Starting out

[forestal]

Hello all,
sorry for the dumb question
I am going to be using Kent sea salt. If I mix it into 5 gallon buckets, how long should I wait before I can use the hydrometer to measure specific gravity, or is there a rough estimate how much to add to make it easier? I realize the salt can take a bit to dissolve, but it could take a very long time for me to get the mixture just right if i wait hours in between each small addition of salt.
Thanks for any help

 

[Bone'Collector]

as long as your temperature if around 80 degrees and the salt in the water is fully dissolved, you should be able to get the specific gravity after about 20 minutes or so, just stir it up really well and make sure the water is the same temperature you plan on keeping in your tank!

 

[forestal]

Thanks for the info, that's a relief. I was hoping it dissolve fast.

 

[panmanmatt]

most salts tell you on the package how much to use for small quantities. for example my Instant Ocean is 1 cup of salt for 2 gallons of water

 

[Bone'Collector]

its really almost instant... as long as ALL of the salt is disolved and stirred up really well, you shouldnt have any problems!! If this is your initial fill and you put to much salt in, just take some water out and replace it with new unsalted water untill the specific gravity drops to where you want it!! If you find out that you dont have enough salt then you can always just mix some salt up with some water and then dump it into your tank untill your SG gets to where you need it

 

[cdeakle]

Forestal,

I also use kent sea salt and I also use 5 gallon containers to mix it in. You will want to use 2 1/2 cups of salt per 5 gallons. For my cup I use a regular sized glass coffee mug. I get a specific gravity of about 1.023. I also let the mixed saltwater sit for 2-3 days before I use it and I constantly mix it during that time frame.

Hope this helps,

-puff

 

[forestal]

thanks for the info.
currently have my tank up and running and feel like i am chasing the spec. gravity.
was 1.018, added to whole tank 1/2 cup salt. next day 1.030. removed 5 gallons and replaced with fresh water 5 gallons. now is 1.023 (afer 30 min) will see how it looks tomorrow.
I want the parameters to be stable for at least a week before adding any damsels/live rock.

 

[hdtran]

I'm a bit obsessive about measurements, so I actually calibrate my 5 gallon bucket by pouring in a gallon milk bottle (with water, not milk) 5 times, and marking the bucket. I then use a kitchen measuring cup to measure the salt. (In fact, I make 4 gallons in a 5 gallon bucket, so it's 2 cups to 4 gallons). I also make sure my water is at tank temperature, by using a cheap 50W heater (and a cheap powerhead) for mixing water. (The powerhead also pumps water from the bucket to the tank, as I don't like lifting heavy, wet objects).

If I were to be compulsive about measurements, I would additionally use my spouse's kitchen scale to weigh out my salt, to get 34 oz of salt for 8 gallons of water (1024 oz), which would get me ~33 ppt salinity (1.025 SG).

On another note, I observed from your web site that you're running an Emperor Biowheel, that you're planning a reef setup w/ LR, and you don't have a protein skimmer yet. If I were you, I'd remove the Emperor Biowheel & get and install a protein skimmer. The LR will be amazingly efficient at removing your nitrites/nitrates.

Good luck & have fun! You're really good at logging this stuff on the web site! (I'm using comcast, and can't, for the life of me, figure out how to set up easily a personal page )

 

[danmhippo]

Another easy way to mix and measure is to use a garbage can (new and clean) for all your mixing needs.

I would use a sturdy 28Gal or 33Gal plastic can, fill RODI, throw in half a bag of salt (doesn't have to be too exact), throw in a pump and a heater. While it is mixing, go do your chores such as laundry, force feeding the kids, or your routine bowel movements....etc. Come back a bit later and measure the salinity. Add more salt or water if necessary.

This way, you always have saltwater premixed and ready, and doesn't need to do all that hauling and carpet spills. When you need to do water change, just attach a long hose to the mixing pump.

(I would not put the garbage can next to the tank...........)

 

[forestal]

I do plan to get a protein skimmer, but figure i still have several weeks before i need it.
I took one of the biowheels off of the emperor 400 and removed the carbon, I'm just using it with filter pads and floss for mechanical filtration and have sponge filters on both powerheads. I have great water movement from the powerheads on each side.
As far as reef setup, I plan to start witha few fish and inverts, once I am good at caring for them and as the tank gets established (?1-2 years) I will slowly start adding corals etc. Also by then I will be able to save up the money for a good light ballast
thanks for the replies and thanks for the compliments on the web site Hdtran. I also use comcast but use geocities (free and lots more space)