mixing saltwater

[tinman383]

I just got an RO/DI system and was wondering what is the best way to make my own saltwater. I have a 90gal tank and usually do 25gal water changes. I was thinking about getting a 35gal rubbermaid trash can to mix the water in, but how do I measure out 25gals in a 35 gal container if there are no increment lines in the trash can? If I was going to make 25gals on saltwater, do I have to have exactly 25 gals of water to start with or do I adjust it by adding more water or salt to get the right specific gravity? I have never made my own water so I am looking for tips and suggestions. Thanks.....

 

[thewizzrd]

go buy a 5g bucket. Fill it up and dump it in the trash can 5 times. Put a piece of duct tape or something to mark the water line. then just fill it up to that line every time and you got 25g.

 

[underthesea]

What I do I have a 50 gallon rubbermade bucket. I do a 40 gallon water change every time. I took a five gallon bucket(cleaned very well)I filled it eight times and then I marked the inside of the bucket and also the out side of the bucket by scoring it with a nail or file. From there I add depending on the salt i use (Tropic marine) 2 cups of salt to every five gallons of water. I put a good heater and power head in the bucket and let it run for about a day or two so it gets up to temp and also so that the salt desolves. Once this is done I check the salinity and if I have to adjust a little I do that by either adding more water or salt to the bucket real slow and check it very often. I hope this helps. It is easier after the first time you do this. Good luck

 

[jedimaster]

Thats pretty much what I have in mind, I'll be using my last remaining rio 1100 to mix saltwater for water changes. I won't be putting a heater in their to get it up though. I won't be using a heater though. I have a trickle bucket setup to drip into my heating chamber in my sump, so I won't notice much of a tempchange when adding the water. My setup will drip in about 10 gallons in about 3 hours.