How much salt?

Simon68 · 05/15/2008, 07:58 PM

I know this is a dumb question, but I am learning and everyone here has been so helpful.
I have a 75 gallon tank and a 15 gallon sump. Instant Ocean says 1/2 cup per gallon. Do I put in 37.5 cups (for 75 gallons) or 45 cups (for 90 gallons of total water including the sump)?
Thanks.
Sorry for the stupidity.

shag26272 · 05/15/2008, 08:00 PM

is your sump full to the top? Do you have a refractometer? It wont be perfect because im sure you have an overflow alsoI would put like 40 cups then check it and adjust

demonsp · 05/15/2008, 08:02 PM

Number one , in my experiance this is a base line salt brand and upgradeing this may help in the long run.
Then you need a salinity tester to measure the level befoer and after it mixes.
Then you need to mix with a powerhead in a seperate container atleast 12 hours befoer adding to the main tank.

bertoni · 05/15/2008, 08:05 PM

It's about 1/2 cup per gallon of water in the system.

shag26272 · 05/15/2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by demonsp
Number one , in my experiance this is a base line salt brand and upgradeing this may help in the long run.
Then you need a salinity tester to measure the level befoer and after it mixes.
Then you need to mix with a powerhead in a seperate container atleast 12 hours befoer adding to the main tank.

he can mix it in the tank, I assume its a new tank and hes not doing a 100% water change

Simon68 · 05/15/2008, 08:10 PM

I also thought 1/2 cup per gallon of water in the system. Since I am starting the tank now, I mixed the first batch in the actual tank, I have 2 power heads on and mixing it. I don't have a refractometer but I have a hydrometer but I am getting all kinds of crazy off the chart readings on it, so I figured I really must have messed up?

bertoni · 05/15/2008, 08:16 PM

Swing-arm hydrometers show bad results if a bubble gets onto the arm, for example. I suspect that's the issue. The SG will be constant no matter how much salt was added. Well, the SG will be constant after all the dissolution has occurred.

I think a refractometer and some PinPoint 53 mS solution are a good investment. I use a conductivity meter, but they are more expensive.

demonsp · 05/15/2008, 08:18 PM

Its always good practice to premix but in a new tank it would be fine. You need to check in a lower flow area and 3 or 4 time in a row and remember to rinse in freash water after use. If it was just added then let it mix a little and keep checking. My hydro acted funny the first few checks.I think it needs to break in a little to remove any residue from manufactering.

Simon68 · 05/15/2008, 08:37 PM

Yup, it was bubbles getting onto the arm and causing it to rise off the charts. This place is awesome, I would have never thought of that. The bubbles are impossible to get off though, when I did, I got a reading of 1.025. Do I need to get it down between 1.020-1.024? Or is 1.025 ok?

Yes it is a new tank, of course going forward I will premix.

J.russell · 05/15/2008, 08:41 PM

1.025 is right where you want to be. My LFS keeps all his tanks at 1.026 so thats where I try to keep mine.

05/15/2008, 07:58 PM	#1
Simon68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 230	How much salt? I know this is a dumb question, but I am learning and everyone here has been so helpful. I have a 75 gallon tank and a 15 gallon sump. Instant Ocean says 1/2 cup per gallon. Do I put in 37.5 cups (for 75 gallons) or 45 cups (for 90 gallons of total water including the sump)? Thanks. Sorry for the stupidity.

05/15/2008, 08:00 PM	#2
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	is your sump full to the top? Do you have a refractometer? It wont be perfect because im sure you have an overflow alsoI would put like 40 cups then check it and adjust __________________ .

05/15/2008, 08:05 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	It's about 1/2 cup per gallon of water in the system. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/15/2008, 08:16 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Swing-arm hydrometers show bad results if a bubble gets onto the arm, for example. I suspect that's the issue. The SG will be constant no matter how much salt was added. Well, the SG will be constant after all the dissolution has occurred. I think a refractometer and some PinPoint 53 mS solution are a good investment. I use a conductivity meter, but they are more expensive. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/15/2008, 08:02 PM	#3
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Number one , in my experiance this is a base line salt brand and upgradeing this may help in the long run. Then you need a salinity tester to measure the level befoer and after it mixes. Then you need to mix with a powerhead in a seperate container atleast 12 hours befoer adding to the main tank.

05/15/2008, 08:10 PM	#6
Simon68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 230	I also thought 1/2 cup per gallon of water in the system. Since I am starting the tank now, I mixed the first batch in the actual tank, I have 2 power heads on and mixing it. I don't have a refractometer but I have a hydrometer but I am getting all kinds of crazy off the chart readings on it, so I figured I really must have messed up?

05/15/2008, 08:18 PM	#8
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Its always good practice to premix but in a new tank it would be fine. You need to check in a lower flow area and 3 or 4 time in a row and remember to rinse in freash water after use. If it was just added then let it mix a little and keep checking. My hydro acted funny the first few checks.I think it needs to break in a little to remove any residue from manufactering.

05/15/2008, 08:37 PM	#9
Simon68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 230	Yup, it was bubbles getting onto the arm and causing it to rise off the charts. This place is awesome, I would have never thought of that. The bubbles are impossible to get off though, when I did, I got a reading of 1.025. Do I need to get it down between 1.020-1.024? Or is 1.025 ok? Yes it is a new tank, of course going forward I will premix.

05/15/2008, 08:41 PM	#10
J.russell What was I thinking??? Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Norfolk Va. Posts: 738	1.025 is right where you want to be. My LFS keeps all his tanks at 1.026 so thats where I try to keep mine.