Mixing Salt Water

yetiman · 03/01/2008, 10:17 PM

I just completed my saltwater mixing system and have a question. Once I mix my saltwater do I need to keep it circulating untill I use it? I'm thinking it would be all right to initially mix it for 24 hours and then shut the pump off untill right before I'm ready to use it. Thanks for your thoughts

DoctorLps · 03/01/2008, 10:35 PM

Just make sure the salt dissolves into the water before you put it in the tank, I usually let it sit over night with a powerhead, but a couple of hours is fine.

bryanvin · 03/01/2008, 10:36 PM

If youve got the equipment to keep it heated and circulated, id just do that. You want ur change water to match your Dt's water as closely as possible. Dont know the science/chemistry behind it all, but from evryone ive spoken with on here, lfs, and books, change water should be premixed at least a day before and kept oxygenated by use of powerhead and airstone, and obviously use heater to keep the change water as close to your DT's water params.

And besides, if you've got the equipment to do so, why not, whats it like an extra $1.00 a month to run 10 extra watts for a small powerhead and heater.

emoore · 03/01/2008, 11:24 PM

Let it circulate until you need to use it.

rbursek · 03/02/2008, 08:35 AM

You do not need to keep it heated and moving all that time, a day when first mixed, and then cover it, and before you use it heat to tank temp and have water movement while reheating.

joesfiddy · 03/02/2008, 09:14 AM

i always have a heater and powehead on at all times

Fedcopmike · 03/02/2008, 09:22 AM

The key to proper water changes and salt dissolving is checking the PH of the water. It could take up to 3 days of circulation for the salt to dissolve and the PH to rise to what you keep your tank at.

jonbry123 · 03/02/2008, 03:50 PM

Definitely make sure the SG, PH and temperature match your tank. A drop or upswing in these parameters can effect your animals especially if there is a wide divergence in any of these items particularly for inverts such as shrimp and starfish. I use RO/DI water and have an air pump and heater in the bucket I use the mix new water and let it run for two days before doing the water change.

Scott

03/01/2008, 10:17 PM	#1
yetiman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oshkosh WI Posts: 239	Mixing Salt Water I just completed my saltwater mixing system and have a question. Once I mix my saltwater do I need to keep it circulating untill I use it? I'm thinking it would be all right to initially mix it for 24 hours and then shut the pump off untill right before I'm ready to use it. Thanks for your thoughts

03/01/2008, 10:36 PM	#3
bryanvin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 111	If youve got the equipment to keep it heated and circulated, id just do that. You want ur change water to match your Dt's water as closely as possible. Dont know the science/chemistry behind it all, but from evryone ive spoken with on here, lfs, and books, change water should be premixed at least a day before and kept oxygenated by use of powerhead and airstone, and obviously use heater to keep the change water as close to your DT's water params. And besides, if you've got the equipment to do so, why not, whats it like an extra $1.00 a month to run 10 extra watts for a small powerhead and heater. __________________ Tank started 12/01/07 Tiger Goby Coral Banded Shrimp Atlantic Flower/Rock Anemone 2 Ocelaris Clowns Coral Beauty Blue Leg Hermits Black Sea Cucumber Current Tank Info: 46g bowfront, 90 lbs live rock, 45 lbs live sand, Remora hang on skimmer, 2 Koralia # 2's, 2 x 96 watt 10,000k dual dayltight/actinic PC's, 2 phosphate reactors (one carbon/one phosban)

03/02/2008, 09:14 AM	#6
joesfiddy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Morris IL Posts: 518	i always have a heater and powehead on at all times __________________ 250 dd, 180 reef tank 100 gal sump, 75 reef tank 30 gallon sump, 40 gal frag tank, 12 gal nano Current Tank Info: 100 gal long reef, 75 gal reef, 40 gal frag tank

03/02/2008, 03:50 PM	#8
jonbry123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: allentown, pa Posts: 581	Definitely make sure the SG, PH and temperature match your tank. A drop or upswing in these parameters can effect your animals especially if there is a wide divergence in any of these items particularly for inverts such as shrimp and starfish. I use RO/DI water and have an air pump and heater in the bucket I use the mix new water and let it run for two days before doing the water change. Scott __________________ Bryan "You can swim all day in the Sea of Knowledge and still come out completely dry."-Norman Juster Current Tank Info: 300gl FOWLR/155glRT

03/01/2008, 10:35 PM	#2
DoctorLps Moved On Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 73	Just make sure the salt dissolves into the water before you put it in the tank, I usually let it sit over night with a powerhead, but a couple of hours is fine.

03/01/2008, 11:24 PM	#4
emoore Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 570	Let it circulate until you need to use it.

03/02/2008, 08:35 AM	#5
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	You do not need to keep it heated and moving all that time, a day when first mixed, and then cover it, and before you use it heat to tank temp and have water movement while reheating.

03/02/2008, 09:22 AM	#7
Fedcopmike Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Central CT Posts: 376	The key to proper water changes and salt dissolving is checking the PH of the water. It could take up to 3 days of circulation for the salt to dissolve and the PH to rise to what you keep your tank at.