Over Airrating Water in Changing Bin?

[dlux4life]

Hi Guys-

Long time browser, not frequent poster. I have a 90 gallon mixed reef. I have a 30 gallon brute that I mix my salt water in. I would always do it the night before and use two opposing powerheads in the container to mix the salt water. I would generally not airrate the mix.

I recently discovered that one should also airrate the water while mixing. I purhcased a larger sized air pump and a flexible bubble wand. I didn't want an airstone breaking down in my mixing bin. When the air pump is on, the mixing bin looks like soda thats been shaken up (not foamy..but that many bubbles).

Is it possbile to over airrate the mixed water? I know there will be an increase in PH due to the extra oxygen in the water. Its been running this way for 4 days. Should I check the PH prior to doing the water change? Anything else that I should be aware of?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The pH relates only to CO2, not O2. Those do not necessarily move in tandem.

There really isn't any concern about over-aeration. The pH will equilibrate fairly rapidly with sufficient aeration, and nothing more will happen after that.

[tmz]

It won't hurt to provide more aeration but might increase evapoation and mist . I don't think it nneds to be bubbly though. FWIW I just use a small powerhead for mixing and it generates enough surface water movement in a losely covered container for adeqaute aeration even with salt mix containing organic additives. I used airstones a while ago but found them messy.

[CNGH]

i used to aerate, but like tmz mentioned, it was messy so i stopped. now i mix in my 5gal water jug and then before i use the water, i screw the cap on tight and shake the jug vigorously. it's very bubbly. i think that accomplishes the same thing as aerating... right? haha. obviously i dunno, but haven't had any problems using the water.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Originally Posted by CNGH

i used to aerate, but like tmz mentioned, it was messy so i stopped. now i mix in my 5gal water jug and then before i use the water, i screw the cap on tight and shake the jug vigorously. it's very bubbly. i think that accomplishes the same thing as aerating... right? haha. obviously i dunno, but haven't had any problems using the water.

Are you being sarcastic? Mixing in a sealed container doesn't aerate appreciably. It will dissolve the salt nicely, but not equilibrate O2 or CO2, if that is important in your application.

[CNGH]

Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley

Are you being sarcastic? Mixing in a sealed container doesn't aerate appreciably. It will dissolve the salt nicely, but not equilibrate O2 or CO2, if that is important in your application.

kinda being sarcastic, but also not; i actually do do that. the 5gal jug is not so completely full that there's no air in the jug along with the water; there's a decent air "pocket" in the jug. it mixes with the lid/spout open b/c i can't seal it w/ the pump cord in the way (not that i would). and then when i'm done mixing and about to use the water, i'll close it tight (after removing the pump/cord) and then shake the whole thing so the air trapped in teh jug is mixed w/ the water. that last part i don't know whether it actually does anything similar to using an airstone while mixing or not; but at least i get some exercise too!

i only have a small tank (approx. 50-55 gal total water volume), mixed reef, sump, skimmer, gfo/gac reactors...haven't noticed any negative effects doing it that way for the last few months. sooooo...

but if you say not to do it randy, i'll do what you say to do!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It is a fine way to dissolve salt, but it doesn't do much to equilibrate O2 or CO2.