Who mixes there own salt water with RO/DI water and how?

jdthomas24 · 12/15/2009, 05:30 PM

I am getting ready to fill my tank. i installed a RO/DI unit and the float cuts off at 22.5 gallons in my brute trash can. I have a bucket of Rea Sea Pro Coral Salt but it gives the measurments in pounds instead of amount like cups. I just realized this and i am very unsure how to measure per gallon of water. any suggestions? Thanks Jason

platinumck · 12/15/2009, 05:38 PM

1 cup does 2 gallons of water. So do the math. I'd start there and then when you think you have the right amount of salt in let it circulate for a few hours then check your gravity. If its to low add more. It should be around 1.022 -1.025. I keep mine at about 1.022

sassyfrassy · 12/15/2009, 05:41 PM

How many gal does the bag make? Do you have a hydrometer? You can estimate - like a little less than half a bag (if it makes 50gal.) and then put in a little less than that. Run w/power head for an hour and then test w/. hydrometer and add little more, 'til you get to 1.025 or so. Another option would be to call the mfg. number on the bag and they will give you the conversion to cups per gal.

jdthomas24 · 12/15/2009, 05:48 PM

it is in a 5 gallon bucket. says it makes 180 gallons and i have a 150 gallon tank. So if a cup makes 2 gallons i can figure it from there and then test after an hour or so with a powehead in it. I run a heater and a power head in the holding tank.

hovhanh · 12/15/2009, 05:58 PM

I use a home depot bucket, drop a heater and powerhead in there. I drimmel the lid for the wires to come out and you're done!

jdthomas24 · 12/15/2009, 06:31 PM

i meant the salt is in a 5 gallon bucket and my holding tank is a 33 gallon brute trash can with a float stopping it at 22.5 gallons. i figured 11 1/8 cups of salt per 22.5 gallons of RO water... Does that sound good to you?

FranktheTankTx · 12/15/2009, 06:36 PM

I'd say 1/2 cup per gallon. I just start putting salt in & measure. Ha! Hope I didn't overguess.

goochesfish · 12/15/2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdthomas24

i meant the salt is in a 5 gallon bucket and my holding tank is a 33 gallon brute trash can with a float stopping it at 22.5 gallons. i figured 11 1/8 cups of salt per 22.5 gallons of RO water... Does that sound good to you?

why did you set the float at 22.5? If you fill to the line of the brute 33, it is at 25 gallons. It's easier to dived the salt in 25 gallon increments. I bought a scale at office depot and divide the salt into smaller containers to make 25 gallons at a time.

pskorf · 12/15/2009, 08:51 PM

I am just getting started to.just remember top offs from evaporation will not be salt water.just regular RODI water.(so i keep my water as unsalted for top offs also)

so when filled my tank i carried 5 gallon buckets up(RO in basement for me) about 4 gallons full in bucket and mixed salt as i filled.skipped a couple buckets to make sure i stayed under recommended salt level then just added salt as needed in tank
AGAIN BRAND NEW TANK WITH NOTHING LIVE IN IT so could balance sale level in tank with power heads on.

Thomas204 · 12/15/2009, 10:06 PM

sorry to hijack the thread - but with ro/di water, i just read that its not safe to drink?? how is it safe for an aquarium but not safe to drink?

Flipper62 · 12/15/2009, 10:09 PM

The salt mix almost always says a 1/2 cup per gallon. BUT you cant just go with that and then use it. You need to use that as a start. Mix the RO/DI water and the salt for around 12 hours, using some PowerHeads or a pump. If you need to do a emergency water change, you can mix it faster and use it...BUT its best of you can mix it for at least 12 hours. This not only makes sure that the salt is compleatly mixed, it gets the water aerated really well.

Before you use the water you need to use a Refractometer and make sure the salinity of the new water is the same as the tank.

Oh Ya.....you should use a heater to heat the new RO/DI water before you add the salt. It will help the salt to dissolve faster. The new mix should also be close to the same temp as the main tank before you add it

Flipper62 · 12/15/2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas204

sorry to hijack the thread - but with ro/di water, i just read that its not safe to drink?? how is it safe for an aquarium but not safe to drink?

Some people have said in the past that RO/DI water is not safe to drink because everything has been stripped out of it.

That has been Debunked here. The thing about RO/DI water is that it will not taste very good. It will taste realy bland.

The part about....how is it safe for an aquarium but not safe to drink. The TDS in the water that is fine for drinking is the same TDS that will cause Algae & other ploblems in the tank.

HotRodsFishTank · 12/15/2009, 10:24 PM

From what I have read its the DI stage that is the issue. A drinking water system will not use the DI membrane for drinking water, but a second outlet that goes through thr DI membrane is used for fish tank use!

