Adding salt to the mix

DoranNemo06 · 01/11/2007, 09:11 PM

Can anyone tell me whats the best way to add salt back to the tank after you do a water change

billsreef · 01/11/2007, 09:15 PM

Ideally you want to add the salt to the water in a seperate mixing container before adding the replacement water. However, based on your selection of emoticon's I guess you know that after the fact. So the best thing to do is mix a concentrate of salt mix, i.e. dissolve a couple of cups in a gallon of water and slowly add that in while keeping tabs of the SG in the tank

DoranNemo06 · 01/11/2007, 09:41 PM

Ok I always dissolve it, is adding it to the sump better than adding it to the tank directly?

bertoni · 01/11/2007, 09:44 PM

No, don't add undissolved salt to a tank. It might not dissolve properly, and the granules of salt might irritate organisms.

How far off is the salinity of the tank? You might be better off letting evaporation fix the problem.

DoranNemo06 · 01/11/2007, 09:48 PM

Salt is not off it just a little low from doing water changes, should i add the dissolved saltwater in the tank or in the sump, whats better?

bertoni · 01/11/2007, 09:59 PM

I don't understand what you mean about the SG situation.

The saltwater can be added to either the sump or the tank. It shouldn't much mater if the circulation is good. If in doubt, just dump it slowly into the sump.

Joshua1023 · 01/11/2007, 11:04 PM

Are we talking about top-offs or water changes here. If you are just adding fresh water to a tank to make up for evaporation, then you really shouldn't have to add anything. Ideally you want to check your salinity before any water changes and slowly work on getting your salinity back on track over a period of weeks. I never would recommend adding straight salt to your tank or sump for that matter.

Myka · 01/22/2007, 10:12 PM

What's your SG at anyway?

DoranNemo06 · 01/23/2007, 08:14 PM

Well, I think its on the low side I measured around 1.030. I just did a water change today so that may have dropped it some.

Nano Chris · 01/23/2007, 08:52 PM

Either you made a typo or you said 1.030 which is way to high. I would suggest lower your sg to at least 1.025-1.026 max!

Myka · 01/23/2007, 09:34 PM

Ya, wow!!! Your SG should be between 1.023 and 1.026. I keep mine at 1.026 because that's the average of natural seawater.

01/11/2007, 09:11 PM	#1
DoranNemo06 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 35	Adding salt to the mix Can anyone tell me whats the best way to add salt back to the tank after you do a water change

01/11/2007, 09:15 PM	#2
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	Ideally you want to add the salt to the water in a seperate mixing container before adding the replacement water. However, based on your selection of emoticon's I guess you know that after the fact. So the best thing to do is mix a concentrate of salt mix, i.e. dissolve a couple of cups in a gallon of water and slowly add that in while keeping tabs of the SG in the tank __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

01/11/2007, 09:41 PM	#3
DoranNemo06 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 35	Sump or Tank Ok I always dissolve it, is adding it to the sump better than adding it to the tank directly?

01/11/2007, 09:44 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	No, don't add undissolved salt to a tank. It might not dissolve properly, and the granules of salt might irritate organisms. How far off is the salinity of the tank? You might be better off letting evaporation fix the problem. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/11/2007, 09:59 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I don't understand what you mean about the SG situation. The saltwater can be added to either the sump or the tank. It shouldn't much mater if the circulation is good. If in doubt, just dump it slowly into the sump. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/11/2007, 09:48 PM	#5
DoranNemo06 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 35	Salt is not off it just a little low from doing water changes, should i add the dissolved saltwater in the tank or in the sump, whats better?

01/11/2007, 11:04 PM	#7
Joshua1023 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reading PA Posts: 1,526	Are we talking about top-offs or water changes here. If you are just adding fresh water to a tank to make up for evaporation, then you really shouldn't have to add anything. Ideally you want to check your salinity before any water changes and slowly work on getting your salinity back on track over a period of weeks. I never would recommend adding straight salt to your tank or sump for that matter. __________________ Only bad things happen fast. Only bad thing happen fast. Only bad things happen fast. Man,I'm friggen hard-headed!!! Current Tank Info: 90 gl tank,Coralife 14K MH lights,2 Current dual daylight/actinic 40 watt fixtures, tidepool sump,Coralife SS 220 protein skimmer,six inch sand bed w/ plenum, Current Prime Tower 1/3 hp Chiller,RedSea ozonizer w/ orp

01/22/2007, 10:12 PM	#8
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	What's your SG at anyway? __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method.

01/23/2007, 08:14 PM	#9
DoranNemo06 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 35	Well, I think its on the low side I measured around 1.030. I just did a water change today so that may have dropped it some.

01/23/2007, 08:52 PM	#10
Nano Chris Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,758	Either you made a typo or you said 1.030 which is way to high. I would suggest lower your sg to at least 1.025-1.026 max! __________________ Chris ------- 34 Gallon Red Sea Max 130! Setup (Just got back into the hobby) Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon RedSeaMax!

01/23/2007, 09:34 PM	#11
Myka Reefing since '93 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 2,436	Ya, wow!!! Your SG should be between 1.023 and 1.026. I keep mine at 1.026 because that's the average of natural seawater. __________________ ~ Mindy, SPS addict. Current Tank Info: 69 SPS (73 gal net) established July 1/15. (HBD Canada!) ATB 840, ATI 6-bulb dimmable. Fauna Marin balling lite method.