Reef Crystals Mixing time?

[SirDukelll]

I am slowly switching to Instant ocean Reef Crystals for my 13.5 Gal reef tank. How long should i let the saltwater mix for? I plan on doing a 2 gallon water change every 5 days.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I mix for 24 hours to 48 hours.

 

[Dan_P]

I am slowly switching to Instant ocean Reef Crystals for my 13.5 Gal reef tank. How long should i let the saltwater mix for? I plan on doing a 2 gallon water change every 5 days.

A few minutes is enough.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I am slowly switching to Instant ocean Reef Crystals for my 13.5 Gal reef tank. How long should i let the saltwater mix for? I plan on doing a 2 gallon water change every 5 days.

Instant Ocean (regular and reef crystals) isn't one that needs excessive mixing (but it also won't hurt it if you mix for a longer time). I usually mix it until it's heated to the same temp as the tank - by then, the salt has long since dissolved. You can store it in a container with a lid for quite a while and then just remix for a few minutes (or long enough to heat it again if you need to), and it will be good to go. Just double check the salinity to account for evap if the lid isn't tight-fitting.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

In a dark mixing station it looks mixed, test have shown it takes 12 hours to fully clear. In a 13 gallon it is important.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

In a small 13 gallon it is best practice especially with reef crystal, to fully mix solution and make sure if salinity. Reef crystal has been shown to take longer than most to clear up and fully mix

Since when?? I've used it for 7 years and it always mixes really fast.

 

[19Mateo83]

I let mine mix over night.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I let mine mix over night.

Not going to hurt anything, but it's not necessary.

 

[19Mateo83]

Not going to hurt anything, but it's not necessary.

I do it that way I know it’s mixed and I’m not waiting on it. Set it and forget it. ;)

 

[Matt L]

I let mine mix in a 30 gallon brute can overnight for alk stability. The directions say it can be used immediately though.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

 

[Aaron75]

Since when?? I've used it for 7 years and it always mixes really fast.

Right? Mine mixes in like 20 minutes

 

[harper]

I started filtering my instant ocean and reef crystals with a 1 micron filter. It really has helped with maintaining clear and clean mixing container and aquariums. I mix for at least 2 hours in a 40 breeder with two gyers and a recirculating pump through the 1 micron filter. The pic is comparing new vs 4 buckets of reef crystals. I have 2 quarantines each less than 10 gallons which I do 100% water changes on. Before filtering that brown crap would settle on the glass and bottom after wc. Fwiw.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I started filtering my instant ocean and reef crystals with a 1 micron filter. It really has helped with maintaining clear and clean mixing container and aquariums. I mix for at least 2 hours in a 40 breeder with two gyers and a recirculating pump through the 1 micron filter. The pic is comparing new vs 4 buckets of reef crystals. I have 2 quarantines each less than 10 gallons which I do 100% water changes on. Before filtering that brown crap would settle on the glass and bottom after wc. Fwiw.

Yes, it's well known that Instant Ocean contains binders that can leave a brown residue in mixing containers. It's been shown time and time again that it does not harm anything. No need at all to filter artificial saltwater, lol!!

 

[homer1475]

I started filtering my instant ocean and reef crystals with a 1 micron filter. It really has helped with maintaining clear and clean mixing container and aquariums. I mix for at least 2 hours in a 40 breeder with two gyers and a recirculating pump through the 1 micron filter. The pic is comparing new vs 4 buckets of reef crystals. I have 2 quarantines each less than 10 gallons which I do 100% water changes on. Before filtering that brown crap would settle on the glass and bottom after wc. Fwiw.

dang I filter mine also, but use regular purple box IO. I go through 5 200G boxes before I switch out my 1 micron filter, and it's no where near as brown as your is using IORC.

 

[homer1475]

Yes, it's well known that Instant Ocean contains binders that can leave a brown residue in mixing containers. It's been shown time and time again that it does not harm anything. No need at all to filter artificial saltwater, lol!!

Certainly not needed, no. But, and this is a big but, if you could simply filter out the "brown crud" keep your mixing barrels clean, and not send that to the tank, why not?

 

[Makara23]

I've used both Instant Ocean standard purple and Reef Crystal, and they both mix very fast. About an hour with powerhead and heater dissolves everything. It's advertised as a fast salt mix.

 

[Derrick0580]

I just let my RC mix till I can not see any powder on the bottom of the brute. 20-30 minutes

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

Not going to hurt anything, but it's not necessary.

I usually do too, but it's just out of laziness tbh.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Certainly not needed, no. But, and this is a big but, if you could simply filter out the "brown crud" keep your mixing barrels clean, and not send that to the tank, why not?

Personally, because it's not a lot considering all the other "crud" in the tank, and I rinse out my mixing barrels (brute cans) after each use :)