Frogmanx82 · 12/15/2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotRodsFishTank

From what I have read its the DI stage that is the issue. A drinking water system will not use the DI membrane for drinking water, but a second outlet that goes through thr DI membrane is used for fish tank use!

Its not an issue. People avoid the DI unit for drinking water because it further removes any taste and the capacity for DI resins is less than the RO membrane, so its a cost issue.

Regarding mixing saltwater. 1.022 is too low for a reef tank. You'll never get your calcium, alk and mag numbers where they need to be. Mix to at least 1.025. 1.0262 is full salt water typically found in reef environments.

tuckdawaytoo · 12/16/2009, 12:02 AM

1/2 cup to gallon...be sure to check salinity with good refractometer...I keep mine set to 1.024...have to adjust slightly to get up to 1.024. Good luck

jdthomas24 · 12/16/2009, 12:14 AM

well i just mixed my first batch at 1 cup per 2 gallon which is about what everyone said 1/2 cup per gallon. Seemed a bit much compared to how much the bucket stated it would mix and how much i took out but hey its late and its probably right on the money. I have a powerhead in it and a heater to heat it up. I am just now filling my 150gallon tank so nothing living in it as of yet. i guess if its to much i can adjust with the next batch. Its going to take me a couple of days to make the water and mix it to put in the tank. Just curious, since i do not have anythign in the tank would it be ok to add it cold and then heat it in the tnak with heaters when its full? maybe not since i read that it mixes correctly heated but im just checking to see if anyone has done that before. its cold here , down in the 40's and the holding tank is in the garage so the water is probably 60 degrees or so.

singold · 12/16/2009, 12:15 AM

I also use 1/2 cup per gallon. I did this for Instant Ocean & Reef Crystals and achieved around 1.024 SG

Frogmanx82 · 12/16/2009, 07:47 AM

You can add it cold and then adjust to the salinity you want with the last 10 gallons or so. Plenty of parts of the ocean are colder than that.

mojo10 · 12/16/2009, 08:37 AM

first get your self a hydrometer, you will also want to get a cheap heater, and a small powerhead like 600 maaxijet to mix the water salt mixthen go from there...

Frogmanx82 · 12/16/2009, 05:26 PM

Better than a hydrometer would be a refractometer with some calibration solution at 35ppt. They run about $40 online. Hydrometers are not very accurate. If you can calibrate a hydrometer against a known salinity that would help. If you use the same one all the time you should stay pretty close.

You would be surprised how different readings can be with the same brand.

12/15/2009, 05:30 PM	#1
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	Who mixes there own salt water with RO/DI water and how? I am getting ready to fill my tank. i installed a RO/DI unit and the float cuts off at 22.5 gallons in my brute trash can. I have a bucket of Rea Sea Pro Coral Salt but it gives the measurments in pounds instead of amount like cups. I just realized this and i am very unsure how to measure per gallon of water. any suggestions? Thanks Jason

12/15/2009, 05:41 PM	#3
sassyfrassy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kings Mountain, NC Posts: 912	How many gal does the bag make? Do you have a hydrometer? You can estimate - like a little less than half a bag (if it makes 50gal.) and then put in a little less than that. Run w/power head for an hour and then test w/. hydrometer and add little more, 'til you get to 1.025 or so. Another option would be to call the mfg. number on the bag and they will give you the conversion to cups per gal. __________________ Faith, hope, and love abide; but the greatest of these is love. Current Tank Info: 40g breeder DT LR & Macro Algae - 2" sand, 6 T5s & 2 fans in hood; 30gL sump/fuge w/MSX 200 skimmer & other equip.; (mangroves in DT - roots are great look)

12/15/2009, 06:36 PM	#7
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	I'd say 1/2 cup per gallon. I just start putting salt in & measure. Ha! Hope I didn't overguess. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

12/15/2009, 10:09 PM	#11
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	The salt mix almost always says a 1/2 cup per gallon. BUT you cant just go with that and then use it. You need to use that as a start. Mix the RO/DI water and the salt for around 12 hours, using some PowerHeads or a pump. If you need to do a emergency water change, you can mix it faster and use it...BUT its best of you can mix it for at least 12 hours. This not only makes sure that the salt is compleatly mixed, it gets the water aerated really well. Before you use the water you need to use a Refractometer and make sure the salinity of the new water is the same as the tank. Oh Ya.....you should use a heater to heat the new RO/DI water before you add the salt. It will help the salt to dissolve faster. The new mix should also be close to the same temp as the main tank before you add it __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW Last edited by Flipper62; 12/15/2009 at 10:17 PM.

