Mixing Salt and does it matter

[Str8linespeed]

I was at my LFS. I brought in a sample of water to have them double check my tests. Everything was pretty close to what I had. The person doing the tests asked me how I mixed my salt. I asked what he meant and he asked me if I add my salt first then the water or water first then the salt...

I told him both ways. He proceeded to tell me that by mixing it salt then water it changes the properties compared to water then salt. I asked him how, and told him that doesnt make any sense to me. He really couldnt give me a reason as to how, but this is what he was told/read or whatever. I kinda stopped listening to him at this point.

So Im curious, is there any truth behind which order you mix the salt water?

 

[jason2459]

Yes always add salt to water. The high concentration of salt will precipitate out many elements.

Good articles
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/

 

[Ghost25]

No difference whatsoever.

 

[Str8linespeed]

Yes always add salt to water. The high concentration of salt will precipitate out many elements.

Good articles
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/

Interesting article. Thank you!

No difference whatsoever.

After reading that article, I gather there is a small reason why they add water first then salt. I have not finished reading the whole article yet though. I find it interesting that it could change what is dissolved in the water

 

[billdogg]

Yes always add salt to water. The high concentration of salt will precipitate out many elements.

Good articles
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/

What he said.

What happens when your bag or bucket of salt turns to a solid chunk? Calcium and alkalinity precipitate out. The same process occurs if you add water to your salt rather than the other way around.

Don't believe me? Try it both ways. Take equal amounts of salt and equal amounts of water and mix them both ways. Test the results. The calcium and alkalinity will be lower in the solution mixed as water in to salt

 

[Str8linespeed]

What he said.

What happens when your bag or bucket of salt turns to a solid chunk? Calcium and alkalinity precipitate out. The same process occurs if you add water to your salt rather than the other way around.

Don't believe me? Try it both ways. Take equal amounts of salt and equal amounts of water and mix them both ways. Test the results. The calcium and alkalinity will be lower in the solution mixed as water in to salt

Simple enough to do. Im not doubting you, and its a simple enough test to do, I will have to give it a shot.

 

[jason2459]

Interesting article. Thank you!



After reading that article, I gather there is a small reason why they add water first then salt. I have not finished reading the whole article yet though. I find it interesting that it could change what is dissolved in the water

It can as the higher the alkalinity and pH value of water the higher the chance clacium chloride will precipitate out as calcium carbonate which wont dissolve back in well. This will drive down the alk and calcium in the end.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/

Colder water temp and higher magnesium can help reduce precipitation. Don't add a heater while mixing as there's no need. If you do a large water change then bring up the temp just before the change. I do regular automatic water changes that are very small so I never heat up my new saltmix.

 

[downbeach]

Here's a good article. There are two caveat's that I think are worth mentioning in the, "Mixing your salt water" heading. The first is about using a refractometer for measuring, which I agree, but I think it should mention that it should be properly calibrated using a salt water reference solution. Second, would be the part about storing the mixed SW for extended periods of time, which would be good if you're not using a salt mix that contains any organics, like any "Reef" or "PRO" type mixes, i.e. Reef Crystals, or Red Sea Pro, etc. These types can be kept for extended periods, but will require circulation and aeration to help prevent the formation of hydrogen sulfide.

http://successfulreefkeeping.com/learn/reef-tank-101/salinity-mixing-saltwater/

 

[jason2459]

Here's a good article. There are two caveat's that I think are worth mentioning in the, "Mixing your salt water" heading. The first is about using a refractometer for measuring, which I agree, but I think it should mention that it should be properly calibrated using a salt water reference solution. Second, would be the part about storing the mixed SW for extended periods of time, which would be good if you're not using a salt mix that contains any organics, like any "Reef" or "PRO" type mixes, i.e. Reef Crystals, or Red Sea Pro, etc. These types can be kept for extended periods, but will require circulation and aeration to help prevent the formation of hydrogen sulfide.

http://successfulreefkeeping.com/learn/reef-tank-101/salinity-mixing-saltwater/

Sorry, but that looks like someone copy and pasted plagiarizing Randy Holmes-Farley's article that I posted above in which Randy addresses all those concerns and has also written on refractometers
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/

I didn't see anything on that page indicating who wrote it. I would discontinue using that site.

Edit: looks like several copy paste jobs with out credit given and I would assume now that everything on that site is.

 

[downbeach]

Sorry, but that looks like someone copy and pasted plagiarizing Randy Holmes-Farley's article that I posted above in which Randy addresses all those concerns and has also written on refractometers
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/

I didn't see anything on that page indicating who wrote it. I would discontinue using that site.

Edit: looks like several copy paste jobs with out credit given and I would assume now that everything on that site is.

This site has been around for many years, and that's the first time I've ever heard anyone make any disparaging remarks about it. I believe that it offers good step by step practices, with understandable reasoning...regardless of who wrote it. As far as the "credit" issue you mentioned, it's all given at the bottom under "References".

 

[jason2459]

This site has been around for many years, and that's the first time I've ever heard anyone make any disparaging remarks about it. I believe that it offers good step by step practices, with understandable reasoning...regardless of who wrote it. As far as the "credit" issue you mentioned, it's all given at the bottom under "References".

Just posted this


Ok I see that down there now. It certainly is very heavily taken from Randy and not referenced well. If I wrote something like that in school it would have either failed or thrown back in my face to be rewritten with more references and proper citation.

It is not very clear who wrote what by just placing a blanket reference at the bottom. To me IP is very important especially in todays online world.