Mixing Station Question

[bmbpka]

for those of you with mixing stations, I have a question. Are you leaving the main pump on constantly to keep mixed saltwater circulated? I shut the main pump of last weekend, and only ran a small hydor Powerhead to keep the water moving around. I opened it today and there is a film on top and the Powerhead is white.

Also are you leaving the heater on constantly?

I turned the big main pump back on just now and noticed this. I was under the assumption I should just turn this on before I do a water change to mix it back up.

 

[Tobbe]

Hi
i have mine pump on timer so it kick on every 3-4 hour for 10-20 minutes and use only heater then i put into salt then turn it of

 

[bblumberg]

My circulating pump runs for 15 min eveey 2 hours except when i am dissolving a new batch of salt. Then it runs continuously until salt is dissolved, typically overnight. I only use heater the night before i change water and then only if garage temp is less than ~70 degrees.

 

[bmbpka]

My circulating pump runs for 15 min eveey 2 hours except when i am dissolving a new batch of salt. Then it runs continuously until salt is dissolved, typically overnight. I only use heater the night before i change water and then only if garage temp is less than ~70 degrees.

Awesome thanks. I need to probably do that then too.

 

[bblumberg]

My.mixing station is simple. I use same pump to circulate as to move water. One of these days, i am going to make a 4 barrel system to prep and age water both reef and fw tanks.

 

[bmbpka]

Next question...

Made 45 gallons of water today. I’ve been taking samples from the valve I put on at the bottom for salt. I’m getting 1.029 salinity from there. However, if I take a sample from the top of the tank, I’m at 1.020 salinity. Why isn’t this mixing?

 

[Gablami]

for those of you with mixing stations, I have a question. Are you leaving the main pump on constantly to keep mixed saltwater circulated? I shut the main pump of last weekend, and only ran a small hydor Powerhead to keep the water moving around. I opened it today and there is a film on top and the Powerhead is white.

Also are you leaving the heater on constantly?

I turned the big main pump back on just now and noticed this. I was under the assumption I should just turn this on before I do a water change to mix it back up.

You should not leave the heater on, or the pump on 24/7 when storing mixed sw. It will encourage precipitation. It’s fine to leave cold for storage. If you’re going to do a large change after mixing, I would heat it up, and mix briefly before the change.

I usually will mix at least overnight, but usually I go around 24hrs before using the water. Many people have the tall vertical storage containers (mine is a 65g horizontal), and I think if you don’t have a strong enough pump, or it’s not oriented ideally, or you haven’t mixed long enough, you can have differentials in the salinity depending on where you draw the sample. If it’s not evenly mixed, you’re checking too soon.

 

[bmbpka]

You should not leave the heater on, or the pump on 24/7 when storing mixed sw. It will encourage precipitation. It’s fine to leave cold for storage. If you’re going to do a large change after mixing, I would heat it up, and mix briefly before the change.

I usually will mix at least overnight, but usually I go around 24hrs before using the water. Many people have the tall vertical storage containers (mine is a 65g horizontal), and I think if you don’t have a strong enough pump, or it’s not oriented ideally, or you haven’t mixed long enough, you can have differentials in the salinity depending on where you draw the sample. If it’s not evenly mixed, you’re checking too soon.

I started at 7pm last night. Guess I’ll let it go. This is only the second time I’ve made water since having this. Last time it mixed for a good 24 hours no problem.

 

[bmbpka]

I’m also running a pretty good size pump pan world 50px.