How do I mix saltwater?

[Anonymous]

Here's what I was thinking:

Read salt label, mix appropriate amount into 35 gallons RO water all in a big ole vat, stir with a big ass paddle.


Someone in the general forum was asking about powerheads to mix saltwater? what's up with that? can i just stir mine up normally? why would i put a powerhead in there? do you have to do anything else weird to make salty water?

*imagines self in a lab coat and safety goggles with exploding beakers and test tubes emitting vapor and sparks*

 

[mountainbiker619]

Here is a link to a pic of my water treatment plant
http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p ... ht=#310706
Its funny that I spend more time and money making good water for my tanks than I do for my wife and I to drink..LOL

 

[ChrisRD]

Some people (I am one of them) like to let the saltwater mix overnight before using it for a water change. The powerhead is useful for this type of continous mixing.

 

[Anonymous]

When I made my own saltwater I stirred it with a wooden spoon every few minutes for a half hour or so. That should be sufficient.

 

[Anonymous]

lol mountainbiker619. i saw that already. that's what sparked the labcoat visions and such that gave me such a case of the horribles.

*runs away*

i will stick to the "big vat and big spoon stirring" technique for now!

 

[Reef_Monkey]

i just mix mine in a 25 gal tote with a pond pump (535 GPH) overnight!

 

[pishposh]

I used to boil my water, then put it in a giant icebox, mix the salt in, stick in a powerhead, and leave it overnight with the top open so it can cool

 

[R33f_$hark]

I would also recommend getting a powerhead and letting the water sit overnight with the powerhead running. It just ensures a better mixture, airation, etc.

 

[Anonymous]

I use a 15 gal tub, mix every 20 -30 and then out in. I have never waited over night. But this has work for me.

 

[JohnD]

Letting the water mix for 24 hours or so really allows the salt to completely dissolve into the water.

I mix my water in a food-safe Rubbermaid 33 gallon can and use a Hagen 201 powerhead. While the powerhead is not very powerful, running it for a day allows for sufficient turnover, IMHO.

When I first bought the Rubbermaid, I did not buy the accompanying dolly. What a mistake. After using that first batch of water, I went back to Home Depot and got the dolly. Now it is a pleasure to move the can around my basement from RO unit to tank to tank.

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

i have a small tank (20, i call it a micro reef, just a bit bigger than nano right?) anyways i use a 3 gallon bucket and follow the directions on the package...(1\2 cup for every gallon, so it says) and i let it sit for no less than 1 hour..Im gonna even try the powerhead deal...thanx JohnD and Co. ....


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