Salt mixture only 1.020

L

lemsreef

Member
So im getting my 36g up n running. I have added 34g of water n 19x.5cups of salt. Using Reef Crystals. Ive mixed it up n got powerhead on it, its in my tank circulating. Ive been checking regularly n its at 1.020 im trying to get atleast 1.023, so my question is how much salt is too much salt? Should I wait til morning to check again and see salinity level.

Thanks

Le.

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
 
I always end up using more salt than what the box states. Also, I hope you are using a properly calibrated refractometer and have the fresh saltwater warmed to match tank temp.
 
ColaAddict said:
I always end up using more salt than what the box states. Also, I hope you are using a properly calibrated refractometer and have the fresh saltwater warmed to match tank temp.
Click to expand...

Invest in a good refractometer and calibration fluid to go with it. I have had to calibrate as often as twice a week with mine, so it pays to be sure your readings are accurate. Is your tank empty or does it have sand/rock in it. If it is empty just put some more salt in the tank and let it mix, however if it has sand/rock I would just mix up some very high salinity water and top off the tank with it until the salinity gets to where you want it (1.025 or 1.026 for a reef tank).
 
my trick is i weight the salt, once i find the target weight for my mixing bucket (currently 1lb 6 oz of red sea for a 5 gal bucket) I never have to use a refractometer again, it always mixes up the same salinity
 
Well I added more salt this morning to my water and it has come up to where I want it. Thx guys I was just getting a little worried.

So its 26x.5cups of Reef Crystals. 1.025

Tonight when I come home from work I'll add the Sand and Live Rocks.

Thanks Guys.
 
I keep mine at 1.026 and the boxes recomended amount is always low but temp does play a role definitly let it mix at least a hour or more . Most say gotta let age a day. Im not saying there wrong i just dont listen i dont heat my water either and use the same plastic float hydrometer for the last ten years lol.
 
yeah 2 tips for mixing, mix at a lower temp, i mix mine up at 74 degrees, keeps precipitation down, and dont overmix, if you let it age at temp overnight you are going to get calcium carb precipitation, most salt mixes will be fully dissolved within an hour or so. once all the stuff is off the bottom of the bucket its good, if you mix it longer the cal/alk will drop due to it precipitation out.
 
madjoe said:
I keep mine at 1.026 and the boxes recomended amount is always low but temp does play a role definitly let it mix at least a hour or more . Most say gotta let age a day. Im not saying there wrong i just dont listen i dont heat my water either and use the same plastic float hydrometer for the last ten years lol.
Click to expand...

I used that same Float Hydrometer and it has always worked for me....I got it now where I want it and I added the sand this morning because I had time to kill before going to work because I was running late, BECAUSE I want to stare at the tank with nothing in it....LOL

I also turned on the filter so it can start settling things out.

Thanks again for all the help. Soon I will be posting pics of my setup I'm taking pictures daily with all the progress and process...
 
fwadiver said:
yeah 2 tips for mixing, mix at a lower temp, i mix mine up at 74 degrees, keeps precipitation down, and dont overmix, if you let it age at temp overnight you are going to get calcium carb precipitation, most salt mixes will be fully dissolved within an hour or so. once all the stuff is off the bottom of the bucket its good, if you mix it longer the cal/alk will drop due to it precipitation out.
Click to expand...

Yea at first I was mixing with no heater and water was a tad bit cold, so then after about 45min I put in the heater after I had already mixed it up.

Thanks again for all the help. Soon I will be posting pics of my setup I'm taking pictures daily with all the progress and process...
 
madjoe said:
I keep mine at 1.026 and the boxes recomended amount is always low but temp does play a role definitly let it mix at least a hour or more . Most say gotta let age a day. Im not saying there wrong i just dont listen i dont heat my water either and use the same plastic float hydrometer for the last ten years lol.
Click to expand...

Youre a rebel :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top