Powerhead for saltwater mixing

[105man]

I use 3-gallon pails to mix my water for water changes. Any particular submersible powerhead you would recommend for mixing, that is fairly inexpensive?

 

[hdtran]

Hate to say it, but I've been using a Rio 800 for the past 3 years to mix my water in a 5 gallon paint bucket (about $4.00 at WalMart, lid is extra).

Not only do I use it to help dissolve my saltwater, but I also use it to pump water into my small (29g) tank. The 800 has sufficient oomph to pump from the floor to about 5 ft high. It hasn't exploded on me yet.

A couple of cheap tricks: I have a spare 50W heater which I leave in the 5 gallon bucket (helps keep new water at correct temperature). If I'm in a hurry, I microwave a cup of water & pour it into the bucket. This raises the bucket water temperature a couple of degrees.

I just bought a 18 gallon rubbermaid container at Lowe's ($5.00 or so). They also sell an industrial 20 gallon container ("The Brute (tm)"), but it's more expensive. I also made a dolly to push my water around (5 gallon, not full, is ~40 lbs; 18 gallons, not full, is ~150 lbs!) You may want to do this if your tank is more than a few feet away from your water supply & drain.

 

[danmhippo]

for a 3 gallon pail, any small pumps will do. I used to use minijets.

 

[liquid]

Here's a good link:

How to Mix a Batch of Synthetic Seawater in Under Five Minutes
By Craig Bingman Ph.D.
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm ... efault.asp

 

[Anonymous]

Great link Liquid.

B

 

[Minh Nguyen]

I use my drill also. I mix 50 g at a time. It take a few minutes, then I airrated it for a few more minutes. Let the bullbe get out of it 10 minutes max to mis 50 g. I leave it in my container for 24 hr before use.
Minh

 

[Joe DeSantis]

Just get a Mag Drive 7 or so. A drill exposed to or around saltwater will not only corrode but also become a shock hazard. Say for example something frightens you and the drill contacts the H20 with your hand still on it..... ZAP! A Mag Drive 7 will do the job just fine and without much of a wait...just my opinion.

 

[NewMan]

Just get a Mag Drive 7 or so. A drill exposed to or around saltwater will not only corrode but also become a shock hazard. Say for example something frightens you and the drill contacts the H20 with your hand still on it..... ZAP! A Mag Drive 7 will do the job just fine and without much of a wait...just my opinion.

hmmmm....that's what i thought initially of corrosion & potentially electricution :? Being a lazy @ss, i normally use a Hagen PH to mix my salt. if somehow or rather i am in a good mood, i might stir it with a PVC pipe :lol:

 

[ride928]

Buy a 200 gallon bucket of IO or Reef Crystals. They include a free minijet.

 

[mojodeli]

I use 2 mj 1200 with the venturi line attached in a 50g rubbermaid. I've used the water after mixing for only a few minutes without ill results. However, I usually let the water mix overnight if I am not in a rush.

 

[danmhippo]

I usually let the pump run for a couple of days before I turn it off and let it sit until I need to use it. This way I make sure all elements is completely dissolved, and I have water ready anytime.

I usually start mixing next batch right after the water change.

 

[Minh Nguyen]

.....A drill exposed to or around saltwater will not only corrode but also become a shock hazard. Say for example something frightens you and the drill contacts the H20 with your hand still on it..... ZAP! A Mag Drive 7 will do the job just fine and without much of a wait...just my opinion.

In open space with only a drill? I don't really see any problem. It is very easy and quick to disolve the salt completly.
I guess I am very lazy. I always look for the easiest ways to do things.
Minh

 

[Joe DeSantis]

Stuff happens and Mag Drives are cheap enough. Using the drill means that every time you need to mix salt you have to bring it out along with your jousting rod with propeller on the end. Why not just use an easy 4"x4" pump that you can leave in the bottom of the bucket till you use it? After using the drill you need to put it away, and not to mention store your javelin somewhere.... :roll:

 

[Minh Nguyen]

When salt does not quickly mixed, ions (Ca++ and CO3--) can precipitated out of solution and will not dissolve again. They precipitated because the local concentration of these ions becomes too high as the salt dissolve. How significant this problem is dependent on how powerful the PH is (relative to the water volume) and where it point in the container.
I never have any precipitate when I use the drill to mix salt. I have not check alkalinity of newly mix salt, but we can easy confirm this problem by doing a quick test. Mix saltwater hand stirred and use a power head. I think you may find that unless you mix the salt quickly, you will have some residual and the Alkalinity and Ca will be less.
I usually mix about 120 g at a time to change my water (500 g system) in three 65 g Rubbermaid. I find my drill work the best. I can finish the whole patch in about 20 minutes. I don't have to buy three PH to mix water. My blade only cost me ~$ 4.00 at Home Depot.
Whatever work. I just want to raise some of the factors involved in this, not very important, issue
Minh

 

[danmhippo]

Minh, interesting, I've never thought about that. Heh, I've always thought dropping a powerhead into the bucket is good.........

Is that why sometimes I find undissolved granules even after 3 or 4 days of continuous circulation?

 

[Minh Nguyen]

.....
Is that why sometimes I find undissolved granules even after 3 or 4 days of continuous circulation?

It is likely CaCO3. See if you can dissolve it in vinegar.
Minh

 

[danmhippo]

Heh, Thanks Minh, I learned something new today.........

 

[Emperator]

when i used to use mix salt in 5g water containers, i used rio 50's. worked like a champ.