Heater in mixing bin?

[reef_ranch]

i make up 60 gals per week and use it to do daily water changes in my 400 gal system. The water tank is in an unheated garage. I heat the fresh r/o water to make the new salt water then turn the heater off and start the AWC.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yeah the 3 gallon difference is small, I guess it just seems like an unnecessary waste to me but maybe they need to do smaller water changes because of their lack of heat.

I recommend smaller AWC changes as being desirable for several reasons, including the no heat (which saves both electricity and may allow the salt water to last longer without calcium carbonate precipitation), and no need to match anything to the tank (one can add magnesium this way (I did), boost alk, boost or lower salinity (I've done both), etc.). It is also less stress on animals and is certainly much less work than manual changes.

 

[GSPClown94]

I recommend smaller AWC changes as being desirable for several reasons, including the no heat (which saves both electricity and may allow the salt water to last longer without calcium carbonate precipitation), and no need to match anything to the tank (one can add magnesium this way (I did), boost alk, boost or lower salinity (I've done both), etc.). It is also less stress on animals and is certainly much less work than manual changes.

Thanks Randy, appreciate the clarification!