How long to mix water?

[mpjmeyer]

I have water mixing in my 50 gallon container now that mixes with a Pan World pump. I also have a heater placed inside the container. About how long should I mix the water before adding it to the tank?

 

[Oscar47f]

That usually depends on the salt mix that you use. For example red sea recommends that you use the water as soon as its clear.. but it might be different for other salts

 

[mpjmeyer]

 

[mpjmeyer]

I'm using Reef Crystals. Temp is only at 61 degrees. Perhaps I'll mix it until it gets to at least 70

 

[mcarroll]

I hate to say it but mixing rigs like that often aren't very efficient, so you'll have to watch and judge your system yourself. (The flow is all at the top but the salt naturally settles to the bottom.)

Under good mixing Reef Crystals can be ready in 5-10 minutes – as soon as it's clear all through. Time how long your takes! :)

I would not heat the saltwater unless you were doing a 100% water change with it. Precipitation onto the heater (and the mixing pump for that matter) is likely, especially if the heat sources are left on for a long period.

I mix without heat, using nothing but a mixing paddle.

In my Water thread I tested a bunch of mixing configurations, including my hands, a paddle, airstones and multiple kinds of pumps.

In post #301 I showed the mixing paddle method. Ready in 5 minutes.
In post #306 I showed the best pump mixing method. Ready in 5 minutes.

That was 5 gallons....I mix in a 55 gallon olive barrel now for 50% water changes instead of 5% like in that thread.

55 gallons does take longer than 5 min, but not much longer! (If I can remember, I'll time the paddle mixing next time around.)

The paddle is 100% easier and simpler, BTW. No setup, no power cord! No pump to accidentally run dry. :)

 

[mpjmeyer]

I have a long piece of PVC I attached a heater to and when I first poured salt in, I noticed salt on the bottom so I stirred it up. It was all fine after that but I let the pump mix it for about 15 minutes longer.

 

[Bpb]

I let mine mix for 20-30 minutes usually. Never more. If it mixes longer it's because something came up and I had to leave instead of do my water change. Mixing longer just leads to sludge and gunk forming on the sides and on the pump.