Measuring salt for your mixing

[1DeR9_3Hy]

How do you guys measure you salt, or rather know how much to add per gallon you are making up?

Ive been in this hobby for years, and still i guess everytime and get to around 1.015, then add a little more and wait. Then test again, add more salt or water depending on what the s.g reads, then wait again...rinse repeat.

I would really like to get to where i dont have to do that. If i could find a formula to get me closer to 1.026 everytime, then only have to adjust once that would be great.

 

[theatrus]

One heaping one cup measuring cup per 2 gallons

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Like a standard measuring cup?

 

[Shiandy]

For me, I fill my RO water container (approx 30g) to a set level, and then use a cup (same cup everytime). Then count how many cups needed to get it to the right level.

Now when I make up a new batch, I know exactly how many cups of salt to add, I always test it after, but always come's back to the same result.

 

[Stroob]

1/2 cup measuring cup and 5 per bucket of water. Never off by enough to adjust.

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

5 gallon bucket i assume? Thanks guys

 

[awestruck]

1/2 cup per gallon.

 

[eums]

I started using a scale due to always needing to adjust, using ESV salt as well so it really made things go faster for me.

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

I started using a scale due to always needing to adjust, using ESV salt as well so it really made things go faster for me.

What ratio do you aim for? How many lbs/gal?

 

[Toddrtrex]

I make up 5 gallons at a time, I use 2.2 of the red Solo cups each time, pretty much spot on each time.

 

[goochesfish]

my bucket of salt says it's 20.1 Kg per 150 gallons. I bought a scale from office depot and divided it in 6 and put each in tupperware. I make 25 gallons or RO/DI at a time and I dump in the pre measured salt.

 

[SuperNemo]

I have a 5 gallon bucket from lowes, there is a line on inside the bucket that i usually fill it up to. Also a good scale works better than a measuring cup. I measure exactly 750 grams of salt for 5 gallons of water. It always gets me to 1.025-6.

As always you should check the sp with whatever method you use.

 

[virginiadiver69]

I use a postal scale that you can get on ebay for less than $10. I weigh out 9.5 lbs and dump it into my Brute holding tank with a mag 5 running.

 

[Kamel]

Not really an answer to your question, but thought I'd mention I found a whole set of plastic measuring cups at the dollar tree I purchased just for my aquarium. Only $1, and being able to have the measurements for all the random stuff I end up doing to the tank is nice. I'd recommend it.

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

seachem reef: 3 cups/5gal is 1.025

I can see where wt would be even better given salt clumps in the cup/funnel too!

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Tons of good answers here guys, thanks to all!

 

[tozzi]

1/2 cup per gallon.

+1.

I think it says this on instant ocean or one of em. So to be more exact, if your makin 30 gallons, Put 15 cups of water in somethin and mark a line on it. Then use this to fill up with salt to the line when u mix and it will b right on all the time.

 

[Praben]

+2 on 1/2 cup per gallon. Never had a problem. Someone told me that when i started and used it ever since. I didn't realize people went so much more in depth and had trouble.

 

[Raggamuffin]

I also used the 1/2 cup per method but had to adjust here and there.

What I ended up doing was useing a sharpie to get an exact mark on the INSIDE of my water bucket (I decided on a thumb length down use whatever you want), filled RO to the line then used a 2 cup measuring cup. 1 full leveled scoop then kept adding small amounts from a 1/8 cup that I leveled. Once I got it "perfect" I used that many to fill the 2cup container again and marked it (since that was clear I sharpied the outside). From that point on it was litterally a 2 minute deal to get water mixxing with having to remark once in a great while.

 

[khaosinc]

I usually just use the whole bucket... then add some till it reads right...

LOL

the joys of 200+ gallon water changers.