Salt Ratio

Thomalop · 12/11/2007, 08:26 AM

Is there a general measurement for salt to water ratio.

For example, 1 cup per gallon?

I'm getting ready for my first water change and don't want to guess too much.

Thanks

NYIntensity · 12/11/2007, 08:30 AM

I know with Instant Ocean it's 1/2 cup per gallon to achieve 1.025 at (I believe) 79*. If you read the tiny print on the bucket or bag, it should say. As always though, (if you have one) use the refractometer and thermometer to make sure you've got the right mix.

dsn112 · 12/11/2007, 08:33 AM

add slowly, i have gone by the bag reccomendation before and it was way too much. If its a small water change, a little higher salinity won't make your whole system move more than a fraction of a percent so not that big of a deal.

reefergeorge · 12/11/2007, 05:09 PM

I add a little less than 3 cups of IO salt to five gallons rodi for 1.025.
What are you using to measure sg?

Deb91 · 12/11/2007, 05:33 PM

It should say on the container or bag. What brand do you have?

seapug · 12/11/2007, 05:49 PM

+1 on reading the container. If you aren't sure what kind of salt it is call the place you got it to ask exactly what brand it is.

That being said, most brands call for 1/2 cup/gallon of water. Add salt to the water, not the other way around. It's a good idea to put a powerhead in the container for at least an hour or two, preferably overnight.

Thomalop · 12/11/2007, 09:39 PM

I am using Red Sea salt but if said 1\4 pound per 5 gallons.

What does that translate too?

bertoni · 12/11/2007, 09:40 PM

It's usually a little over 1/2 cup per gallon, but that needs to be fine-tuned with a good SG device.

12/11/2007, 08:26 AM	#1
Thomalop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 151	Salt Ratio Is there a general measurement for salt to water ratio. For example, 1 cup per gallon? I'm getting ready for my first water change and don't want to guess too much. Thanks

12/11/2007, 08:30 AM	#2
NYIntensity Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 330	I know with Instant Ocean it's 1/2 cup per gallon to achieve 1.025 at (I believe) 79*. If you read the tiny print on the bucket or bag, it should say. As always though, (if you have one) use the refractometer and thermometer to make sure you've got the right mix. __________________ -Jeremy "Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur"

12/11/2007, 08:33 AM	#3
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	add slowly, i have gone by the bag reccomendation before and it was way too much. If its a small water change, a little higher salinity won't make your whole system move more than a fraction of a percent so not that big of a deal. __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

12/11/2007, 05:09 PM	#4
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	I add a little less than 3 cups of IO salt to five gallons rodi for 1.025. What are you using to measure sg? __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

12/11/2007, 05:33 PM	#5
Deb91 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scituate,Ma. Posts: 577	It should say on the container or bag. What brand do you have? __________________ Deb Current Tank Info: None running now.

12/11/2007, 05:49 PM	#6
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	+1 on reading the container. If you aren't sure what kind of salt it is call the place you got it to ask exactly what brand it is. That being said, most brands call for 1/2 cup/gallon of water. Add salt to the water, not the other way around. It's a good idea to put a powerhead in the container for at least an hour or two, preferably overnight. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

12/11/2007, 09:39 PM	#7
Thomalop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 151	I am using Red Sea salt but if said 1\4 pound per 5 gallons. What does that translate too?

12/11/2007, 09:40 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	It's usually a little over 1/2 cup per gallon, but that needs to be fine-tuned with a good SG device. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni