Why wait 24 hours after mixing?

PirateLove · 05/29/2016, 01:40 AM

Why do manufactures tell you to wait after making salt? Does it take that long to dissolve? Does the salinity change?

Xxero · 05/29/2016, 01:58 AM

In an emergency, newly mixed water can be used as soon as it clears.

But most fresh salt batches mix at a high pH, so it's best to wait for that to stabilize. I believe "stability" is the goal of the recommended wait time.

Pmj · 05/29/2016, 03:24 PM

Red Sea coral pro you can use very quickly, I believe you are supposed to use it within 4 hours or else it starts getting cloudy but I used it within an hour for over a year. Now I'm just using Reef Crystals due to cost and yes it sucks to wait so much longer.

cougareyes · 05/29/2016, 03:37 PM

That's actually old school thinking, contact any manufacturer now and they will tell you to use within a couple hours or so. You will get more precipitation the longer you wait and continue to mix.

fernalfer · 05/29/2016, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cougareyes

That's actually old school thinking, contact any manufacturer now and they will tell you to use within a couple hours or so. You will get more precipitation the longer you wait and continue to mix.

Not sure why this matters. You can wait as long as you want. What happens once in tank it just sits there and mixes with your powerheads same as in a brute tub.

cougareyes · 05/29/2016, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernalfer

Not sure why this matters. You can wait as long as you want. What happens once in tank it just sits there and mixes with your powerheads same as in a brute tub.

I use to wait overnight and would always be curious as to why I had to dose so much after my water change, I was using salinity by seachem. I decided to test my fresh water and found all the levels low, they actually put the element reading on each individual bucket. I called them and they told me to use within a couple of hours. So after mixing and water cleared I did a water test, and the levels were exact as on the bucket. There is also a vid on youtube by red sea that explains this more clearly than I can. I believe BRS did a vid on this also. Why this happens I don't know, but there is precip between elements when people make their water in the wrong temp, circulate their mixture way too long, and store the water too long before changing into tank.

CStrickland · 05/29/2016, 09:29 PM

For regular 10% changes I use the water as soon as it's clear. Like 20 minutes. I don't bother heating it either.

The thing with precipitation is that many salts include levels of certain elements close to the saturation point. They like to brag about it on the package, and it can lessen the need to dose. That point is lower as the temp rises. So long time mixing and heat means it is more likely those elements will precipitate out of the water as a solid. Especially with a fancy brand that has a lot of Ca and Alk like RSCP.

I use IO and IORC. I've tested my ph a few times and never found it to be out of bounds by the time the salt is dissolved. Perhaps they are thinking people would be using tap water, with more CO2 in it?

So since there's no need, and a risk, plus wasting space and energy, I don't bother. I also wonder if back in the day the salt was grittier and people did need longer mixes, then it just stuck around as a superstition.

Brieninsac · 05/29/2016, 10:04 PM

I use Red Sea Coral Pro as soon as it clears and is up to temp.

fernalfer · 05/30/2016, 05:59 AM

So i have had Instant Ocean Reef Crystals sitting in a 44 gallon Brute Bin with heater and powerhead now for 6 days because i was away. I figured i would get it up to temp and mixed ready for a big water change when i got back. So you guys are saying it is now no good and i should re mix new saltwater?

Argo747 · 05/30/2016, 06:32 AM

I don't understand why this would matter either? If I mix my salt and then let the temperature rise overnight you guys are saying all the trace elements will participate out of the water? That seems odd to me. I use HW-Marinemix.

cougareyes · 05/30/2016, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernalfer

So i have had Instant Ocean Reef Crystals sitting in a 44 gallon Brute Bin with heater and powerhead now for 6 days because i was away. I figured i would get it up to temp and mixed ready for a big water change when i got back. So you guys are saying it is now no good and i should re mix new saltwater?

The water is still ok to use but the problem is now your water will probably be low in some of the elements. Ca, alk, and mg are the most common we test for, if you test that water you will find their levels to be substantially low. You will have to dose that back up to bring it up to the levels you like to keep your tank at. I'm not sure if other elements we don't usually test for precip out also.
Argo I use HW also, that stuff clears right away, I mix it up when I'm ready to use it.

CStrickland · 05/30/2016, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernalfer

So i have had Instant Ocean Reef Crystals sitting in a 44 gallon Brute Bin with heater and powerhead now for 6 days because i was away. I figured i would get it up to temp and mixed ready for a big water change when i got back. So you guys are saying it is now no good and i should re mix new saltwater?

