mixing saltwater

[JeffJ]

Hey Guys...

I'm to the point where I need to start mixing water myself. I have space issue and am not sure the better half will let me keep big 55gal drums (or even tupperware tubs) around to mix in. I know it probably isn't ideal, but can I mix in my 5g water jugs? I have a powerhead that fits down in there. Can I put in salt, add water, and then let the pwrhd run for a day or so to cure it? I usually only do a 5 or 10 gal change at a time.

Just curious for your thoughts....Thanks,
Jeff

 

[ChuckLawson]

You can mix them in jugs (actually, a five gallon bucket would be a lot easier -- you can always then siphon it into the jugs), but you can't put the salt in first -- you have to add the salt to the water, and not vice versa.

The reason for this is that a lot of substances (such as calcium) will precipitate out of the mix as the water is added (and thus the mix is very concentrated), and form compounds that will not go back into solution later. This is also pretty much why you can't just evaporate real seawater and then reconstitute it later -- as the salinity increases, substances precipitate out in forms that won't re-dissolve afterwords.

 

[DaveJ]

Yep.. and remember... mix the salt into the water, not the water into the salt. There was some discussion on that awhile back and several people reported dissolving issues when the water was mixed into the salt instead of adding the salt to the water.

 

[JeffJ]

Thanks guys...I appreciate the good advice as always!

Want to weigh in on a brand of mix that you like best? I've seen the Seachem Reef Salt and thought I would start there. Other ideas?

 

[rcklbs]

RED SEA CORAL PRO is my preference

 

[DaveJ]

@JeffJ wrote:

I prefer Reef Crystals, it has good alk, ca and Mg levels out of the bucket, though I do need to boost Mg occasionally. Instant Ocean is really for FO, its a fine salt, but low on alk, ca and Mg, so needs to be boosted. Red Sea Pro is low in alk and really low in Mg, I used to use that but switched about a year ago. Seachem is a good salt as well. Those all run roughly the same price. Tropic Marin is a really good salt, but is rather expensive. If you have a large tank like I do with the 300, the cost per bucket makes a big difference. In a smaller tank it may change that dynamic a bit.