shortest time you can make SW

B

BigMonkeyBoy

Whats the shortest time you can make salt water?

I have 50 gallons of it with a mag 12 mixing it.

I will normally wait 24 hours with a mj1200 but I have issues going on with my take that I cant pin down so im going to do 20% water changes every day this week to clear out what ever is going on.
 
It takes me about 1/2-3/4 of a day to fill the barrel with RO/DI. After that, I usually wait about 2-3 hours for all the salt to mix, then it takes about an hour to pump out 55 gallons of water and put the same amount back in. The whole time my wife gripes about the furniture dollies with 55 gallon drums on them sitting in the living room. :(
 
I have used fresh saltwater right after mixing and after bringing it up to temperature. I also have an airstone bubbling while it is mixing. I have seen no adverse reactions in the tank when I have done so.
 
Ive been in a bind and done it as soon as mixed too...lots of air as mixing. As long as ph was not too far off, i used it (but not best practice :wink: )

I believe ph is your worst enemy in this case.
 
I have done that too for emergency, but I have only mix my own water for 2-3 weeks now..( I have 3 saltwater tank).

I used a pretty big air pump with 12" air stone and 2 maxi jet 1200 in a 30 gallon tub. Test the water right after and everything is right on target...

Stan
 
It really depends on the salt. For example tropic marine pro is a great salt, but just out of the mix it can give you funny readings. If you talk to the tek guys they will tell you airate for 24 hours
If you read instant ocean buckets, they make no mention of premixing, and almost come out and say there is no need to airate.

Having said that I do mine Reef Crystals at least 24 hours ahead of water change time. I never use the entire 60 gallon tank in changes and so what is left over sits and mixes until I use it up.
 
Aeration allows the pH to stabilize.....

I'm sure there are other reasons, but that's the reason I've always heard...
 
Give that man a star

That is exactly why you do it. Give it a try, check your PH on some newly mixed salt water. Then airate the heck out of about a gallon for a few hours and check it again.
 
I've used fresh-mixed too, but only in an emergency. Usually, 24 hours is the time limit. I've heard Rick say he mixes his at least a week :wink:

Since you are only changing 20% at a time, and there are powerheads in the tank, I don't think there will be a problem - unless you are using Oceanic. That particular brand can cause an algae bloom.
 
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