View Full Version : mixing Salt whats the best ???
SaltLifeBob
03/30/2013, 04:17 PM
mixing Salt whats the best ??? going to start mixing our own saltwater whats everyone using ??
bnumair
03/30/2013, 04:30 PM
there is not a universal or common answer for this question lol infact its pretty much asked every other day with same results.
its whatever suits ur tanks needs. what parameters are u chasing what salt delivers it.
i personally used to use red sea coral pro that gave me cal 440-460 alk 11dkh mag 1400ppm but now i am running a ultra low nutrients system with carbon dosing bio pellets and vodka dosing so i need more natural sea numbers. now i moved to red sea regular that gives me cal 420-440 alk 7.5dkh mag 1300ppm.
drew2007
03/30/2013, 04:32 PM
I've been using Tropic Marin Pro for years. Works for me and mixes pretty good.
billdogg
03/30/2013, 05:07 PM
And for a third opinion....
I use whatever is on sale, usually Instant Ocean. I figure because you need to test and add various chemicals to the tank anyway (Ca. Alk, Mg especially), you might as well save money someplace, and this way works well for me. Been doing it this way since the mid 1980's.
Bottom line, however, is as stated above - whatever works best for you.
sean-820
03/30/2013, 05:09 PM
One consideration is your tank stocking. If you are doing FOWLR something like \ Instant Ocean would be fine though for full blown reef you will probably want elevated calcium, mg etc.. levels not found in IO.
I have heard good things about Tropic Marin as well as H2O. I am currently using Reef Crystals though I am considering switching to one with higher calcium so that I can stop having to dose more.
SaltLifeBob
03/30/2013, 05:40 PM
And for a third opinion....
I use whatever is on sale, usually Instant Ocean. I figure because you need to test and add various chemicals to the tank anyway (Ca. Alk, Mg especially), you might as well save money someplace, and this way works well for me. Been doing it this way since the mid 1980's.
Bottom line, however, is as stated above - whatever works best for you.
!nstant Ocean :bigeyes: i picked up a bucket of IO 3 weeks ago and tried to mix my own saltwater twice and both times 1.5 lbs per 5 gallon bucket and after a week was still at 0 :mad2: the guy at the LFS whips us up 50 gallons in 20 mins and 1.024 every time .. I forgot to look at what brand there using i seem to remember yellow buckets at the LFS
billdogg
03/30/2013, 06:03 PM
I would have to guess that you are doing something wrong. I've been using IO for so long I only check the salinity of the freshly mixed water as an afterthought. 1 x 50g bag + 2 x 16of jif jars full in my 55g barrel = 1.025/.026 every time. As far as getting a "bad batch" goes - I suppose it could happen, but it's not likely IMO.
SaltLifeBob
03/30/2013, 06:17 PM
I would have to guess that you are doing something wrong. I've been using IO for so long I only check the salinity of the freshly mixed water as an afterthought. 1 x 50g bag + 2 x 16of jif jars full in my 55g barrel = 1.025/.026 every time. As far as getting a "bad batch" goes - I suppose it could happen, but it's not likely IMO.
I'll give it another try 2morrow b4 i pitch the bucket and buy another one , the LFS makes it look sooooooo easy :fish1:
Wizzard~Of~Ozz
03/30/2013, 07:31 PM
!nstant Ocean :bigeyes: i picked up a bucket of IO 3 weeks ago and tried to mix my own saltwater twice and both times 1.5 lbs per 5 gallon bucket and after a week was still at 0 :mad2: the guy at the LFS whips us up 50 gallons in 20 mins and 1.024 every time .. I forgot to look at what brand there using i seem to remember yellow buckets at the LFS
I would question what you are testing with. It is unlikely that it was still at 1.000. I put 1/2 bag of RC into a 26Gal can of RODI w/ powerhead, then add a bit as needed to 1.025. For a 5 Gal bucket, it should be just over 1/10th of the bag.
IO is the most common brand out there and is generally quite consistent. As others have mentioned there are a lot of variety that are need specific, but using them generally comes after you determine which one suits your needs the best.
shaggss
03/30/2013, 08:54 PM
IO. Simple, cheap, has no extras in it so you can mix it and leave it without it going "bad". Oh and because RHF uses it!
sasharotty
03/30/2013, 09:01 PM
!nstant Ocean :bigeyes: i picked up a bucket of IO 3 weeks ago and tried to mix my own saltwater twice and both times 1.5 lbs per 5 gallon bucket and after a week was still at 0
What does this mean?? Your salinity was at 0? What are you testing with?
sasharotty
03/30/2013, 09:06 PM
I am currently using Reef Crystals though I am considering switching to one with higher calcium so that I can stop having to dose more.
What calcium are you looking for? And what does your RC nsw test at? I used RC and was always around 460 cal.
cap032
03/30/2013, 10:07 PM
What does this mean?? Your salinity was at 0? What are you testing with?
I banking on a hydrometer that hasnt been seasoned.
SaltLifeBob
03/31/2013, 07:38 AM
What does this mean?? Your salinity was at 0? What are you testing with?
