How Much Salt do I add?

Shino74 · 03/14/2006, 11:22 AM

Sorry but us Newbies must be thick or am I just speaking for myself! Anyway I am currently setting up my 45g tank and at the add salt stage, however on the drum I have purchased (Kent) it does not give an amount per gallon to add. I have a book on Marine's but all that says is rough guide 2 cups per 5 gallon. What size cups? Tea Cups? Coffee Cups?? HELP!!
Oh by the way it is gonna be a reef setup (if that makes any difference)
Thanks
Steve

Shooter7 · 03/14/2006, 11:29 AM

I have never measured the amount of salt I put in. I get the water to the correct temp, get a powerhead going for circulation, and dump some in. I let it mix for awhile, make sure there isn't any that isn't dissolved laying around on the bottom, then I measure with my refractometer. I add salt or ro/di water until it measures at the right salinity.

mace88 · 03/14/2006, 11:41 AM

It is usually a cup for every two gallons of water. I just use a measuring cup you would use for baking measurements. Then test it with a refractometer.

eckrynock · 03/14/2006, 11:43 AM

I'm with mace. 1/2 cup per gallon. That gets me to SG of 1.026. Which is right where you want a reef tank to be.

bkwudzjeep · 03/14/2006, 11:49 AM

I have always used a measuring cup for mixing salt....and

To Reef Central

schristi69 · 03/14/2006, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shino74
Sorry but us Newbies must be thick or am I just speaking for myself! Anyway I am currently setting up my 45g tank and at the add salt stage, however on the drum I have purchased (Kent) it does not give an amount per gallon to add. I have a book on Marine's but all that says is rough guide 2 cups per 5 gallon. What size cups? Tea Cups? Coffee Cups?? HELP!!
Oh by the way it is gonna be a reef setup (if that makes any difference)
Thanks
Steve

For you metric folks that would be 250 ml = 1 cup. You need to let folks know you use that funky method of measuring things.

Sk8r · 03/14/2006, 04:29 PM

half a cup a gallon.

Bebo77 · 03/14/2006, 04:48 PM

i have a cup that i use for salt.. if i fill it to the rim it takes a 5 gallon jug to sg of 1.025

try and play with some cups that you have in you kitchen.. i never have to measure...

03/14/2006, 11:22 AM	#1
Shino74 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Birmingham UK Posts: 79	How Much Salt do I add? Sorry but us Newbies must be thick or am I just speaking for myself! Anyway I am currently setting up my 45g tank and at the add salt stage, however on the drum I have purchased (Kent) it does not give an amount per gallon to add. I have a book on Marine's but all that says is rough guide 2 cups per 5 gallon. What size cups? Tea Cups? Coffee Cups?? HELP!! Oh by the way it is gonna be a reef setup (if that makes any difference) Thanks Steve

03/14/2006, 11:29 AM	#2
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	I have never measured the amount of salt I put in. I get the water to the correct temp, get a powerhead going for circulation, and dump some in. I let it mix for awhile, make sure there isn't any that isn't dissolved laying around on the bottom, then I measure with my refractometer. I add salt or ro/di water until it measures at the right salinity. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

03/14/2006, 11:43 AM	#4
eckrynock Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 733	I'm with mace. 1/2 cup per gallon. That gets me to SG of 1.026. Which is right where you want a reef tank to be. __________________ Ed Genesis 1:21 Current Tank Info: 90 gal

03/14/2006, 11:49 AM	#5
bkwudzjeep O\|\|\|\|\|\|\|O Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,078	I have always used a measuring cup for mixing salt....and *To Reef Central* __________________ "You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead." ~Laurel and Hardy Current Tank Info: Taking a break for a while

03/14/2006, 04:29 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	half a cup a gallon. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/14/2006, 11:41 AM	#3
mace88 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anderson Posts: 75	It is usually a cup for every two gallons of water. I just use a measuring cup you would use for baking measurements. Then test it with a refractometer.

03/14/2006, 04:48 PM	#8
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	i have a cup that i use for salt.. if i fill it to the rim it takes a 5 gallon jug to sg of 1.025 try and play with some cups that you have in you kitchen.. i never have to measure... __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams