Water Heater and Salt Question for Noob

tengquen · 01/02/2010, 07:05 AM

Hello Everyone. I am hoping to get your opinion on two issues I am having.

I have a brand new JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube tank. I filled it with ro/di water and a full box (supposed to be used for 25 gallons) of reef crystals. I also installed a 25w heater on the recommendation of my LFS. He explained that since we are in FL, that we do not need as powerful a heater as most other places.

Issue #1 is that I mixed in the salt 17 hours ago, and there is still some salt sitting at the bottom. I would guess maybe 1/8 cup. Is this normal or should I siphon off the salt? Currently I have a hydrometer reading of 1.023. The water is clear other than the salt sitting at the bottom.

Issue #2 is that the heater has been running for 17 hours. I have it set on its highest setting, and the tank water is at 77 degrees F. My goal was to have it 80 degrees, just based upon the reading I have been doing here and other places. Should it get a more powerful heater?

Thanks

Shane Hoffman · 01/02/2010, 07:12 AM

Give the salt more time to disolve. Either stir it occasionally or lay a powerjead on the bpttpm of the tank. Also I would buy a heater that is the proper size for your tank.

tengquen · 01/02/2010, 07:19 AM

I forgot to mention, that the reason why I'm considering siphoning the salt this early is that I'm supposed to pick up 40lbs of live rock today. I don't want to add the rock until the salt is fully dissolved.

Lightsluvr · 01/02/2010, 09:13 AM

Your LFS should have told you to be circulating your water so the salt mix could get into solution. Most folks vigourously circulate new saltwater for 24 hours in a separate container before adding it to our tanks. I recommend that you place a powerhead in your tank until you no longer see any solids. When all that salt is in solution, your SG will rise as well.
IME, a 25 watt heater is on the low side, but this is winter (even in Florida). In summer, your tank will likely run warmer. I run my tank between 76.5 and 78.5 degrees. If you want to warm the tank, just turn your lights on for a few hours...
You can go ahead and put the LR in later today, but get a small MaxiJet or a Koralia 1 in there first.
You're doing okay - good questions and good observations...

LL

BigMike75 · 01/02/2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane Hoffman

Give the salt more time to dissolve. Either stir it occasionally or lay a powerhead on the bottom of the tank.

+1 You need some good flow to get the salt mixed up. You probably know but you will definitely need a separate container to mix the salt in after you add anything to the tank.

gwainrig · 01/02/2010, 02:51 PM

I would stir the water and help dissolve the salt. The water temp at 77 is good.

Russter · 01/02/2010, 03:08 PM

I keep my tank at 78. Keep an eye on the heater and if you notice it running for too long, you may have to get a larger heater. Getting some flow in there will spread the heated water near the heater around the tank so you won't have any cold/warm spots

tengquen · 01/02/2010, 04:23 PM

I went ahead and took the other 2 boxes of reef crystals back to my LFS. I tested it one more time by putting 1/4 cup in 4 gallons to see if it would dissolve. I even had a heater and stirred it myself for 30 minutes...it would not dissolve. So I went to my LFS, he replaced the salt with Instant Ocean. It dissolved 99.9% in minutes. My LFS also replaced my 25w with a 100w for free. The tank has been running at 78 degrees F all day with no problems. I think that heater will be better in the long run since it doesnt have to work so hard. The last one I had set at 90 degrees and it was barely giving me 77. This one is set to 78 and gives me 78 :-)

Thanks everyone for your responses. I'm going to let the tank run overnight since it is slightly cloudy. The hydrometer reading looks good though. I will get the sand and rock tomorrow. I love that my LFS is open 7 days a week!

01/02/2010, 09:13 AM	#4
Lightsluvr Tangaroa to 500 gallons Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,855	Your LFS should have told you to be circulating your water so the salt mix could get into solution. Most folks vigourously circulate new saltwater for 24 hours in a separate container before adding it to our tanks. I recommend that you place a powerhead in your tank until you no longer see any solids. When all that salt is in solution, your SG will rise as well. IME, a 25 watt heater is on the low side, but this is winter (even in Florida). In summer, your tank will likely run warmer. I run my tank between 76.5 and 78.5 degrees. If you want to warm the tank, just turn your lights on for a few hours... You can go ahead and put the LR in later today, but get a small MaxiJet or a Koralia 1 in there first. You're doing okay - good questions and good observations... LL __________________ Click on my username and select "Lightsluvr's Home Page" for a recap of our build thread - AGE Hybrid Tank in a 500G system with dedicated fish room. (Takes a few minutes for photos to load) Leave a note if you stop by... Current Tank Info: 350G AGE Hybrid reef tank. 500G+ total water volume. Three sumps for filtration. Barracuda Gold return and Hammerhead Gold closed loop pumps. DIY T5 light system on rails. MP40W x3 to supplement closed loop. 130G Water management system.

01/02/2010, 02:51 PM	#6
gwainrig Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: winterville,nc Posts: 53	sALT I would stir the water and help dissolve the salt. The water temp at 77 is good.

01/02/2010, 07:05 AM	#1
tengquen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 41	Water Heater and Salt Question for Noob Hello Everyone. I am hoping to get your opinion on two issues I am having. I have a brand new JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube tank. I filled it with ro/di water and a full box (supposed to be used for 25 gallons) of reef crystals. I also installed a 25w heater on the recommendation of my LFS. He explained that since we are in FL, that we do not need as powerful a heater as most other places. Issue #1 is that I mixed in the salt 17 hours ago, and there is still some salt sitting at the bottom. I would guess maybe 1/8 cup. Is this normal or should I siphon off the salt? Currently I have a hydrometer reading of 1.023. The water is clear other than the salt sitting at the bottom. Issue #2 is that the heater has been running for 17 hours. I have it set on its highest setting, and the tank water is at 77 degrees F. My goal was to have it 80 degrees, just based upon the reading I have been doing here and other places. Should it get a more powerful heater? Thanks

01/02/2010, 07:12 AM	#2
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	Give the salt more time to disolve. Either stir it occasionally or lay a powerjead on the bpttpm of the tank. Also I would buy a heater that is the proper size for your tank. __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

01/02/2010, 07:19 AM	#3
tengquen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 41	I forgot to mention, that the reason why I'm considering siphoning the salt this early is that I'm supposed to pick up 40lbs of live rock today. I don't want to add the rock until the salt is fully dissolved.

01/02/2010, 03:08 PM	#7
Russter Northern Reefer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada Posts: 531	I keep my tank at 78. Keep an eye on the heater and if you notice it running for too long, you may have to get a larger heater. Getting some flow in there will spread the heated water near the heater around the tank so you won't have any cold/warm spots

01/02/2010, 04:23 PM	#8
tengquen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 41	I went ahead and took the other 2 boxes of reef crystals back to my LFS. I tested it one more time by putting 1/4 cup in 4 gallons to see if it would dissolve. I even had a heater and stirred it myself for 30 minutes...it would not dissolve. So I went to my LFS, he replaced the salt with Instant Ocean. It dissolved 99.9% in minutes. My LFS also replaced my 25w with a 100w for free. The tank has been running at 78 degrees F all day with no problems. I think that heater will be better in the long run since it doesnt have to work so hard. The last one I had set at 90 degrees and it was barely giving me 77. This one is set to 78 and gives me 78 :-) Thanks everyone for your responses. I'm going to let the tank run overnight since it is slightly cloudy. The hydrometer reading looks good though. I will get the sand and rock tomorrow. I love that my LFS is open 7 days a week!