i have 55 gallon drums and I find it easier to mix the entire 55 gallons rather than the 10% I'll need for the week which would be 10 gallons. I use aquavitro salinity and it says it's recommended to use in 24 hours after mixing. Is it cause it starts to lose its Alk, calcium and magnesium levels?
Week old salt mix use or not?
- Thread starter ibrat82
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DrPheel
New member
I do 15-20 Gal WC ea week and I start mixing my new batch of SW after the WC and let it sit for 6-7 days sometimes up to 10 when I'm late on WC. Never had a issue with parameters but I am using IO salt. if the company you use recommended to use it in 24 hrs after mixing, I assume they would not put the indication there for nothing. You can try testing it and see if its drops over time... only possible way to know.
I don't know but can someone explain why my aquavitro salinity is producing only 6.5 alk when it's says in the bucket it's guaranteed 8.4 dkh?
I don't know if it's because I'm pouring it in too quick or have participate but it's no where near what it's guaranteed to be. I'll be honest I never tested it when I poured the salt but only just now after a week.
So either I have had bad buckets of salt or its depleting by sitting for a few days.
I don't know if it's because I'm pouring it in too quick or have participate but it's no where near what it's guaranteed to be. I'll be honest I never tested it when I poured the salt but only just now after a week.
So either I have had bad buckets of salt or its depleting by sitting for a few days.
For clarification, does it say must use in 24 hours or wait 24 hours to use? Some salts need time for equalization. I always wait at least 24 hours to use.
I use plain IO, mix 55 gallons at a time, do a AWC of 1.5 gallons a day, so once a month I mix more to refill the 55 gallon container. Once mixed I don't keep it mixing and it is unheated. No issues at all.
thelawnwrangler
New member
I was told to use Tropic Marin bio actif salt a couple of hours after mix. I think the basic story was it was bio actif was some type of carbon dosing and you lose that after a little while.
I will have to try and read my box if you think that is what you got
I will have to try and read my box if you think that is what you got
What's the salinity? It might be guaranteed to 8.4 dKH at a salinity of 1.026 and temp of 25c (~77F).
I had a hunch... Reread #2
From their web site:
1. Mix salinityâ„¢ with dechlorinated tap or purified water. We recommend the use of a commercial dechlorinator like alphaâ„¢ to neutralize any tap water chlorine and/or chloramines. If source water quality is poor we recommend purification with a Seachem Pinnacleâ„¢ RO/DI system. To prepare small quantities, bring 35 grams of salinityâ„¢ up to a volume of 1 liter, or add 36.27 grams to 1 liter of water. [This is a little less than 1/2 cup of salt per US gallon of water. For 15 gallons use 7 cups of salinityâ„¢.]
2. Stir well to ensure a good mix. Although the salinityâ„¢ solution may be used immediately, we suggest mixing for approximately 24 hours to achieve oxygen/carbon dioxide equilibrium.
From their web site:
1. Mix salinityâ„¢ with dechlorinated tap or purified water. We recommend the use of a commercial dechlorinator like alphaâ„¢ to neutralize any tap water chlorine and/or chloramines. If source water quality is poor we recommend purification with a Seachem Pinnacleâ„¢ RO/DI system. To prepare small quantities, bring 35 grams of salinityâ„¢ up to a volume of 1 liter, or add 36.27 grams to 1 liter of water. [This is a little less than 1/2 cup of salt per US gallon of water. For 15 gallons use 7 cups of salinityâ„¢.]
2. Stir well to ensure a good mix. Although the salinityâ„¢ solution may be used immediately, we suggest mixing for approximately 24 hours to achieve oxygen/carbon dioxide equilibrium.
MidwesternTexan
Average Joe
Dechlorinated water? I've heard that before too.
I use my own RO/DI. But initially, I used tap, mixed in the salt- and things were fine.
NEVER had a fish have problems, etc.
The salt buffers out what chlorination is in there when you mix salt water.
FWIW, I often leave my SW with the mixing pump and heater for a week or more. Then I use for things like coral dipping, replacement for detritus I may siphon out of my FT or sump, and then add way more RO/DI to it and make more SW for 50g WC's, etc.
I don't think it matters much.
I use my own RO/DI. But initially, I used tap, mixed in the salt- and things were fine.
NEVER had a fish have problems, etc.
The salt buffers out what chlorination is in there when you mix salt water.
FWIW, I often leave my SW with the mixing pump and heater for a week or more. Then I use for things like coral dipping, replacement for detritus I may siphon out of my FT or sump, and then add way more RO/DI to it and make more SW for 50g WC's, etc.
I don't think it matters much.
kmbyrnes
New member
I always start a new batch of SW as part of my WC routine. And I don't always use an entire batch during WC either. I just refill my Brute and add salt to make it 1.025 and keep it mixed. That way always have 25 - 30 g on hand except for immediately after doing a WC. I figure that's when I will need it least.
It will mix for 5 - 8 days until the next WC comes around. I always do quick check of temp and salinity, but stopped testing Ca,Alk and Mg a while ago. It was my experience that they didn't drop enough to matter to my tanks.
It will mix for 5 - 8 days until the next WC comes around. I always do quick check of temp and salinity, but stopped testing Ca,Alk and Mg a while ago. It was my experience that they didn't drop enough to matter to my tanks.
scooter31707
New member
I do 20 gallon water changes every 2 weeks using Aquavitro Salinity salt also. I actually talked to a rep from the company and they said the mixed water is ok to sit. She said it is not recommended to mix no more than 24 hrs because it will start to lose some of it's parameters. She also stated that is best to mix the salt gradually and she used my case for the example. I roughly use around 9.5 cups of the salt for 20 gallons to be at 1.025. She told me to do 2 cups every 30 minutes for best results. When I was dumping it all in, I noticed it was cloudy and stayed that way for awhile. Hope that helps.
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