question on mixing salt

[Oldfishman]

The instructions I read said 1/2 cup of salt to 5 gallons would equate to a 1.026 mixture. It seems like I have to put a lot more than a 1/2 cup to get that mixture. I have calibrated my refactor twice and double checked it twice. Am I doing something wrong or have I missed something?

 

[nereefpat]

Closer to 1/2 cup per gallon, so 2 1/2 cups.

 

[oldhead]

Instant Ocean is 1 cup per gallon. I think you haven't added enough. Keep adding slowly until you get where you need to be.

 

[nereefpat]

Instant Ocean is 1 cup per gallon.

Nope.

http://www.instantocean.com/products/sea-salt-mixes/sea-salt-mixture.aspx

 

[Kardjunkie]

Most salts don't have 1/2 cup per gallon to make 1.026. Instant Ocean I think half cup per gallon is only like 1.020. I normally half to go slightly higher than a half cup per gallon to get 1.025 that I want.


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[Pet Detective]

Buy a good refractometer and practice mixing, let the salt mix dissolve for at least 30 minutes and then test, once you figure it out, it's just a matter of "rinse & repeat"

 

[jawaiianmon]

Buy a good refractometer and practice mixing, let the salt mix dissolve for at least 30 minutes and then test, once you figure it out, it's just a matter of "rinse & repeat"

Refractometers are definitely nice to have.

 

[ramseynb]

Refractometers are definitely nice to have.

Especially the digital Milwaukee one. Best $100 I've spent on a piece of gear.

 

[mcgyvr]

In general most salt mixes take a bit more than 1/2 cup per gallon to get to 1.026..
If you trust your calibration then go with whatever it is.

 

[homer1475]

I mix up 25G at a time, I also buy the 200G boxes of IO. Each bag is good for 50G of 1.025. I dump in half a bag, test and it's usually pretty good.

 

[oldhead]

Nope.

http://www.instantocean.com/products/sea-salt-mixes/sea-salt-mixture.aspx

Well it takes 5 cups for 5 gallons to get 1.026

 

[lapin]

I mix mine to about 1.020. Use it for the rotifers. Then I add some more and test get it up to the proper level. Without testing or using an accurate gram scale you are just guessing. I think a lot of people kinda guess with a measuring cup when it should really be weighed.
My .02

 

[Navig8tr]

I mix by weight. I fill a 5 gal bucket to 1 inch below the rim with RO water and mix in 27 ounces of IO salt. It mixes so reliably to 1.026 that I only occasionally batch check with my refractometer.

 

[afish70]

I use Red Sea Coral Pro Salt mix and for 15 gallons i use like 8 cups and get right at 1.025.