Water Changes..

SSpiro · 03/19/2008, 06:52 AM

..are preformed with pre-mixed salt water, correct? Not RO/DI fresh?

I'mRisenAquaRat · 03/19/2008, 06:57 AM

correct

risin · 03/19/2008, 07:00 AM

RO/DI mixed with salt.

You don't have to buy saltwater if that is what you were implying.

iwishtofish · 03/19/2008, 08:59 AM

Aside from helping to prevent the buildup of bad chemicals in your tank that aren't successfully removed by other means of filtration, saltwater changes will replenish the important trace elements that many organisms in a reef tank need to thrive. One example might be iodine, which is necessary for shrimp to molt successfully. Other important elements are Calcium and Magnesium. These elements are added to the salt mix by the manufacturers, and can be found in different concentrations depending on the maker.

When mixing saltwater, many people use a heater and a powerhead to bring the circulating water up to tank temperature before adding the salt mix. Some salt mixes dissolve more readily at tank temperature, and, regardless, the water temperature should be very close to matching your tank temperature at the time of the water change. Salinity of the new water should be the same as well - so as not to shock your livestock - unless you are attempting to (very) gradually change the overall salinity of your system with the water change.

03/19/2008, 06:52 AM	#1
SSpiro Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,942	Water Changes.. ..are preformed with pre-mixed salt water, correct? Not RO/DI fresh?

03/19/2008, 06:57 AM	#2
I'mRisenAquaRat Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Palm Harbor, Fl Posts: 238	correct __________________ - Ray “I’m Risen AquaRat” is an anagram for “Marine Aquarist”, kinda cool huh? Current Tank Info: 72 reef, white fine sugar sand, T5s: 216 watts total, ASM-1

03/19/2008, 07:00 AM	#3
risin Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 715	RO/DI mixed with salt. You don't have to buy saltwater if that is what you were implying.

03/19/2008, 08:59 AM	#4
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	Aside from helping to prevent the buildup of bad chemicals in your tank that aren't successfully removed by other means of filtration, saltwater changes will replenish the important trace elements that many organisms in a reef tank need to thrive. One example might be iodine, which is necessary for shrimp to molt successfully. Other important elements are Calcium and Magnesium. These elements are added to the salt mix by the manufacturers, and can be found in different concentrations depending on the maker. When mixing saltwater, many people use a heater and a powerhead to bring the circulating water up to tank temperature before adding the salt mix. Some salt mixes dissolve more readily at tank temperature, and, regardless, the water temperature should be very close to matching your tank temperature at the time of the water change. Salinity of the new water should be the same as well - so as not to shock your livestock - unless you are attempting to (very) gradually change the overall salinity of your system with the water change.