Salt water mixing suggestions for smaller tanks

otrlynn · 02/01/2009, 08:16 AM

I have found the following to be a streamlined process for mixing up saltwater. Mark old salt buckets, or the 5 gallon paint mixing buckets you can buy at Loews, in 1 gallon increments on the outside using dark permanant marker. Use white buckets and the marker will show through the bucket. If you normally change 8 gallons, then mark two "mixing" buckets, and one "disposal" bucket.

If you always change the same amount of water, mark a salt scooping container with a line indicating the amount of salt you need. For instance I have a plastic container marked at two cups of salt, because that is what is needed for 4 gallons of water. Also write on the container "2 cups" in case you forget what the line means.

The night before the water change, pour your RODI into the buckets, slowly pour in the salt and stir using a wooden spoon. If you are in a colder climate, add a small heater to each bucket, and preferably a small powerhead. I actually use a small airpump that is "T'd" off to two airstones and I put one in each bucket--I had the airpump and didn't have extra powerheads--so this works for me. If you don't have either, mix well before you go to bed, and mix well again in the morning. Take the extra precaution of also pouring the mixed saltwater back and forth a couple of times into an extra bucket so that the water is better aerated and mixed before you use it. Test the s.g. of the water before you use it and adjust accordingly. Proper s.g. for a reef tank is 1.025-1.026.

Use your marked "discard" bucket to siphon off the exact amount of water that you want. Replace the water with the fresh saltwater, to either your tank or sump. I don't have a sump, so I am withdrawing water from, and adding to, the DT. If you are lifting buckets up to the top of the DT, you will have much more control if you pour the water from the 5 gallon bucket into a "dedicated" pail with a pouring spout--saves your back and allows you to pour slowly.

I know that there are much more automated systems of changing water, but for the "low tech" people out there, I thought this might be helpful.

cvincenti · 02/01/2009, 09:03 AM

I have found an LFS that sells pre-mixed salt water with reasonable levels of calcium and magnesium supplements for a buck a gallon. Seems to me that it's not worth the time and effort to mix your own for smaller quantities. It's worth 5 or 10 bucks a month to me not to have to worry about mixing.

otrlynn · 02/01/2009, 10:23 AM

Actually, that is the way I started in the hobby, but I got real tired of hauling 5 gallon jugs. Also, I found that my LFS was not real good at getting the s.g. right, and I ended up having to adjust it anyway. I am more faithful at doing weekly water changes when the water is "at hand".

RRaider · 02/01/2009, 11:42 AM

I just bought two of the white 20 gallon Brute trash cans and use one for salt water and one for ro/di.

RRaider · 02/01/2009, 11:49 AM

I should add that this gives me the ability to always have on hand enough water for any crisis. No more lugging those stupid 5 gallon buckets across town for me. The final strw was when I picked up some water for a water change and it measured 1.30.

02/01/2009, 08:16 AM	#1
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	Salt water mixing suggestions for smaller tanks I have found the following to be a streamlined process for mixing up saltwater. Mark old salt buckets, or the 5 gallon paint mixing buckets you can buy at Loews, in 1 gallon increments on the outside using dark permanant marker. Use white buckets and the marker will show through the bucket. If you normally change 8 gallons, then mark two "mixing" buckets, and one "disposal" bucket. If you always change the same amount of water, mark a salt scooping container with a line indicating the amount of salt you need. For instance I have a plastic container marked at two cups of salt, because that is what is needed for 4 gallons of water. Also write on the container "2 cups" in case you forget what the line means. The night before the water change, pour your RODI into the buckets, slowly pour in the salt and stir using a wooden spoon. If you are in a colder climate, add a small heater to each bucket, and preferably a small powerhead. I actually use a small airpump that is "T'd" off to two airstones and I put one in each bucket--I had the airpump and didn't have extra powerheads--so this works for me. If you don't have either, mix well before you go to bed, and mix well again in the morning. Take the extra precaution of also pouring the mixed saltwater back and forth a couple of times into an extra bucket so that the water is better aerated and mixed before you use it. Test the s.g. of the water before you use it and adjust accordingly. Proper s.g. for a reef tank is 1.025-1.026. Use your marked "discard" bucket to siphon off the exact amount of water that you want. Replace the water with the fresh saltwater, to either your tank or sump. I don't have a sump, so I am withdrawing water from, and adding to, the DT. If you are lifting buckets up to the top of the DT, you will have much more control if you pour the water from the 5 gallon bucket into a "dedicated" pail with a pouring spout--saves your back and allows you to pour slowly. I know that there are much more automated systems of changing water, but for the "low tech" people out there, I thought this might be helpful.

02/01/2009, 10:23 AM	#3
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	Actually, that is the way I started in the hobby, but I got real tired of hauling 5 gallon jugs. Also, I found that my LFS was not real good at getting the s.g. right, and I ended up having to adjust it anyway. I am more faithful at doing weekly water changes when the water is "at hand". __________________ Lynn 1 horse, 1 dog, 2 cats, small pond with a few koi. The fish tank is gone.

02/01/2009, 09:03 AM	#2
cvincenti Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Jersey Shore Posts: 61	I have found an LFS that sells pre-mixed salt water with reasonable levels of calcium and magnesium supplements for a buck a gallon. Seems to me that it's not worth the time and effort to mix your own for smaller quantities. It's worth 5 or 10 bucks a month to me not to have to worry about mixing.

02/01/2009, 11:42 AM	#4
RRaider Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 703	I just bought two of the white 20 gallon Brute trash cans and use one for salt water and one for ro/di.

02/01/2009, 11:49 AM	#5
RRaider Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 703	I should add that this gives me the ability to always have on hand enough water for any crisis. No more lugging those stupid 5 gallon buckets across town for me. The final strw was when I picked up some water for a water change and it measured 1.30.