how much salt to mix?

0000 · 03/08/2011, 08:17 AM

I finally got a RO/DI unit, and I am wondering how much salt needs to be added to 5 gallons of water to mix?

jerrym21 · 03/08/2011, 08:23 AM

It's usualy right around two cups but test it before you use it just in case it needs a little fine tuning.

sgwithee · 03/08/2011, 08:29 AM

I've normally used 1/2 cup per gallon to get approx 1.025 sg.
But then, each salt mix will be a little different. Assuming your
container has room for more than 5 gals. Try a 1/2 cup per gallon
and then test it.

BorHor · 03/08/2011, 08:30 AM

Usually says on the bag or bucket how much to mix per gallon to get 1.025 sg.

bnumair · 03/08/2011, 08:36 AM

all salts have different mixing ratios. most all are around 1/2 cup to a gal. the seachem salt i am using called salinity is even less than 1/2 cup to a gal they say. so u got to read the bucket or bag and see and still i would mix a little less than what it recommends and let it settle to 24-48 hrs before reading it then adjust. also the salt dissolve ratio depends on temp of water as well.

billdogg · 03/08/2011, 08:49 AM

I use just enough to bring it up to 1.026 or so.

HTH

jeff@zina.com · 03/08/2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0000

I finally got a RO/DI unit, and I am wondering how much salt needs to be added to 5 gallons of water to mix?

You have to look at the instructions for your salt and test using a hydrometer or, preferably, refractometer.

Jeff

msman825 · 03/08/2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BorHor

Usually says on the bag or bucket how much to mix per gallon to get 1.025 sg.

yup, and get a refractometer.
it will save a lot of trouble down the road

Anthony.Luciano · 03/08/2011, 02:46 PM

i didnt even know you can make salt without testing it. and yes listin to everyone dont waste your money on the hydrometer. mine was so off it killed some of my fish in hyposalinity by saying the level was 1.012 while it was really 1.005 so just spend the money on it now and you wont regret it.

Sk8r · 03/08/2011, 03:40 PM

I agree with that.

And most salt mixes are 1/2 cup per gallon to bring you to 1.024...BUT---buckets vary. Never assume you got it right just by measure, though I'm sure your question is just---what's the LIKELY amount to shoot for.

Do doublecheck it before adding to make sure.

03/08/2011, 08:17 AM	#1
0000 Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cleveland Posts: 203	how much salt to mix? I finally got a RO/DI unit, and I am wondering how much salt needs to be added to 5 gallons of water to mix?

03/08/2011, 08:36 AM	#5
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	all salts have different mixing ratios. most all are around 1/2 cup to a gal. the seachem salt i am using called salinity is even less than 1/2 cup to a gal they say. so u got to read the bucket or bag and see and still i would mix a little less than what it recommends and let it settle to 24-48 hrs before reading it then adjust. also the salt dissolve ratio depends on temp of water as well. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE Last edited by bnumair; 03/08/2011 at 08:52 AM.

03/08/2011, 08:49 AM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I use just enough to bring it up to 1.026 or so. HTH __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/08/2011, 02:46 PM	#9
Anthony.Luciano Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bronx, NY Posts: 769	i didnt even know you can make salt without testing it. and yes listin to everyone dont waste your money on the hydrometer. mine was so off it killed some of my fish in hyposalinity by saying the level was 1.012 while it was really 1.005 so just spend the money on it now and you wont regret it. Last edited by Anthony.Luciano; 03/08/2011 at 03:43 PM.

03/08/2011, 03:40 PM	#10
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I agree with that. And most salt mixes are 1/2 cup per gallon to bring you to 1.024...BUT---buckets vary. Never assume you got it right just by measure, though I'm sure your question is just---what's the LIKELY amount to shoot for. Do doublecheck it before adding to make sure. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/08/2011, 08:23 AM	#2
jerrym21 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 347	It's usualy right around two cups but test it before you use it just in case it needs a little fine tuning.

03/08/2011, 08:29 AM	#3
sgwithee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 5	I've normally used 1/2 cup per gallon to get approx 1.025 sg. But then, each salt mix will be a little different. Assuming your container has room for more than 5 gals. Try a 1/2 cup per gallon and then test it.

03/08/2011, 08:30 AM	#4
BorHor Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 57	Usually says on the bag or bucket how much to mix per gallon to get 1.025 sg.

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