Pond Aerator for Mixing salt.

[ChaoticReefer]

I have to use air to mix my salt (I.O.) or comes out cloudy. It just splatters the insolubles out (which usually end up around the rim of my mixing barrel) making the water clear. I have been using Coralife Super Luft Pump SL-38. At first it was great. It turned the water violently, but it quickly got weaker and now it takes time just to get the air started on some airstones. I can buy a rebuild kit and it's cheap, but it's not even 2 years old and most of that time it ran probably 1/2 of what was on first day. So I was wondering if anybody use a pond aerator for mixing salt? If so, which one? How long have you had it?

I mix a 20g barrel at a time.

Any info would greatly be appreciated.

 

[AlSimmons]

I'm not too familiar with a pond aerator, but couldn't you just buy a small powerhead to mix up your salt? Something like an Aquaclear 802 would be perfect for this IMO. You can also use the pump to blast your rocks during a water change too.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4586+4644&pcatid=4644

 

[Sk8r]

Pond aerators are spendy. Just get a small Eheim pump and a stub hose and let it run 24 hours. The cloudiness is undissolved minerals, I suspect, and a stronger pump would do the job.

 

[ChaoticReefer]

Pond aerators are spendy. Just get a small Eheim pump and a stub hose and let it run 24 hours. The cloudiness is undissolved minerals, I suspect, and a stronger pump would do the job.

Nope, it's not the time or flow. I have mixed it with strong flow only, it is still cloudy. I always mix it 24 hrs or longer, cloudiness remains.

 

[Klaus777]

there shouldn't be anything undissolved in your salt mix after 24 hours of mixing with a good water pump. I would suspect you are seeing something precipitating out of solution.

Whats your source water, tap water, softened or hard, RO/DI?

What color are these flakes you see collecting around the rim, white or brown?

Is this reef cystals salt or the plain Instant Ocean?

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

I agree, if you have cloudy water after a few hours of mixing, something is wrong. Are you adding water to salt, or salt to a full water container? This makes a difference as well as the salt should be added somewhat slowly. If you have salt and add water, the initial mixture is too salty, and will precipitate things that will not redisolve, leaving cloudy unusable water.

I'd suggest adding the salt more slowly and see if that helps, while using a water pump to mix the water or a powerhead.

 

[AlSimmons]

Just out of curiosity how long has your tank been set up for and how does everything look? Just because the newly mixed saltwater looks a little off doesn't necessarily mean that it's bad. Are the parameters way off?

 

[ChaoticReefer]

there shouldn't be anything undissolved in your salt mix after 24 hours of mixing with a good water pump. I would suspect you are seeing something precipitating out of solution.

Whats your source water, tap water, softened or hard, RO/DI?

What color are these flakes you see collecting around the rim, white or brown?

Is this reef cystals salt or the plain Instant Ocean?

RO/DI

Off white

Plain I.O.

 

[ChaoticReefer]

I agree, if you have cloudy water after a few hours of mixing, something is wrong. Are you adding water to salt, or salt to a full water container? This makes a difference as well as the salt should be added somewhat slowly. If you have salt and add water, the initial mixture is too salty, and will precipitate things that will not redisolve, leaving cloudy unusable water.

I'd suggest adding the salt more slowly and see if that helps, while using a water pump to mix the water or a powerhead.

Salt into full barrel of water. Fast or slow, it doesn't matter, it still cloudy either way, I have tried. The parameters are fine.

 

[Klaus777]

Have you tried a different brand of salt? and if so did you see the same results?

 

[ChaoticReefer]

Just out of curiosity how long has your tank been set up for and how does everything look? Just because the newly mixed saltwater looks a little off doesn't necessarily mean that it's bad. Are the parameters way off?

This tank has been up over 3 years, but I have been in the hobby since 1999 with one break. The parameters are fine.

 

[ChaoticReefer]

Have you tried a different brand of salt? and if so did you see the same results?

I can't say I have in recent times, but I have tried others such as T.M. and few others, but I.O. always came out clear back then, compared to the others.

 

[Klaus777]

I used to use I.O.'s Reef Crystals and there was always a brown precipitate that left residue on everything inside the mixing barrels. If the flow was high or if a stirred it up it would be a mess for an hour until it settled. it never had any negative effects on the tank but it was more pain than value.
I switched salts and no longer have any issue. I'm just saying it might be worth a try.

 

[ChaoticReefer]

I used to use I.O.'s Reef Crystals and there was always a brown precipitate that left residue on everything inside the mixing barrels. If the flow was high or if a stirred it up it would be a mess for an hour until it settled. it never had any negative effects on the tank but it was more pain than value.
I switched salts and no longer have any issue. I'm just saying it might be worth a try.

I wouldn't mind trying others again. Besides I.O. what's the next popular salt?

 

[Klaus777]

I'm using Kent Marine right now. Mainly because it was at a close price point as Reef Crystals but has higher Alk and Cal levels.