Salt Q:

[slofish]

Ok, ive got a 25 gal container to mix saltwater in.
mixed up 20 the other day, used up 10 today.
Anyone see a problem (aside from circulating, heating and aerating for another couple days) in adding more freshwater and more salt mix into this batch? I dont, but it never hurts to double check.

 

[dreeves]

Nope...I do it all the time...you should reconsider using the air in the container too...it can precipitate the calcium...

 

[aarone]

aerating the water is definately a good thing. It wont precipitate the calcium. It might in fact lower the calcium if there is not enough mixing time and oxygen in the water. Just a thought.
aaron

 

[dreeves]

Running air in your water can precipitate the calcium...
Whether it is a bad thing or not is an individual decision...most usually supplement the CA anyways...if you are using RO/DI water...the PH is usually lower in the water...thus creating conducive conditions for the calcium to be precipiated...along with the increased O2.
One of the "big" guys on here did a post about the precipitation of calcium...cant recall who it was though.

 

[aarone]

just a thought but, why would the ph be lower in ro water than regular water? arent they both a neutral ph of 7.0?
aaron

 

[cincyreefer]

tap water is usually buffered high for better transport in piping. RO is stripped of everything in the water and therefore has an equal balance of OH- and H+ ions.

 

[slofish]

ditto, ive always thought aerating was a good thing. As for the ph, im just gonna use some buffer to get it set to 8.2.
Dont know if it makes any diff, but im mixing reef crystals. This is my first batch using this stuff and they dont look like crystals!!! More like salt if u ask me