how long do you wait after you mix salt?

[fungia]

how long do you wait after you mix new salt to add to your tank for a water change?

 

[Anonymous]

At least overnight but I try to wait 24 hours if I can.

 

[minibowmatt]

sometimes my sw sits a week. I mix it up as soon as I am done with my WC, that way it is ready if i have an emergency.

 

[drbdc]

I do my water changes on the weekend and immediatly mix up new. So a week. I have done it faster but only when there is an emergency or ?? If I need it faster I throw a mag 9.5 in the 32 gallon brute container instead of the maxijet. Always with an air pump though. I think the shortest time I ever did was 6 hours under heavy mixing.

I don't know how many times I've had my butt saved by having water ready to go. Skimmer freak outs etc.

 

[Unarce]

I try and wait a couple of days. For quick changes, I use it right away if I mix with Oceanic.

 

[MartinE]

24 hours or so if I need it quick, but usually I have some sitting around a week ahead of time.

 

[Nanogasm]

Why do you need to wait at least 24 hours?

 

[drbdc]

The salts won't be completely disolved and the new mix can be more corrosive or harsh on the tank. It needs to be mixed and aerated.

 

[Anonymous]

They're just ensuring the salt has completely dissolved and is the water is equally saline all around.
Technically, you could get away with only a couple hours probably, but better to be safe.

 

[Anonymous]

I have used new salt water with as little as 2 hours of mixing. As long as the water has mixed clear, it'll probably do no harm.

Having said that, I prefer, and the expert recommend, mixing it for 24 hours or more. There is no definative answer here IMHO.

Mix it as long as you can.

Louey

 

[hogan]

10 minutes

OH MAYBE THATS MY PROBLEM

 

[pwj1286]

10 minutes

OH MAYBE THATS MY PROBLEM

lol me too, but I am changing
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[Jarosh]

So what effects would adding fresh mixed salt water have on your tank? I've been using fresh mixed water for over a year now with no noticeable differences from when I pre mixed and waited a few days. I mix it up in 5 gal batches, with agressive airation from shaking the jug.

 

[pwj1286]

Its not terriable. You just need to let the salt become chemical stable, which takes a while.
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