12/16/2009, 12:15 AM	#17
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	I also use 1/2 cup per gallon. I did this for Instant Ocean & Reef Crystals and achieved around 1.024 SG __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

12/15/2009, 05:38 PM	#2
platinumck Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Findlay,Ohio Posts: 55	1 cup does 2 gallons of water. So do the math. I'd start there and then when you think you have the right amount of salt in let it circulate for a few hours then check your gravity. If its to low add more. It should be around 1.022 -1.025. I keep mine at about 1.022

12/15/2009, 05:48 PM	#4
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	it is in a 5 gallon bucket. says it makes 180 gallons and i have a 150 gallon tank. So if a cup makes 2 gallons i can figure it from there and then test after an hour or so with a powehead in it. I run a heater and a power head in the holding tank.

12/15/2009, 05:58 PM	#5
hovhanh Moved On Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SF, CA Posts: 205	I use a home depot bucket, drop a heater and powerhead in there. I drimmel the lid for the wires to come out and you're done!

12/15/2009, 06:31 PM	#6
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	i meant the salt is in a 5 gallon bucket and my holding tank is a 33 gallon brute trash can with a float stopping it at 22.5 gallons. i figured 11 1/8 cups of salt per 22.5 gallons of RO water... Does that sound good to you?

12/15/2009, 08:51 PM	#9
pskorf Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Forreston,IL. Posts: 141	I am just getting started to.just remember top offs from evaporation will not be salt water.just regular RODI water.(so i keep my water as unsalted for top offs also) so when filled my tank i carried 5 gallon buckets up(RO in basement for me) about 4 gallons full in bucket and mixed salt as i filled.skipped a couple buckets to make sure i stayed under recommended salt level then just added salt as needed in tank AGAIN BRAND NEW TANK WITH NOTHING LIVE IN IT so could balance sale level in tank with power heads on.

12/15/2009, 10:06 PM	#10
Thomas204 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 26	sorry to hijack the thread - but with ro/di water, i just read that its not safe to drink?? how is it safe for an aquarium but not safe to drink?

12/15/2009, 10:24 PM	#13
HotRodsFishTank Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hamler Ohio Posts: 62	From what I have read its the DI stage that is the issue. A drinking water system will not use the DI membrane for drinking water, but a second outlet that goes through thr DI membrane is used for fish tank use!

12/16/2009, 12:02 AM	#15
tuckdawaytoo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 62	1/2 cup to gallon...be sure to check salinity with good refractometer...I keep mine set to 1.024...have to adjust slightly to get up to 1.024. Good luck

12/16/2009, 12:14 AM	#16
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	well i just mixed my first batch at 1 cup per 2 gallon which is about what everyone said 1/2 cup per gallon. Seemed a bit much compared to how much the bucket stated it would mix and how much i took out but hey its late and its probably right on the money. I have a powerhead in it and a heater to heat it up. I am just now filling my 150gallon tank so nothing living in it as of yet. i guess if its to much i can adjust with the next batch. Its going to take me a couple of days to make the water and mix it to put in the tank. Just curious, since i do not have anythign in the tank would it be ok to add it cold and then heat it in the tnak with heaters when its full? maybe not since i read that it mixes correctly heated but im just checking to see if anyone has done that before. its cold here , down in the 40's and the holding tank is in the garage so the water is probably 60 degrees or so.

12/16/2009, 07:47 AM	#18
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	You can add it cold and then adjust to the salinity you want with the last 10 gallons or so. Plenty of parts of the ocean are colder than that. __________________ Exodus 8:2 Check my homepage for tank pics and details. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 2x maxspect R420R LED, 4 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, Flame Angel, Foxface Rabbitfish, Banggai Cardinals, Azure Damsel, rock flower anemone, cleaner shrimp, serpent star

12/16/2009, 08:37 AM	#19
mojo10 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Roanoke Posts: 75	hydrometer first get your self a hydrometer, you will also want to get a cheap heater, and a small powerhead like 600 maaxijet to mix the water salt mixthen go from there...

12/16/2009, 05:26 PM	#20
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	Better than a hydrometer would be a refractometer with some calibration solution at 35ppt. They run about $40 online. Hydrometers are not very accurate. If you can calibrate a hydrometer against a known salinity that would help. If you use the same one all the time you should stay pretty close. You would be surprised how different readings can be with the same brand. __________________ Exodus 8:2 Check my homepage for tank pics and details. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 2x maxspect R420R LED, 4 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, Flame Angel, Foxface Rabbitfish, Banggai Cardinals, Azure Damsel, rock flower anemone, cleaner shrimp, serpent star