Storing salt as a liquid?

[Goby Angyl]

I'm gathering the supplies for my first salt water aquarium. Just a little ten gallon. I've heard of salt crusting and I also don't want to buy a second power head/pump just for mixing.

I already know that I'll probably have to buy a second heater just for testing the salinity if I ever want to perform a water change.

Can the exes salt be stored as a salt slurry/extremely salty liquid so it's easier to mix?

If it helps any I'll be using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals.

 

[Anonymous]

I have ever had a noticeable problem with the salt mixes dissolving especially if you make the water up a day or so before hand.

 

[Goby Angyl]

So I don't need another water pump/power head for the bucket? Just stir it for awhile and leave overnight?

 

[Anonymous]

I'm gathering the supplies for my first salt water aquarium. Just a little ten gallon. I've heard of salt crusting and I also don't want to buy a second power head/pump just for mixing.

I already know that I'll probably have to buy a second heater just for testing the salinity if I ever want to perform a water change.

Can the exes salt be stored as a salt slurry/extremely salty liquid so it's easier to mix?

If it helps any I'll be using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals.

Salt creep occurs in any vessel or surface that's in contact or near where salt water is splashing. Have white vinegar on hand to control it, and take some care about getting it on your skin as it can burn and/or irritate.

Yes, you want to keep the pre-mixed salt water warm, both warm enough to test and warm enough to do that water change you're planning on. It could be stored that way, but I don't see the point myself. It's yet another step, you're still going to have to get it up to temp, store it, keep it clean, test it, and so on and so on. But if it's your preference to store it in such a manner I see no reason why it can't be done.

I would have a second and third power head on hand, both for mixing (and keeping mixed) change water, and 'just in case.'

 

[Goby Angyl]

I forgot all about the salt creep! Gonna need to watch the wall, the rug, the dresser. It's being built in the bedroom, against a knee wall, on a level without plumbing. Now I need to go buy a sheet of acrylic to cover the dresser top. It has this coating that I just know the salt will eat right through.

Thank You For Bringing It Up! And thank you for answering my question about salt storage, I see what you mean about it being more work. I'm better off just buying a cheap pump for the bucket.

 

[Anonymous]

You don't want to store salt as a slurry--you'll get precipitation of certain ions that will not redissolve. Calcium carbonate for instance. Randy Holmes Farley has recommended being able to brine up to about 4x normal concentration but that's about the limit you would want to go to. Hope this helps.

 

[Goby Angyl]

That helps a great deal actually! I already chose dry storage, but it's good to know. I'm already storing it dry in a dark blue glass gar that locks closed and has a rubber ring to seal out moisture. I keep it deep in the back corner of this bottom shelf of the open dresser the the ten gallon is sitting on. So it's protected from moisture, light, and in a cool place basically on the floor and because it's glass (cleaned it out excessively, drove my mother nuts watching me do it :lol there's nothing for the magnesium to react with. Hopefully.