How soon is saltwater ready?

[JCnflies]

I use RODI water and add Instant Ocean. My question is how many days would you feel comfortable letting the water sit (with powerhead) before you would put it in your tank.

The reason I am asking is that I have high nitrates (about 30) and want to knock them down thruogh water changes as quickly - and safely - as possible. Thx.

 

[jnfallon]

I feel comfortable doing water changes after 3-4 hours of good mixing. I do think overnight is better, though.

 

[jnfallon]

Also, 30ppm nitrate isnt all that high. I dont think its too high for most corals, anyway. If using IO, are you "correcting" params before doing water changes? IO is not good "right out of the can", it needs mag and calcium additions.

Justin

 

[JCnflies]

THx for getting back to me Now my nitrates are down around 15, so I am more relaxed. One more water change Tuesday afternoon should do it as long as I keep feeding less as I have been .

Is there a correcting amount of epsom salt for the IO? I add Kalk, so I think that should take care of hte calcium. THx.

 

[jnfallon]

Your kalk will add alk/calcium in a balanced ratio equal to what your corals are removing (hopefully), but if you are starting from a severely deficient starting point, it will never be stable at a good level. Better to correct and get params in line, then do whatever replacement method you need.

Testing and a log for a week or so will tell you what your tank utilizes in terms of alk/calc. Mag will be much much less. As long as your makeup water is at 1350 or so, you'll never have an issue.

Test (always twice before making any major additions.) and figure out how much you need to add of which component using JDieck's great calculator.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[fishome25]

i wait at least overnight

 

[MIKE NY]

I never had a problem doing a 10% change dumping it right in or waiting over night..as long as the parameters are about the same..cal/alk/ph/temp etc........As mentioned IO is low in cal and mag...........