No. You're waters probs fine, you can test the alk and Ca to be sure. Op was asking about the myth that you must always mix for 24 hours before use, and heat the water to the same temp as he tank. The answer is no, you don't have to. Lots of people think they need to keep big amounts of water on hand all the time and have these complicated rituals for mixing salt that take hours and hours. If it's easier to just make 10g of rodi, add salt, and use it 20 minutes later, that's a nice option to have and there's no reason not to. That's the point of this thread. But if it's easier for you to do the other way cause of your vaca plans, that's probs fine too. You can always dose some two-part to bring it up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cougareyes

There is also a vid on youtube by red sea that explains this more clearly than I can.

I think this one? It's a very good explanation.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UlIHJ02NaKk

fernalfer · 05/31/2016, 07:59 AM

i guess i'm fine then because their is nothing in my tank yet. just doing water changes to lower nitrates. alk, calc, and mag not so critical right now with no corals.

almiller9 · 06/01/2016, 02:26 PM

I think it also depends on the salt you use. Alot of the newer salts mix in 15 minutes and test out just fine. I always wait 24 hours just because i have a huge 100g mixing tank that takes awhile to heat up. Dump in salt and do water change the next day.

05/29/2016, 01:40 AM	#1
PirateLove Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 511	Why wait 24 hours after mixing? Why do manufactures tell you to wait after making salt? Does it take that long to dissolve? Does the salinity change? __________________ "Pirate love, is what I'm looking for. Pirate love, is what i'm wanted for." Current tank: Cad Lights 42 versa. Kessil AP700. Some Sps and Lps.

05/29/2016, 01:58 AM	#2
Xxero Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,054	In an emergency, newly mixed water can be used as soon as it clears. But most fresh salt batches mix at a high pH, so it's best to wait for that to stabilize. I believe "stability" is the goal of the recommended wait time. __________________ "You Can Lead A Gift Horse To Water... But You Can't Make Him Look In Your Mouth." Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef Display - 15g Macro Algae/Refugium - 40b Sump

05/29/2016, 09:29 PM	#7
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	For regular 10% changes I use the water as soon as it's clear. Like 20 minutes. I don't bother heating it either. The thing with precipitation is that many salts include levels of certain elements close to the saturation point. They like to brag about it on the package, and it can lessen the need to dose. That point is lower as the temp rises. So long time mixing and heat means it is more likely those elements will precipitate out of the water as a solid. Especially with a fancy brand that has a lot of Ca and Alk like RSCP. I use IO and IORC. I've tested my ph a few times and never found it to be out of bounds by the time the salt is dissolved. Perhaps they are thinking people would be using tap water, with more CO2 in it? So since there's no need, and a risk, plus wasting space and energy, I don't bother. I also wonder if back in the day the salt was grittier and people did need longer mixes, then it just stuck around as a superstition. __________________ If you're havin tank problems I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems but a fish ain't one Current Tank Info: 3/2016 upgrade to 120g. Chalk bass, melanurus, firefish, starry blenny, canary blenny, lyretail anthias, engineer gobys, kole tang. Softies / LPS / NPS. <3 noob4life <3

05/29/2016, 10:04 PM	#8
Brieninsac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 782	I use Red Sea Coral Pro as soon as it clears and is up to temp. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 350 (73gal/18gal sump) / Kessil a360WE Lights

05/29/2016, 03:24 PM	#3
Pmj Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Cooper City, FL Posts: 229	Red Sea coral pro you can use very quickly, I believe you are supposed to use it within 4 hours or else it starts getting cloudy but I used it within an hour for over a year. Now I'm just using Reef Crystals due to cost and yes it sucks to wait so much longer.

05/29/2016, 03:37 PM	#4
cougareyes Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 713	That's actually old school thinking, contact any manufacturer now and they will tell you to use within a couple hours or so. You will get more precipitation the longer you wait and continue to mix.

05/30/2016, 05:59 AM	#9
fernalfer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 553	So i have had Instant Ocean Reef Crystals sitting in a 44 gallon Brute Bin with heater and powerhead now for 6 days because i was away. I figured i would get it up to temp and mixed ready for a big water change when i got back. So you guys are saying it is now no good and i should re mix new saltwater?

05/30/2016, 06:32 AM	#10
Argo747 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Cleveland Posts: 12	I don't understand why this would matter either? If I mix my salt and then let the temperature rise overnight you guys are saying all the trace elements will participate out of the water? That seems odd to me. I use HW-Marinemix.

05/31/2016, 07:59 AM	#13
fernalfer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 553	i guess i'm fine then because their is nothing in my tank yet. just doing water changes to lower nitrates. alk, calc, and mag not so critical right now with no corals.

06/01/2016, 02:26 PM	#14
almiller9 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 75	I think it also depends on the salt you use. Alot of the newer salts mix in 15 minutes and test out just fine. I always wait 24 hours just because i have a huge 100g mixing tank that takes awhile to heat up. Dump in salt and do water change the next day.