Salt to water Ratio?

ppht · 08/13/2006, 08:52 PM

When starting up a new tank what should aput in for salt/water mix. Is it 1 cup for every gallon? Is that correct?

Agu · 08/13/2006, 08:54 PM

Depends on the salt mix. With IO it's a half cup per gallon. In any case you need to check it with some sort of salinity measuring device once it's mixed.

neotekz · 08/13/2006, 09:24 PM

yes u cannot just eye out how much salt u need, u have to get some kind of testing equipment. either a hydrometer, refractometer, or a digital salinity tester. i recommend a refractometer it's cheap and reliable. hydrometers are cheap but they are unconsistent. not sure about digital ones

ppht · 08/13/2006, 09:27 PM

I am filling the tank now, I do have a hydrometer. The salt I am using is CrystalSea marinemix. I just want to get close on the salt to fill it as all I have in the tank is sand.

neotekz · 08/13/2006, 09:30 PM

if u are using a hydrometer make sure there are no bubbles stuck on the swing arm or it will not give a accurate reading, but many hydrometers don't give accurate readings out of the box. just do it slow and check often, remember its easier to add more salt than to take some out

bertoni · 08/13/2006, 10:06 PM

It's a bit over 1/2 cup per gallon for that salt, in my experience.

ppht · 08/13/2006, 10:37 PM

Thank you Bertoni!

08/13/2006, 08:52 PM	#1
ppht Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ma. Posts: 432	Salt to water Ratio? When starting up a new tank what should aput in for salt/water mix. Is it 1 cup for every gallon? Is that correct?

08/13/2006, 08:54 PM	#2
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Depends on the salt mix. With IO it's a half cup per gallon. In any case you need to check it with some sort of salinity measuring device once it's mixed. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

08/13/2006, 10:06 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	It's a bit over 1/2 cup per gallon for that salt, in my experience. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/13/2006, 09:24 PM	#3
neotekz Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: ottawa, Ontario Posts: 698	yes u cannot just eye out how much salt u need, u have to get some kind of testing equipment. either a hydrometer, refractometer, or a digital salinity tester. i recommend a refractometer it's cheap and reliable. hydrometers are cheap but they are unconsistent. not sure about digital ones

08/13/2006, 09:27 PM	#4
ppht Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ma. Posts: 432	I am filling the tank now, I do have a hydrometer. The salt I am using is CrystalSea marinemix. I just want to get close on the salt to fill it as all I have in the tank is sand.

08/13/2006, 09:30 PM	#5
neotekz Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: ottawa, Ontario Posts: 698	if u are using a hydrometer make sure there are no bubbles stuck on the swing arm or it will not give a accurate reading, but many hydrometers don't give accurate readings out of the box. just do it slow and check often, remember its easier to add more salt than to take some out

08/13/2006, 10:37 PM	#7
ppht Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ma. Posts: 432	Thank you Bertoni!