Mixing tank?

[Thinslis]

I notice that when I do water changes that the salt doesn't fully disolve and I'm pretty sure that is a bad thing. I think the problem is that I'm mixing the salt water its notting getting enough flow.

My solution that I've been thinking about is to buy a 55g tank and put a pump in there to move the water and dump the fresh water and salt in there and let it mix until the salinity and temp match my tank and then do the water change.

What does everyone else do?

Thanks!

 

[MalHavoc]

I used to just put my water and salt in a big 5 gallon bucket and drop in a powerhead and heater and leave it alone for 24 hours, or longer, so I think your idea is a good one.

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

thats what i do all except i use an older 30 gal. tank.

 

[Thinslis]

True, I probably don't need 55g of salt water, unless something happens and I need to do an emergency change at least I'll have some mixed up =)

 

[kkyyllee]

how long are you waiting before adding it to the tank? you shouldnt have any undissolved salt

 

[Thinslis]

I wait 24hrs, but I don't have the water constently circulating. I reach in every now and then and swirl the water around but I don't think that is doing the trick.

 

[kkyyllee]

you need circculation get a power head or at least have an iar pump going in there

 

[clavery]

We use Instant Ocean salt in 7G buckets with a powerhead and heater, and the salt is usually dissolved in 2 hours. We use RO/DI water, although I don't know if that would dissolve the salt quicker than tap.

 

[Osmotic Shock]

Use a Rubbermaid Brute trashcan with a powerhead and heater.

 

[Thinslis]

I guess I don't like the idea of putting a heater on a plastic object....

 

[Osmotic Shock]

I haven't had any issue with the heater, to me the Rubbermaid can is cheaper, easier to move if I need to, and less likely for me to hit it and break it than a glass tank. The concept is the same though.

I actually have two of them next to each other. One is hooked to the RO/DI unit, has a heater and powerhead in it and is used for top up water. The other also has a heater and powerhead in it and holds saltwater. I have a third powerhead in the freshwater can connected by tubing to the saltwater can. After a waterchange when the saltwater can is empty I flip a switch and pump fresh water in, add salt, let it mix and I am good to go for the next time. Makes it real easy.

 

[thekillerclownf]

to make lie a bit easier w/ the rubbermaid trash can, invest in the wheel base plate.
Its a bit more money but the added ability to move it easily makes up for it.

or you can mount it up off the ground and install a plastic spigot so you can drain it right into your bucket or gas can.

 

[andbigdaddy2]

Why the heater? are you tring to match tank temp or does this help the salt desolve?

 

[Osmotic Shock]

Trying to match the tank temp. It also helps the salt dissolve.

 

[iwishtofish]

My water-mixing heater attaches just fine vertically to the inside of a 5 gallon bucket with the suction cups. It doesn't contact the plastic that way, if that is your worry. You might make sure you mount it so it doesn't slide down and hit the bottom of the bucket. I suspect there is not a thing to worry about, anyway, especially if your water is circulating well.