Quick salt mix

[thefishbowl2006]

I've read and know of a friend that says you can make a batch of seawater in 5-10 minutes with a drill and a paint stirrer attachment. He has done it for a couple of years with no problems? The article mentioned it has something to do with the high velocity breaking the salt up to a stable point quicker. Anyone out there tried this? I would love to do it instead of waiting 1-2 days.

Scott

 

[dad300]

i Use instant ocean and have never let it sit for two days.... I've always used it within 15-20 minutes of it being completely mixed.

 

[jacksonsmom25]

Oh dad300, your gonna get your hand slapped....shame on you for not mixing ahead of time...I've actually done the same thing for my little 10g. Never had any probs...knock on wood.

 

[dad300]

I've been doing it for 3 years..... never a problem... make sure the temp is good and off I go....

 

[Driftwood]

Same here, Just get it desolved up to temp and match pH. I've used IO and IO reef crystals.

Dave

 

[Hedonist]

I have also heard the same, some do not let it sit when they do a routine water change.... the amount being put in is minimal, unless you are doing a major change or putting fish or livestock in the newly mixed water directly, I would think it would be best to have let it sit longer..
denise

 

[Hedonist]

I meant to mention I had just read about this in Marine Fish and Reef 2006 annual issue in an article about what to do in case of loss of power, you too?

I think he talked about the air bringing the dissolved gases into equlibrium quickly..... however I have also heard that it takes longer for some components/minerals to dissolve... maybe this method does the trick...?
Denise

 

[Ewan]

http://web.archive.org/web/20011217234403/www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/sep/bio/default.asp


I found this on Randy's list of articles while I was searching for another article. I actually thought that mixing saltwater quickly was very bad for your animals, but if Randy Holmes-Farley can endorse this article by Craig Bingman, then it looks good enough for me.

I stand corrected.

 

[spotfin]

Is that why they call it "Instant Ocean"?

 

[bunsenburner]

Most of the stuff in salt water is quite soluable. Depending on the pH selected ions are near saturation, so it does take some time to become fully dissolved. I never noteice a difference between 30 minutes and a day. Depending on the source of the water, it could take time for gas exchange to achieve equilibrium, so I do the like paint stirrer idea.

 

[Driftwood]

I always have a powerhead in the tote when I mix water. It usually takes an hour for the temp to get up to 79.

Dave

 

[yeame]

I just get a couple gallons of water as hot as I can mix salt and add cold water to bring to temp takes about 5-10 min.

 

[Seajuice]

EWAN, thank for the article on mixing salt. Really opened my eyes as to why we need to properly mix ALL the salt in a timely manner.

 

[nickyblase]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7781983#post7781983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yeame
I just get a couple gallons of water as hot as I can mix salt and add cold water to bring to temp takes about 5-10 min.

I've always thought about doing that too, but had heard somewhere that the risk is higher with warm/hot water out of the tap to introduce metals, etc. into the tank. Is this true?

 

[Reeses]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7757394#post7757394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ewan
http://web.archive.org/web/20011217234403/www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/sep/bio/default.asp


I found this on Randy's list of articles while I was searching for another article. I actually thought that mixing saltwater quickly was very bad for your animals, but if Randy Holmes-Farley can endorse this article by Craig Bingman, then it looks good enough for me.

I stand corrected.

I have also been searching for that article since I got my 2006 Marine and Reef! It's been driving me nuts. Thanks for posting the link.

Unfortunately, it is true that if you mix salt with hot tap water, you will introduce more metals. Using tap water in your tank will most likely lead to cyano problems, and perhaps fish health issues. You can get better water by purchasing culligan water (available at most grocery stores or wal-marts) or by buying an RO/DI unit. A lot of folks here got theirs on e-bay for a good price.

Read this thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=922666&highlight=fish+health+tap

I know that some places are able to use tap water and seem to have no problems. I suppose you'd have to look up your municipal's water report, and then perhaps take a chemistry class to understand how to read it and what it could mean for your tank. :lol: I have the typhoon III by air, water, and ice and I couldn't be happier with it. I get 0 TDS, and I can be absolutely sure that my tank isn't getting what it doesn't need. Perhaps yeame is using tank heaters to heat the water before mixing.

 

[yeame]

I've always thought about doing that too, but had heard somewhere that the risk is higher with warm/hot water out of the tap to introduce metals, etc. into the tank. Is this true?

I have a well and it tests allmost perfect for an african cichlid tank or a reef tank ph 8.3 kh 9 nitrates allmost 0 nitrite 0 tds 0 my tap water just runs threw normal tap filter and I live in lisbon the whole town runs off a well my dad even uses his town water to top off his 5g nano tank even if I give him water