Salt for automatic water changes.

[Notsolostfish]

I currently have brs blue bucket, and i lately got the neptune awc setup for awc. Just need the right salt. What salt would yall recommend for awc? The brs blue bucket not meant for awc

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why not?

Any salt is fine for AWC, although very high alk mixes may lose some alk over time.

I use normal IO in mine.

 

[mmodo]

Why not?

Any salt is fine for AWC, although very high alk mixes may lose some alk over time.

I use normal IO in mine.

The concern may be about how long the salt water can sit before it goes bad? I think there's a lot of apprehension about having salt water sit for 7+ days when it comes to nutrients dissipating out of the water column. I haven't seen a lot of positive commentary about leaving water for prolonged periods of time.

 

[Boo Baker]

It goes from one container into a bigger container, i.e. fish tank. We don't worry about salt " going bad" in the tank. If it goes bad in 7 days all our tanks would be crashing

 

[BZOFIQ]

I think there's a lot of apprehension about having salt water sit for 7+ days when it comes to nutrients dissipating out of the water column.

I had this very thing happen to me on April 1st. Mixed a whole batch, sat for 7 days and after 7 days it was pure RO again. Kid you not - measured 0 TDS.





Take above reply with a grain of ....salt. :face-with-hand-over-mouth:

 

[Boo Baker]

I had this very thing happen to me on April 1st. Mixed a whole batch, sat for 7 days and after 7 days it was pure RO again. Kid you not - measured 0 TDS.





Take above reply with a grain of ....salt.

I am coming over this week to party with you!!! we can watch the water bucket all week!

 

[Pistondog]

I currently have brs blue bucket, and i lately got the neptune awc setup for awc. Just need the right salt. What salt would yall recommend for awc? The brs blue bucket not meant for awc

Use your brs blue salt.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Use your brs blue salt.

...or any other salt you wish to use, just not the kosher stuff your wife has in the kitchen.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The concern may be about how long the salt water can sit before it goes bad? I think there's a lot of apprehension about having salt water sit for 7+ days when it comes to nutrients dissipating out of the water column. I haven't seen a lot of positive commentary about leaving water for prolonged periods of time.

No salt has a problem sitting unheated and unstirred except those with added organics.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It goes from one container into a bigger container, i.e. fish tank. We don't worry about salt " going bad" in the tank. If it goes bad in 7 days all our tanks would be crashing

Not quite true. Precipitation of calcium carbonate is much faster in raw salt water than the same water once in the tank due to effects of organics, phosphate, and bacteria. :)

 

[Notsolostfish]

Not quite true. Precipitation of calcium carbonate is much faster in raw salt water than the same water once in the tank due to effects of organics, phosphate, and bacteria. :)

redsea says the salt should sit after.its mix and dump

 

[rtparty]

Red Sea blue bucket might be okay for AWC. I wouldn’t use it personally. It’s dirty and I don’t support Red Sea in any way.

If going with AWC, I would look at TM Pro Reef, NYOS, HW Reefer, ESV, or even basic Instant Ocean purple. It will store fine but likely have to clean your bin more often.

 

[mpatterson42]

BRS did a video on saltwater storage.

The blue bucket had pretty much no calcium loss (in fact it was up after 3 weeks but there's always a margin of error with home test kits) and alkalinity had a pretty small drop after 3 weeks. I think you'll be fine.

 

[Notsolostfish]

BRS did a video on saltwater storage.

The blue bucket had pretty much no calcium loss (in fact it was up after 3 weeks but there's always a margin of error with home test kits) and alkalinity had a pretty small drop after 3 weeks. I think you'll be fine.

Than what’s that about redsea saying dont leave that salt more than 24 hours

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

redsea says the salt should sit after.its mix and dump

I’m aware. You need not follow their directions, but that is what I meant by a high alk mix may lose alk over time.

 

[djkms]

I use Red Sea blue for my awc. I mix up 160 gallons that changes over 2 months at a time. No issues.

 

[Notsolostfish]

I’m aware. You need not follow their directions, but that is what I meant by a high alk mix may lose alk over time.

If i switch to tropic marin all for reef it has a 7dkh. And my tank is 8-8.5 dkh. How would that affect me in awc? Can i add alk to the mix

 

[BryanM]

redsea says the salt should sit after.its mix and dump

I know that is true for their coral pro salt, I was unaware it was the same for the blue bucket.

In any case tons of members premix and hold salt for weeks or more. You could simply switch salt brands.

 

[Notsolostfish]

I know that is true for their coral pro salt, I was unaware it was the same for the blue bucket.

In any case tons of members premix and hold salt for weeks or more. You could simply switch salt brands.

I ordered the tropic marin pro salt. The only thing is its at 7dkh. My tank sits at 8.2 dkh. But i was wondering if i can add some redsea alk to it? Ik the alk gonna drop regardless. But at least wont drop below 6 for tropic marin

 

[Notsolostfish]

No salt has a problem sitting unheated and unstirred except those with added organics.

Whats added organics?