All this about mixing new water and a wait period

[mooner]

I have heard so many differining opinions and I am sure I will get some here. But here goes anyway:

When mixing up new water for a partial water change, to increase salinity, etc how long once you do the initial mixing up of the synth salt (I use IO) and RO does one need to wait to add it to the tank? On the box of IO is says "instantly" but I know how these things can go.

I ask because I am trying to slowly increase my SG to 1.023 from 1.022 and I don't want to do any damage with the additional mix. So far I have been adding small amounts right after a vigorous mixing for just a few minutes and until the new water is crystal clear with a SG of around 1.030. I then slowly add it in over a period of a few hours via my sump.

What is it that is not fully dissolved in these synths after this kind of mixing? I have just started an air bubbler in my latest pitcher of mix to dissolve it for a few days due to the results of a search I just did here but is this necessary? I do want to err on the side of caution and have the patients for the task but I can't see wasting time if it isn't needed.

 

[fungia]

i dont know what is the right answer but i always wait 24 hours or more before i add newly mixed saltwater to my tank. people recommend you aerate the water a lot to bring it back into some kind of equilibrium. i used to use airstones but now use a powerhead that is pointed to the top of the water and do this for a whole day or more.

 

[Bleeding Blue]

Why are you trying to increase your SG?

 

[mooner]

I targeted 1.023 as the SG I wanted for my reef due to several books I have read and advice from various web pages (including this one). I understand the range for most healthy soft coral reefs is normally 1.023 to 1.026. and hard coral may be even higher.

Some examples:

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/1153674.html

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/1233694.html

http://centralpets.com/pages/critterpag ... 1734.shtml

Here is a discussion I was in recently:

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t ... ht=gravity

Would you not agree that 1.022 is a bit on the low side for a reef aquarium?

 

[dgasmd]

Chief, natural sea water has a SG of about 1.026 give or take some at about 80 degrees. Do a search and you'll find out more about the natural environment of coral reefs.

As to the mixing question, If you mix it extremely vigorously for a few minutes, you'll be set to go. Most of the waiting period is because most people mix it by hand or with small pumps not allowing enough mixing. You could get a propeller attached to a stick by usplastics.com and mix it with your home drill over 5 minutes. I mix mine in a 55 gal drum with a little giant pump 4 md (1200 gal/hr) for about 30 min and then use. Don't trust me though, but do a search.

 

[bdelaney]

I mix my salt water in a bucket before I start to drain the sump. I toss a power head in the bucket and let it sit until I am done with the rest of the maintenance (clean skimmer, change carbon, refill top-off jugs, etc.) By the time I am done, the water is mixed and clear. I check the SG and adjust if necessary, then add to the tank. Not terribly scientific, but I just try to let it circulate until it's clear. That seems to work for me.

 

[drmartinmartin]

I just took a plastic coat hanger and cut it so it looks like a J and put it in my coradless drill and mix untill the next bucket is full, and then I do a water change.Done this for three years now with no problems. 8)

 

[wade1]

Mixing time is also greatly dependant on what salt u use... IO has altered their chemistry a bit to allow for much faster dissolution. MEI salts on the other hand take hours to fully dissolve (visibly even).

I believe part of the waiting game is to allow equilibrium to be established with the carbonates, but in a small % water change or addition, I wouldn't worry overly much about mixing so long as there are no particles of undissolved salt in the mix still.

Wade

 

[fsa]

I'm one of the ones that mix and use without any wait. No problem that I know of. You might also try using your salt mix to up your s.g./salinity when you top off for evaporation if you're not already doing it.

regards, fsa

 

[tkhawaja]

Most refrences seem to suggest a wait of 24 hours. I think that has to do with older salt mixes and trying to gaurantee full dissolution / gas balance. Personally, I do a vigorous mixing by hand then let a powerhead sit in the tub while I finish off the other weekly maintenance. Then do another mixing by hand just before I put the water in the tank.