Instant Ocean Hydrometer :hmm1:
cap032
03/31/2013, 09:31 AM
Instant Ocean Hydrometer :hmm1:
Ding ding ding.... Many people use hydrometers, but they can sometimes be very innacurate. You need to fill it with salt water and let it sit for several hours (this will season the needle). After that, wash it out with fresh water and try to test again. Sometimes you even have to thump the side repeatedly to get the needle to move. I learned early on that I couldnt trust a hydrometer. I replaced an Instant Ocean Deep 6 with a Red Sea. The needle would stick with both, both would get air bubbles, and both would give a slightly different reading every time I filled them. Getting a refractometer made mixing salt much easier.
usmc121581
03/31/2013, 09:48 AM
Instant Ocean Hydrometer :hmm1:
Not to say your using it right, but are you? My kids mix my saltwater for me sometimes. There no sience to it.
dread240
03/31/2013, 09:49 AM
http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/26419271.jpg (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2278634)
syrinx
03/31/2013, 09:52 AM
Glass hydrometers are very accurate and never need to be recalibrated. They are best for beginers. Swing arm hydrometers are seldom accurate. Refractometers are only as accurate as their calibration, and never more accurate than a lab grade glass hydrometer.
reefgeezer
03/31/2013, 01:05 PM
Refractometer and a $3 bottle of calibration fluid for me. Back in the day, I t wiped out just about every coral in my tank using a swing arm hydrometer. I use Kent salt just because it dissolves cleanly and quickly but for no other reason. I've also found that no salt mixes to 1.026 (~35 PPT) if you mix per the instructions on the bag. I fill a bucket with RO/DI water, start a pump for circulation, and start adding salt in small batches until mt Refractomer reads 35 PPT. I don't trust just measuring the amount of salt I put in to get to 35 PPT because the batches from most of the manufacturers seem to vary quite a bit.
GroktheCube
03/31/2013, 03:46 PM
I like ESV B-ionic salt the best out of all that I've tried. Flawlessly consistent, very fast mixing, never any precip or cloudiness, and you can tweak the params to your liking.
SaltLifeBob
04/01/2013, 07:06 PM
Ding ding ding.... Many people use hydrometers, but they can sometimes be very innacurate. You need to fill it with salt water and let it sit for several hours (this will season the needle). After that, wash it out with fresh water and try to test again. Sometimes you even have to thump the side repeatedly to get the needle to move. I learned early on that I couldnt trust a hydrometer. I replaced an Instant Ocean Deep 6 with a Red Sea. The needle would stick with both, both would get air bubbles, and both would give a slightly different reading every time I filled them. Getting a refractometer made mixing salt much easier.
thanks i will try the season it approach however i have been using it for a month and if i test the tank or my water from the LFS it reads 1.024:headwally:
thanks again :beer::beer:
NewbyReefer
04/01/2013, 08:06 PM
I've always used a swing arm. Just have to rinse after every use and leave it full with fresh ro water so risidual salt won't affect it. When others have tested my water I'm rarely off and if so its by .001. But its rare.
Your best bet is to stick with a salt and get your messurements down. I've been using IO so long I just add 2 "empty fishfood" containers for a 5 gallon bucket and I'm dead on with Sal.
geemanaz
04/01/2013, 08:48 PM
buy IQ or RC 200g box whenever drsfostersmith have them on sale and can't bet the price with free shipping
Chicago
04/30/2013, 10:24 PM
here are some pics from my vat cleaning.. my top off vat.. i use a 60 gallon vat. this is what instant ocean has left me with.. cleaning vat tonight.. 3 gallons of vinegar.. and still going .. what a pain.. where does this stuff come from .. arggg
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab94/jasonreef/instantoceansaltresidueonpump.jpg
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab94/jasonreef/instantoceanflakesfrombottomofvatafterayear.png
shaggss
05/01/2013, 01:29 AM
here are some pics from my vat cleaning.. my top off vat.. i use a 60 gallon vat. this is what instant ocean has left me with.. cleaning vat tonight.. 3 gallons of vinegar.. and still going .. what a pain.. where does this stuff come from .. arggg
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab94/jasonreef/instantoceansaltresidueonpump.jpg
http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab94/jasonreef/instantoceanflakesfrombottomofvatafterayear.png
Wow! How long do you leave your water mixed for? I just mix mine 24 hours before I need it. Then refill the container with Rodi water, so most of the time my pumps are in fresh water. Never have a problem.
The brown residue is harmless, RHF says so! So no need to be concerned.
Chicago
05/01/2013, 06:11 AM
Couple of days only. Them refill with rodi water add salt when needed then mix and do again
cakemanPA
05/01/2013, 06:27 AM
I use ESV B-Ionic salt. Easy to mix and all my measureables come out the same every time. The salt and mag come as crystals. The hard to dissolve items are shipped as liquids. It is a little more expensive, but considering what I have in livestock pffftttt small change. Plus I can mix it and use it right away.
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