can I mix salt with boiling hot water?

[azdiver]

Well with winter going crazy I wanted to know if I can mix reef crystals with boiled water? Is that abad idea

[jjmg]

It seems that it would get the salt into suspension faster than cold water. Why not just allow your water to come up to tank temp then add the salt and mix? Or add the salt and mix and heat the water to tank temp. The water has to match the tank water for changes anyway.

[billdogg]

sure it will dissolve faster, but I really don't see the point. The newly made water needs to be the same temp (or within a degree or two) as the DT water - I mix mine up the day before and use a powerhead and heater to bring it to where it needs to be.

[billsreef]

The hot water will cause some of the Ca and Mg to precipitate out, and maybe a few other components as well.

[edinphilly]

Wouldn't you also run the risk of contaminating the new water with putting it in whatever metal container it's being boiled in?

[Stevenliu9]

The hot water will cause some of the Ca and Mg to precipitate out, and maybe a few other components as well.

This would be my concern too, to have undesired chemical reaction under extreme heat

[thegrun]

The hot water will cause some of the Ca and Mg to precipitate out, and maybe a few other components as well.

+2, especially any of the "reef" salts which are high in calcium and alkalinity. Reef salts should be mixed in cool to cold water to limit the calcium precipitation and then after mixing slowly raise the temperature.

[gone fishin]

+3, Cool water to mix.

[fishchef]

Hot water from what source?

[Jetlinkin]

I would be very concerned with the specific gravity of the mix as well. Water with the same amount of salt in it will read a lower specific gravity at a higher temperature. So, if we mix hot water to a reading of 1.026, when it cools, it will have a higher specific gravity. Normally temp does not cause us trouble when mixing because we are working within about 10 degrees, but going from 200-180˚F down to ~78˚F, I would think there would be a large variation.

If you think you need to boil your water to sterilize it, you would be better off finding a new water source. One of the best pieces of equipment I have ever bought for my tank has been my RO/DI unit. It literally changed the hobby for me. I went from constant frustration, to enjoyment.

[ardsman]

Why go to the trouble or take the risk of changing the quality of the salt mix? it mixes well at DT temp or close to it.

[disc1]

Well with winter going crazy I wanted to know if I can mix reef crystals with boiled water? Is that abad idea

Just in case this was about trying to replace RODI with boiling of the water it won't work. Boiling kills the bacteria, but it makes the other contaminants in the water even more concentrated. It is actually making the water worse for your tank.

[Lavoisier]

Well with winter going crazy I wanted to know if I can mix reef crystals with boiled water? Is that abad idea

Serious? You have to use RODI...:fun2:

[cidbozek]

I'm just curiuos as to why he wants to do it in the first place.

[scoot15638]

Why not just use normal RO water...mix in the salt and let it sit for a day.

[mandarinfanatic]

How big is your kettle/pot? to mix saltwater you add salt to total volume to prevent precipitation of kh and cal?

[TreyK]

Why in the world would you want to mix salt with boiled water?

[FraggledRock]

^
Chicken noodle soup of course!

[TreyK]

MMMM I love Chicken noodle

[azdiver]

It was ro water and just that some salt particles wont dissolve completely so I just had the idea of the hot water and I just asked jaja

[toothybugs]

It was ro water and just that some salt particles wont dissolve completely so I just had the idea of the hot water and I just asked jaja

Add salt to water, not water to salt, and you should eliminate most of your mixing problems.

[disc1]

It is normal for there to be a little that won't dissolve. Heating the water would make that worse. Colder water will make it better. I know that sounds backwards, but it is true.