Mixing Salt Debate!

[TheReefDiary]

So recently watched a few videos on mixing salt and am still left perplexed at what the correct amount of mixing time is. I saw people say as little as 30 minutes and others as long as 2 days.

I've done it at hr and I've done it for a day straight. I didn't notice a difference at all. Whether it was absportion or water clarity.

I use a WaveMaker when mixing my salt (relatively strong one) and put a heater in enough before the water change to get temperatures the same.

I'm also only mixing for a 13.5 gallon tank and do weekly 50% water changes because it's the easiest to track.

So the question is how long and how do you mix your salt?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Each salt mix is going to be different. They should come with the mixing instructions. Example I use Red Sea blue bucket. I mix it at room temp which is 68f for 2 hours then bring it up to temp to use.

 

[ReefGeezer]

If doing 10% water changes, I mix Red Sea Blue Bucket until the salinity is correct and the water is clear.... Maybe an hour-ish. When doing larger ones I wait a minimum of two hours after the water clears while bringing the water up to temp.

 

[Biglew11]

I also use red sea blue bucket. I heat the ro/di water the night before then in the morning of I mix in the salt for approximately 3 hours while doing tank maintenance.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I use Red Sea blue w rodi water that’s cold and mix til it’s clear @ 1.026 then heat it til 77 and add to system

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Blue ftw

 

[Mikedawg]

So recently watched a few videos on mixing salt and am still left perplexed at what the correct amount of mixing time is. I saw people say as little as 30 minutes and others as long as 2 days.

I've done it at hr and I've done it for a day straight. I didn't notice a difference at all. Whether it was absportion or water clarity.

I use a WaveMaker when mixing my salt (relatively strong one) and put a heater in enough before the water change to get temperatures the same.

I'm also only mixing for a 13.5 gallon tank and do weekly 50% water changes because it's the easiest to track.

So the question is how long and how do you mix your salt?

I follow manufacturer's directions for RS blue bucket - simple

 

[TheReefDiary]

I follow manufacturer's directions for RS blue bucket - simple

I saw videos of people talking about going super long so I was just confused.

 

[Reef.]

24 hours with a power head.

 

[rtparty]

Overnight at the bare minimum unless the salt has very specific directions.

It is much easier for me to get the water, heat it up, add salt, go to bed, check in the morning, and then do the water change later. Usually 24 hours minimum. Sometimes a full week before I get to it lol

 

[Jedi1199]

I mix fresh saltwater the day I use what I have on hand..

For example, today I will be doing a water change on my 135g, I will use most of what I have ready to go, I will refill the mixing can with fresh RODI water that I already have made and add salt to bring it up to salinity and temp. The water will be ready for use as soon as temp is achieved.

This is how I have always done it. Its not about time for me, its about temperature. I avoid adding cold water to the systems on water changes. Top-offs are fine, its a gallon or 2. Water changes are a much larger amount. I prefer to avoid swings that heavy.

 

[mpoletiek]

I have been mixing Fritz Reef Pro using the pump on the mixing station to circulate the water in the storage container.

I've read that it really depends on how well you're mixing it. I don't see a difference between 2 hours and overnight.

My strategy is to make sure the water is clear and the salinity is stable (2hrs) before adding more salt or RO water.

 

[Newjimky]

All depends on like others said .it all depends on manufacturers instructions some say to mix their brand a certain way jus tread you brands choice instructions/recommended

 

[CK00020]

When I mix tm pro reef it’s like 30-45 min, IO I use a buffer to lower alk so the ph lowers and I have to mix until it’s come back up like 24 hours.

 

[Reef.]

When I mix tm pro reef it’s like 30-45 min, IO I use a buffer to lower alk so the ph lowers and I have to mix until it’s come back up like 24 hours.

I started using an air pump, the ph raises within 1-2 hours, but I do feel the salt still needs 24 hours to mix.

 

[CK00020]

I also use an air pump, mixing like 35gal batch. I check it halfway and it always needs the full 24. Are you using Muratic acid?

 

[Reef.]

I also use an air pump, mixing like 35gal batch. I check it halfway and it always needs the full 24. Are you using Muratic acid?

I mix much small quantities than that…I use Seachem acid buffer.

 

[CK00020]

I use powder sodium bisulfate

 

[HankstankXXL750]

So recently watched a few videos on mixing salt and am still left perplexed at what the correct amount of mixing time is. I saw people say as little as 30 minutes and others as long as 2 days.

I've done it at hr and I've done it for a day straight. I didn't notice a difference at all. Whether it was absportion or water clarity.

I use a WaveMaker when mixing my salt (relatively strong one) and put a heater in enough before the water change to get temperatures the same.

I'm also only mixing for a 13.5 gallon tank and do weekly 50% water changes because it's the easiest to track.

So the question is how long and how do you mix your salt?

Bulk reef has a great video on this in their educational info. Was amazed at how milky their water was over extended periods of time. I personally mix my water in a brute trash can 40 gallons at a time. This is probably wrong, but I put my salt in first and then pump water from my closed water station with a quite one 1000 gph pump. This starts the mixing as I swish the hose around in the water as it fills.
Then I drop a different 1000gph pump into the trash can along with a heater and mix until it looks clear and comes to temp. Generally between 1-2 hours.

 

[PeterEde]

I keep my mix in a black bin with lid under cover. I have a mix going the last few days with pump to keep stirring.