new salt water waiting time

[pohtr]

Since I have no extra power heads yet, with just occasional stirring by hand, how long should I let the new salt water sit before doing my water change? Is 24 hrs or so enough? No visible salt is resting on the bottom.

 

[airforceb2]

The point of letting the salt sit with a powerhead is to aerate the solution. Providing oxygen to the mixture helps stablize the ph.

 

[us~^>shark]

I'm not sure what the "right answer" is, but as soon as mine was mixed and sitting for a couple of hours, I put it in with no problem. Since then, I've begun to use a power head and slowly made the new water over a few days.

 

[pohtr]

Can you use one of those little air pumps with an airstone? It stablilzes the pH?..I thought using an airstone changed or messed with the pH?

 

[bigarn]

I would think the air bubbles would keep the salt particles in suspension longer, therefore taking a longer time to dissolve. IME 24hrs is fine when using a PH.

 

[dhughesz28]

Not to hijack your thread, but I have a related question...
I am using a 10gal with a small max-jet to mix salt water. I have the venturi air tube hooked up and am using it on a low setting to aerate the salt water. Is this bad since someone just mentioned that the bubbles keep the salt in suspension?
Can I rely on a turbulent water serface only to aerate the water, or is it OK to keep using the venturi?? :notsure:
:happyfish

 

[airforceb2]

I would ditch the venturi hose. It cuts down on your gph that the pump puts out and just aim the powerhead towards the surface a little bit.

 

[pohtr]

uh....what's a venturi hose??

 

[airforceb2]

The plastic hose coming from the outlet of the PH.

 

[pohtr]

I think I don't get it....
What's the difference between using the venturi hose from the PH and using a PH to stir up the water?

 

[airforceb2]

The hose draws air in to the water mixture and removing it will reduce the amount of air bubbles and increase the water flow.

 

[dskidmore]

I don't think the venturi will hurt anything. It's not like it's your display tank where bubbles are a bad thing. Using an airstone works about as well as a powerhead for mixing up saltwater. Both methods stir up the salt until it disolves, then give the water a chance to mix with the air and come to a balance. The saltwater will absorb or release carbon dioxide until it reaches a chemically stable balance. At that point you remove the airstone or powerhead, and let anything that didn't disolve settle out before using the water.

 

[airforceb2]

I stand corrected...I thought you wanted to slowly introduce air to the water. Thanks for clarifying Skid!!

 

[dskidmore]

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I am no expert; but I've heard both methods recomended.