Saltwater mix

mwoodruff964 · 11/10/2008, 12:23 AM

Ok I'm still kinda new to this hobby and have a question about mixing saltwater I'm using instant ocean salt and since on the box doesn't give you a good way to measure out the salt per gallon of water, I am looking for your measurements of mixing the salt like 1/2 cup per u.s. gallon of water that kind of response. Any help would be great

rc02116 · 11/10/2008, 12:39 AM

I would get a refractometer (or at least a hydrometer, but not highly recommeded) to measure SG (specific gravity) for your salt mix. The instructions on the label (of the container) is only an estimate (at best) and it can translate to very different readings from the normal SG range for marine aquariums.

Flipper62 · 11/10/2008, 12:57 AM

Rule of thumb is a 1/2 cup to 1 gallon. But it still depends on where you keep your salinity.

I keep my office BioCube at 1.023.

I do a 2 gallon water change every week. BUT when I mix the new water I put in less then 3/4 cup......let it mix, then after 5 to 6 hours I check the salinity.....Then add more salt as needed until I get to the correct salinity.

It is also best to let the water mix for about 12 or so hours. This will also add oxygen to the water.

To get the correct salinity, buy a refractometer. SCRAP THE CHEAP PLASTIC HYDROMETER.

Get a good SYBON refractometer from Aquacave for $50.00

Here is a link........Talk to Albert, he is awesome

http://www.aquacave.com/salinity-ref...on-1901.htmle.

mwoodruff964 · 11/10/2008, 01:02 AM

thanks flipper62 I'm tryin to keep mine anywhere from 1.023 to 1.025, with the hydrometer, but closer to 1.024 to 1.025.

Flipper62 · 11/10/2008, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mwoodruff964
thanks flipper62 I'm tryin to keep mine anywhere from 1.023 to 1.025, with the hydrometer, but closer to 1.024 to 1.025.

Do yourself a favor...Please get a Refractometer. The Cheap Plastic Hydrometers very so much. Even if you rince it out with fresh water, there can be some salt that leached into the plastic. This will cause a false reading in your next salinity reading.

The best salitiny reading will be with a Refractometer

mwoodruff964 · 11/10/2008, 01:21 AM

ok thanks flipper62 ill make sure i put that on my list

Flipper62 · 11/10/2008, 01:30 AM

Again......here is the link.....ask for Albert

http://www.aquacave.com/salinity-ref...ybon-1901.html

11/10/2008, 12:23 AM	#1
mwoodruff964 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Grandview,MO Posts: 166	Saltwater mix Ok I'm still kinda new to this hobby and have a question about mixing saltwater I'm using instant ocean salt and since on the box doesn't give you a good way to measure out the salt per gallon of water, I am looking for your measurements of mixing the salt like 1/2 cup per u.s. gallon of water that kind of response. Any help would be great

11/10/2008, 12:57 AM	#3
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	Rule of thumb is a 1/2 cup to 1 gallon. But it still depends on where you keep your salinity. I keep my office BioCube at 1.023. I do a 2 gallon water change every week. BUT when I mix the new water I put in less then 3/4 cup......let it mix, then after 5 to 6 hours I check the salinity.....Then add more salt as needed until I get to the correct salinity. It is also best to let the water mix for about 12 or so hours. This will also add oxygen to the water. To get the correct salinity, buy a refractometer. SCRAP THE CHEAP PLASTIC HYDROMETER. Get a good SYBON refractometer from Aquacave for $50.00 Here is a link........Talk to Albert, he is awesome http://www.aquacave.com/salinity-ref...on-1901.htmle. __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW Last edited by Flipper62; 11/10/2008 at 01:06 AM.

11/10/2008, 01:02 AM	#4
mwoodruff964 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Grandview,MO Posts: 166	thanks flipper62 I'm tryin to keep mine anywhere from 1.023 to 1.025, with the hydrometer, but closer to 1.024 to 1.025. __________________ “The challenge is to keep them. In the aquarium industry, once you become a director, you become quite attractive to other institutions with higher salaries.” Current Tank Info: 90 gallon w/ 30 gallon sump along with a 10 gallon quarantine tank

11/10/2008, 01:21 AM	#6
mwoodruff964 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Grandview,MO Posts: 166	ok thanks flipper62 ill make sure i put that on my list __________________ “The challenge is to keep them. In the aquarium industry, once you become a director, you become quite attractive to other institutions with higher salaries.” Current Tank Info: 90 gallon w/ 30 gallon sump along with a 10 gallon quarantine tank

11/10/2008, 01:30 AM	#7
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	Again......here is the link.....ask for Albert http://www.aquacave.com/salinity-ref...ybon-1901.html __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

11/10/2008, 12:39 AM	#2
rc02116 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 83	I would get a refractometer (or at least a hydrometer, but not highly recommeded) to measure SG (specific gravity) for your salt mix. The instructions on the label (of the container) is only an estimate (at best) and it can translate to very different readings from the normal SG range for marine aquariums.