Help with salt water mix

[Bombel]

Can I prepare a mix today and keep it till let's say next month ? Or is it better to just do it a day or two before being used?

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

I recommend 24h turn around , I make it to use it and I give it a day to blend and I check it with my refractometer when I get it to lovel and then again before I add it , then I just mix it in after I take ou the equal amount . But def use quickly .

 

[drej424]

I use an old (clean) tank for water storage. I keep a small heater, an air stone, and a water pump in it for circulation and I try to keep it always filled. It's a 55G. It's never there for an entire month, but what difference would it make as long as the water circulates? I have a lot of tanks....

 

[Bombel]

Hmm cool thanks the only reason I'm asking is because I'm starting my first tank and the lfs I ordered the stand from is telling me I need to wait 2 more weeks for it..... Il just wait then I bought a 33 gal trash can a pump and heater aswell to mix the water in the can

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Oh if it's in a big bin circulating or in a tank it should be fine , I thought you meant like Poland spring bottles for water changes lol just keep tabs on evaporation levels

 

[Bombel]

Kk cool. Also ive been reading online about water parameters and everywhere I read says something a bit different. Should I aim for 1.024 sg or lower?! I have 1 of those instant ocean plastic hydrometers going to see if the local Walgreens has a tds meter so I can check my ro/di water

 

[basiab]

I try keeping 1.025. You can get away with 1.020 but in general most fish and corals like it higher. I think the ocean is around 1.025 in general but there are always fluctuations both in temperature and salinity.

 

[Bombel]

Cool again I'm new at this. After mixing the water do I need to test for anything else besides sg?

 

[fishman1069]

Of you put your rock in the bin with the saltwater, you can start your cycle now

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Of you put your rock in the bin with the saltwater, you can start your cycle now

100% great idea

 

[Bombel]

!!! Didn't even think of this! How about the sand? I'm planning on gettin natures ocean black beach sand it's bio active

 

[lnevo]

Make sure you really want black sand first and then yeah, it may not be as necessary. I'm curious to hear what others have to say.

 

[Bombel]

Is black sand bad? I thought it would look nice haha.

 

[lnevo]

It does look nice, but its hard to clean. Now is the time to decide

 

[drej424]

My nephew had it in his tank. It looked incredible but he got tired of it. He keeps his tank really clean.

 

[Bombel]

1 of those gravel cleaners wasn't enough?

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Black sand in my opinion takes away from that natural sea look , I personaly hate it

 

[Bombel]

What type of sand do you guys recommend?

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

I honestly forgot which I have but it's not too fine but soft enough for my wrasse to burry itself

 

[Greagzter]

I wouldn't recommend keeping the water the trash bin for that long. Personally I experienced some red slime algae from doing that recently. These buckets in my opinion leach unwanted stuff in to your water when left for some time. There was a thread on here not so long ago about using these buckets. Also as swinbk mentioned some salt requires 24 hours before being used in a water change. I use Red Sea coral pro it dissolves faster and is ready for use shortly after.