YOur process of making seawater

[skooby]

Just curios as to what kind of buckets, tests done, if you use airaters, power heads or what. Also how long do you airate if you do before doing water change?

 

[buzz]

I go to the LFS and have them fill some buckets with Catalina Ocean Water.
Then I cut the sg back to 1.023 by adding some RO water.

 

[nm reef]

I mix 10 gal of water in a plastic container set up for that specific purpose...I adjust the SG to match my reef and also adjust the temp to match. I use a power head to circulate and let it settle for 24-48 hours before doing a water change. I've tested the ph/calcium/alkalinity before but after several tests showed basically the same results I no longer test just let it mix/circulate/stabalise and change the water as needed. I normally change about 10 gal in my reef about once a month. I did use a air pump to airate the water but found that it tended to cause the calcium to settle out of the water....the air pump always left a sludge like debris and after I quit using it the sludge is much less. Now all I use is a powerhead to keep it circulated.

 

[dpittman]

I have to fill 2 big 44 gallon containers - each one has a pump in it - then add the salt, calcium, etc,. I don't always wait 24 hours but I try too!

 

[i like fish]

NM, you only change 10 gallons a month? I am changing 10 gallons a week on my 125, is that overkill?

 

[dpittman]

How stocked is your tank - I would say 10 gallons a week is probably perfect. How do your fish and critters look - cause there is your answer.

 

[vasilithegreek]

I have a stupid question and cant find out the answer for myself...the only reason im asking is so i start off good and not bad.....i have bought the instant ocean 10 gal boxes 5 of them for a 50 gal tank....i was wondering do i use all of the boxes for the 50 gal tank...it dosnt say how much to put in a buckett or anything thanks

 

[skooby]

I believe the INSTANT OCEAN is 1/2 cup per 2 gal of water. It really should say, maybe you overlooked it. Look again, or ask the LFS where you bought it.

 

[randy 12]

Instant Ocean is 1/2 cup per gallon - but it's on the low side, about 1.019 or 1.020

 

[dreeves]

vasilithegreek, if you already have deco, rocks (LR or otherwise), substrate, etc in the tank, your tank volume is no longer 50 gallons. Chances are, it wasn't exactly 50 gallons to begin with, whether more or less, it was probably rounded.
It is easier to pre-mix the water in a seperate container and then add it to the tank versus trying to mix it in the tank. A bucket is easier to correct then a full tank. Also, mix lean and add to specs. After a couple of buckets, you will pretty much know how much salt you need.
I use a 32 gallon, new, trash can. I pre-measured and marked on exterior of can in 5 gallon increments. I fill it to the level I need, usually 25-30 gallons, add a slightly less then actually needed amount of salt. Let the air and a powerhead do the mixing and let it set for a couple of hours. The longer you can let it set the better. Gives the gasses involved a chance to equalize out. Then I pump it into the two tanks.

 

[bang guy]

I fill a 32 gallon Rubbermaid Trash Container with 25 gallons of well water (not recomended for most applications). I drop in an airstone.
The next day I remove the airstone and slowly add 10 scoops (?? 15 cups ??) to the water while stirring it with a plactic propeller turned with my 19.2 volt Anniversary edition Craftsman Drill
After mixing I drop in an AquaClear 802 powerhead.
The next day I swap out 25 gallons of water.

 

[mlm]

I use a 5 gallon bucket and put 4.5 scoops (forgot of much that is) of Red Sea salt and 5 gallons of RODI water and then drop in a heater and a powerhead. Let this sit over night and mix up then I usually do a water change on saturday morning before the lights come on in my tank.

 

[vasilithegreek]

thanks for the info guys

 

[causeidm]

I fill a 5 gallon jug the day before, thow a power head in it and some kent ammo detox. Next day I drain 5 gallons into a bucket then pour the jug in.

 

[slothy]

Originally posted by Bang Guy
I fill a 32 gallon Rubbermaid Trash Container with 25 gallons of well water (not recomended for most applications). I drop in an airstone.
The next day I remove the airstone and slowly add 10 scoops (?? 15 cups ??) to the water while stirring it with a plactic propeller turned with my 19.2 volt Anniversary edition Craftsman Drill
After mixing I drop in an AquaClear 802 powerhead.
The next day I swap out 25 gallons of water.
why are you waiting a day to add the salt ?

 

[maroonclownfan]

In regards to Bang Guy's post:
My guess would be to precipitate out any minerals in the "well water" through the gas exchange before mixing in the salt. Just a guess though.
I mix my salt in 5 gal. bucket
stir it up well with a long wooden spoon.
Don't usually let it sit too long, impatient I guess.
I am going to start mixing up a batch ahead of time and circulate it for 24 hrs from now on. This might be a reason for my algae outbreak.
MCF

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by slothy
why are you waiting a day to add the salt ?
When the well water comes out of the faucet it has a severe gas imbalance. This is also true for tap water and quadrupaly (sp?) true for RO/DI water. I aerate the water 24 hours to balance out the CO2, Nitrogen, and Oxygen. Salt mixes are tested with water that is in a state of gas equilibrium, not in water deficient of CO2 for example. I think an hour of aeration would be fine, but I wait a day just out of habit. The water from my well is also REALLY cold. Rather than heat it I just let it sit with the airstone and it warms up.

 

[maroonclownfan]

Makes sense!!

 

[vasilithegreek]

good method of stirring up the salt....i went to the home depot and got this paint stir that you hood up to a drill....it has all the plastic fins all over the stir...i went and put the salt in my tank empty of any sand or rock work...i added the right amount it said on the bag in a 50 gal tank and as i had the drill in the water and pouring the salt in it took 30 seconds before the tank completly cleared up...i think this is better than taking a wooden spoon...and it works in the regular 5gal bucket..it was great