Tricks to minimize salt mixing time

[Miami Reef]

This is a fun brainstorming exercise for me. I enjoy thinking about scenarios like this:

I’ve been thinking about ways we can speed up the time it takes for the salt to become completely dissolved in a mixing bucket.

1) Very high flow

2) Cold temps = better (calcium carbonate will precipitate more as temperature increases)

3) Lower pH. Imagine lowering the alkalinity with sodium bisulfate/muriatic acid (which lowers the pH), and then adding sodium bicarbonate (which adds back the alkalinity, and has a slight pH lowering effect too).


Any other ideas for this thought experiment?


Raising the water flow is kind of a double-edged sword because more pumps will add more heat. I have a very strong pump, but it raises the temperature of the bucket to 86F.

 

[Propane]

Watching.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

This may be helpful:

How to Mix a Batch of Synthetic Seawater in Under Five Minutes
http://web.archive.org/web/20011217234403/www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/sep/bio/default.asp

 

[DanyL]

I usually use diluted sea water for WC, but occasionally when I can’t get sea water I make my own in 10 liter batches, I just mix it manually for 1 to 2 minutes with a large wooden spoon, let it settle and than mix once more before using it.

The whole thing takes about 5-7 minutes.

Honestly, unless we’re talking about a 30% WC - you can also just pour RODI water and salt right into a high-flow area in the sump and it’ll be just fine.

Same is true about ALK/PH/Temp differences - a regular weekly 10%-15% WC wouldn’t budge a thing to a well established system.

 

[Miami Reef]

This may be helpful:

How to Mix a Batch of Synthetic Seawater in Under Five Minutes
http://web.archive.org/web/20011217234403/www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/sep/bio/default.asp

Thanks.

According to this BRS video, it apparently needs about 24 hours or more to “fully” clear (depending on brand).

My salt dissolves well, but the water doesn’t turn crystal clear. It looks kind of cloudy.

I know it’s fine to use even when cloudy, but I was wondering why it didn’t clear up until after adding it to the tank and waiting?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks.

According to this BRS video, it apparently needs about 24 hours or more to “fully” clear (depending on brand).

My salt dissolves well, but the water doesn’t turn crystal clear. It looks kind of cloudy.

I know it’s fine to use even when cloudy, but I was wondering why it didn’t clear up until after adding it to the tank and waiting?

As Craig noted, more powerful stirring will dissolve it faster.

 

[Dburr1014]

This is a fun brainstorming exercise for me. I enjoy thinking about scenarios like this:

I’ve been thinking about ways we can speed up the time it takes for the salt to become completely dissolved in a mixing bucket.

1) Very high flow

2) Cold temps = better (calcium carbonate will precipitate more as temperature increases)

3) Lower pH. Imagine lowering the alkalinity with sodium bisulfate/muriatic acid (which lowers the pH), and then adding sodium bicarbonate (which adds back the alkalinity, and has a slight pH lowering effect too).


Any other ideas for this thought experiment?


Raising the water flow is kind of a double-edged sword because more pumps will add more heat. I have a very strong pump, but it raises the temperature of the bucket to 86F.

Do it right before bed and sleep on it. ;)
This is what I do and then check it in the morning. May have to tweak it then.

 

[KrisReef]

Watching.

WATCHED SALT NEVER DISSOLVES? :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:


When I used to be in a hurry ( I was young with lots to do) I would fill the bucket or barrel with water and then suspend a fine mesh net at the water surface and pour the salt into the net. Then I would "swim" the net to force water into the dissolving salt and the barrel or bucket would be dissolved and ready to do a water change, I think this all took less than a minute to dissolve the salt.