Mixing Large Batches of Saltwater

[Darth_Tater]

Hi all,

Recently started on my water mixing station and had a question for those of you that mix large (50+ gallons) batches at once.

How do you measure the salt?

Do you measure by volume? Weight? If by weight, what kind of scale? I'm picturing a bathroom scale but am not liking that picture very much.

[billwill]

How do you measure with small batch? Why would you do it different for larger container? I know it takes roughly 2.5 cups of salt to a 5 gallon bucket for my salt. 50 gallons is 10 5 gallon buckets. Keep it simple. Measure, experiment, and test first time, then document what it was for every time after

[Darth_Tater]

I used a kitchen scale for the small batches, but they aren't rated for much weight.

[billdogg]

For my 55g barrel, I use one full bag of IO or RC, then add ~6 cups more before I even check it. It usually takes just a little more to bring it up to 1.025.

[Uncle99]

Duplicate

[Uncle99]

Initial salt mixed, measure, adjust, add salt or water, mix, test.
You’ll get better each time.

[moondoggy4]

Buy a box of a salt and use a single bag at a time.

[Darth_Tater]

Ok. So basically the secret is not to over-complicate things. Got it!

[billdogg]

Ok. So basically the secret is not to over-complicate things. Got it!

Yup! There are plenty of other things in this hobby to make more difficult than the could be - don't make mixing water one of them!!!

Until you get accustomed to the amount of salt you will need for your container, sneak up on the sg so that you don't overshoot it.

I've been using the same barrel for so long that, although I still do check it every time before I start using it, I can pretty much just dump it, mix it overnight, and go with it.

[MondoBongo]

For my 55g barrel, I use one full bag of IO or RC, then add ~6 cups more before I even check it. It usually takes just a little more to bring it up to 1.025.

this.

i use 55 gallon brutes, and i get salt that comes in bags (~50gal/bag)

i know that if i fill it up to a certain spot, and dump a bag in, it's gonna be real close to where i want it. i let it dissolve a few hours, then come back and test and adjust as needed.

i also use a larger than you need mixing pump (750gph mag drive). helps when you're making big batches.

[cody6766]

I used a kitchen scale for the small batches, but they aren't rated for much weight.
Then do math. Y weight = 1g saltwater. Y x 55 - 55g saltwater.

Or just measure it by volume. Either way, do what you've always done: check the SG, add water or salt as required, profit.

[Kriegad]

I have 150 gallon of salt water storage and 150 gallon of RODI storage. I eyeball 50 gallons of RODI into saltwater storage, throw a bag of salt in, let it mix for awhile. Then I’ll measure salinity and adjust by adding a little more RODI, or a little more salt.