away a bag of salt-mix said, “mix till completely dissolved.” A young Padawan learner thought to himself “for how long do I mix it to be certain it is dissolved?” So off he went to ask his master. His master thought and then ask “young Padawan what does the bag say?” The Padawan answered, “ mix till completely dissolved”, “ there you have it!” The master replied. And off the Padawan went to mix his salt. Then the young one thought but what do I mix the salt-mix with? Back to his master he went. “Master,” the young one asks, “with what do I mix the salt with” His master thought and then replied “young Padawan what does the bag say?” The Padawan answered, “ mix till completely dissolved”, “ there you have it, it does not mater with what you I mix the salt!” The master replied. And off the Padawan went to mix his salt. The young Padawan learner thought to himself “, but for how long do I mix it.” And back to his master he went. “Master,” the young one asks, “ I still do not understand for how long to mix the salt.” The master was quiet and had a disapproving look on his face. In an instant the master leaps up and cuts off the Padawan’s head, turning to the dark-side never more a Jedi!

From that fateful day on, we young Padawan learners “mix till completely dissolved” or find bags of salt with clear instructions.
 
small triggers

small triggers

Active Member
okay,, that was funny. BUT how long did it take you to think that up,, i mean??? shouldnt you be looking at your tank?? ANYways, i use the redsea mix,,, love it.
 
subielover

subielover

Active Member
Originally Posted by GeoJ
http:///forum/post/2813583
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away a bag of salt-mix said, “mix till completely dissolved.” A young Padawan learner thought to himself “for how long do I mix it to be certain it is dissolved?” So off he went to ask his master. His master thought and then ask “young Padawan what does the bag say?” The Padawan answered “ mix till completely dissolved”, “ there you have it!” The master replied. And off the Padawan went to mix his salt. Then the young one thought but what do I mix the salt-mix with? Back to his master he went. “Master,” the young one asks, “with what do I mix the salt with” His master thought and then replied “young Padawan what does the bag say?” The Padawan answered “ mix till completely dissolved”, “ there you have it, it does not mater with what you I mix the salt!” The master replied. And off the Padawan went to mix his salt. The young Padawan learner thought to himself “, but for how long do I mix it.” And back to his master he went. “Master,” the young one asks, “ I still do not understand for how long to mix the salt.” The master was quiet and had a disapproving look on his face. In an instant the master leaps up and cuts off the Padawan’s head, turning to the dark-side never more a Jedi!

From that fatefull day on, we young Padawan learners “mix till completely dissolved” or find bags of salt with clear instructions.


Wow
 
ca161406

ca161406

Member
^^^ lol
i use two big ice chests for my water changes. one for old water, one for new. do all the mixing steps, pump the water out of my sump till it matches the amount thats in the new water. then pump in the new water. simple as that lol
oh and make sure the new water is the same temp as the tank or the salt levels may be different than wat your refrac/hydro are reading
 
V

vince-1961

Guest
For small water changes (under 30 gallons) I use a rubbermaid trash can. For bigger ones I use a 100 gallon container I have. Either way the process is the same. Start the RO filter (1 gallon per hour) however many days earlier it takes to make enough water, add salt, get drill, insert mortar mixer attachment, turn water into a spinning froth, change directions on drill and repeat several times untill the thrill has worn off and it's not fun anymore. Check salinity, adjust and re-froth until it's correct.
Then insert a pump with a venturi to add air to water, then insert 2nd pump I just happen to have laying around to move water more (and which slightly heats the water.)
I do this several days ahead of the water change.
I ought to put a heater in it.
 
quickieglenn

quickieglenn

New Member
Thanks for the answers
I am trying to put a price on my own setup or going the the LFS
In the past I kept salt for a emergency water changes, I am going to have to do a little shopping to price it up.
Thanks Again
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
There is one problem with libog2fish's system. He adds the salt, then the water. This is a serious error. By doing this, the instant concentration of salt is too high, and various insoluble precipitates will form, particularly calcium salts. Always add the salt to the water to avoid this potential problem.
 
calaxa

calaxa

Member
Going back to original question. You don't need RO/DI water but I would definitely recommend it as I think everyone who has posted would say the same. I see you are in NJ. I think someone on the NJ Reefers board is selling a unit. If you want a brand new unit, they run about $150-$200. Costco has an under sink RO unit for about $130. Everyone above suggested good methods for mixing up salt. Use a refractometer as it is much more accurate. Hydrometers also start to fail over time as the swing arm becomes stuck.
I don't see why there aren't any closer places to buy saltwater. I know most petcos sell it (don't know their quality for reef setups but their SG is 1.025 which is fine for FOWLR). If you are serious about this hobby, invest in a RO/DI. It will stop unexplained algae blooms, etc. I might be near you (but then again, Jersey is not all that small), so send me an email if you need some help
calaxa360 at gmail dot com
 
quickieglenn

quickieglenn

New Member
I live near Great Adventure
I did not know that ***** sells SW
I will look next time I am there
I traveled 30 min to my LFS (tropaquarium) is they have a awsum setup
and I trust their water
Some of the other LFS I have seen closer to home scare me when I cannot see the fish..cloudy water & salt smeared on the outside of the tanks
 
calaxa

calaxa

Member
You're not far from me at all. I'm at the xroads of 295/95/195.
*****'s water is pretty good, at least near me. They use a Marineland Saltwater Dispenser and they keep it at SG 1.025. I know because I bought my Yellow Tang from them and it's one of the best specimens I've seen. I think they use Instant Ocean as their mix so if you are running reef, you need additives for CA, etc.
I run a RO unit from my kitchen sink for convenience with 3 gallon tank. I also have a RO/DI that fills my 55G drum when I do big water changes. As for mixing up the salt, you can use it as soon as all salt is dissolved, pH stabilized (30 mins usually), and temp is adequate (depends on how much you made). Having it ready a day or 2 in advance is just being cautious, which isn't a bad thing.
If you need any help, I'm not that far. I usually go down towards Hidden Reef since it's closer than Trop is for me. Alquatics in Hamilton isn't bad either and worth a look if you come by that way.
 
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