[Lightsluvr]

Ok, here's a rookie question. After I mix the saltwater (ie., Instant Ocean) with RO/DI, is there a rest period or waiting stage that I should observe before adding the mixture to my tank? I think I read somewhere that adding freshly mixed saltwater to a tank could stress your livestock.

Thanks for answers.

LL

[glampka]

Once mixed you should wait a minimum of 24 hours to be sure it is fully mixed, the right salinity & at the right temperature.

[Tonz of fun]

I mix my water with a powerhead for 2 days before i add it to the tank. once mixed I just add it. Glampka is this the wrong way?

[120gallons]

I'd wait at least 24hrs but have put it in after an hour or two in an emergency.

[dfurbee]

Also, don't forget to check the pH

[Tonz of fun]

So after mixing for 2 days you guys are saying I should wait another 24 hours till i add it? Can you explain why?

[alwmalon4]

I would wait at least 24 hours to let things dissolve and stabilize. Your water chemistry is a very volatile thing and you want to do everything in your power to not throw that balance off.

[Tonz of fun]

So the salt isnt dissolved after having a 450gph powerhead blowing on it for 2 days?

[RyanG]

Here is what I do:

I mix my water for 24 hours after adding salt to my mixing container. I then check PH, salinity levels then do the water change.

[Tonz of fun]

So you dont wait an additional 24 hours letting the water "sit" before you do the water change?

[glampka]

Start the clock from the time you add the salt to the water.

[rlcline76]

Tonz, 24 hours minimum. As long as the water is completely mixed and has done it's time and everything is on the up and up, you are good to go.

[Tonz of fun]

Originally Posted by rlcline76

Tonz, 24 hours minimum. As long as the water is completely mixed and has done it's time and everything is on the up and up, you are good to go.

I mix my water for 48 hours then do the water change. Glampka was saying I should wait 24 additional hours after doing the water change...

[Dustin1300]

I think Glampka was just saying make sure you have the salt in for 24 hours at least so all is dissolved in the water...

[glampka]

You got it Dustin!

[stephaniesquires]

Thanks for letting me butt in here - Question on this general topic - I have a reserve "tank" its a large ice chest that refills the tank - should I refill the reserve a few gallons at a time - or in a large batch - I will mix in a large rubbermaid trash can if its a big batch or in gallon containers if small batches???

[Fishhead Junkie]

man, listening to you guys...makes me happy my tank is only 29gallons. i just go to the LFS, have him refill both my 2.2 gallon jugs with pre-mixed saltwater for a couple bucks and do my water change in 5 mins.

steve

[glampka]

And you don't know what you're getting!

[rlcline76]

I would put that much trust in getting water from the LFS. I've read of too many problem when it comes to that.

[jvharding]

Originally Posted by stephaniesquires

Thanks for letting me butt in here - Question on this general topic - I have a reserve "tank" its a large ice chest that refills the tank - should I refill the reserve a few gallons at a time - or in a large batch - I will mix in a large rubbermaid trash can if its a big batch or in gallon containers if small batches???

If you are using your reserve to fill for evaporation you are increasing your salinity. This is not standard practice unless you intend to adjust your salinity.


With in 24 hours all chemicals in the salt mix that are going to dissolve will have. Any left over crystals are calcium that will never dissolve due to the mix and water properties at the time of mixing. This is normal and to be expected!

Use of powerhead or aeration is good practice

I use a 55G Rubbermaid trash can for my water changes 1/3 of my tank once a month

[stephaniesquires]

Oh Duh!! That makes sense - good thing I dont even have water in the tank yet!!! The reserve I can use just plain RO water and the salt water is for water changes - do I have it right??
Next question - and I know I've seen the answer here - but how much water should I be changing out?? (220 gallon tank) and how often??

[swinginbeef]

I like 10% once a week, but many others prefer larger waterchanges on longer intervals.

[jvharding]

Originally Posted by stephaniesquires

Oh Duh!! That makes sense - good thing I dont even have water in the tank yet!!! The reserve I can use just plain RO water and the salt water is for water changes - do I have it right??
Next question - and I know I've seen the answer here - but how much water should I be changing out?? (220 gallon tank) and how often??

That is a question that will change over time I would recomend 1/4 of the tank once a month depending on your space available to set up Reserve area I have a 55G Trash can that I pump up to my tank from the basement.

Your BIO Load and Filtration will dictate how much and how often. What are your equipment specs?

[stephaniesquires]

Equipment specs??? Hmmm - since I inherited the tank with the house I didn't buy any of it so I'm going to be guessing about names of stuff... - I have 2 1100gph pumps, 4 directional outgoing valves(? they pump water back into the tank and i can change their direction), and a protein skimmer - the fish store people upgraded some of the plumbing and installed the pumps so I'm guessing the skimmer is adequate or they would have talked me into a new one... I have a 3 section sump (?) underneath the tank in a cabinet. Back when the fish store people actually showed up to service the tank she had a bag of charcoal (i think) and there are a bunch of 1 1/2" balls sitting under the tank - I have no idea what they are for, I will have to figure all of this out soon. My scratch remover kit arrived and I expect the RO kit in a few days so I'm going to be ready to fill it by this weekend.
When I turned the pump off I didn't move anything around so I should be able to just hit the power button and have it start.
How does that sound??

[jvharding]

Originally Posted by stephaniesquires

Equipment specs??? Hmmm - since I inherited the tank with the house I didn't buy any of it so I'm going to be guessing about names of stuff... - I have 2 1100gph pumps, 4 directional outgoing valves(? they pump water back into the tank and i can change their direction), and a protein skimmer - the fish store people upgraded some of the plumbing and installed the pumps so I'm guessing the skimmer is adequate or they would have talked me into a new one... I have a 3 section sump (?) underneath the tank in a cabinet. Back when the fish store people actually showed up to service the tank she had a bag of charcoal (i think) and there are a bunch of 1 1/2" balls sitting under the tank - I have no idea what they are for, I will have to figure all of this out soon. My scratch remover kit arrived and I expect the RO kit in a few days so I'm going to be ready to fill it by this weekend.
When I turned the pump off I didn't move anything around so I should be able to just hit the power button and have it start.
How does that sound??

Ok it sounds like you are moving in the right direction if you are planning a reef tank 1.5 inch BIO Balls should be removed from the Sump. Live Rock Rubble should be added. if you are going to do a fish only system the sump can be left as it is. is the system currently filled with water? If so what are your plans? Also this is off the subject of this thread so I would start a new thread so everyone can help you in your new beginning! Feel free to PM me your Questions if you like.