mixing salt questions

[nickman94]

when you mix salt for a water change do you just add salt mix to fresh water in a bucket and then set up a powerhead and air pump in the bucket for 24 hours , test it and then add the water to the tank?
also what brand of salt mix and brand of test kit do you recomend?

[paulg]

Are you using RO/DI? I don't use an air pump until about 20 minutes before I add the water to the display tank. Oh and yes the powerhead is always on. I also add a heater.

[Fly Guy]

more or less........

make sure you dont add the salt too quickly. What I like to do is either gett he water spinning hard with my hand if using a 5 gallon bucket or with a pump in a larger container before pouring it in slowly. this ensures you will get no precipitation. If you fail at this, you will know it by a hard white coating on your mixing container

[Hop]

When I had a FOWLR system I did it that way minus the airpump. Now I mix up about 40 gallons, bring up to 1.028 (due to making up for tank water dropping to 1.024 over the month) w/ a powerhead and a heater. Then test and bump alk, Ca and mag accordingly. It sits for between 10 and 48 hours before changing.

[Fly Guy]

I agree the air pump isnt necessary if you let it mix for a decent amount of time. I DO use a massive venuri and pump to mix mine, but I usually use it within 2-3 hours of making it and the massive aeration helps it be truly ready quicker.........or so I think

[DarthOcellaris]

Originally Posted by Hop

When I had a FOWLR system I did it that way minus the airpump. Now I mix up about 40 gallons, bring up to 1.028 (due to making up for tank water dropping to 1.024 over the month) w/ a powerhead and a heater. Then test and bump alk, Ca and mag accordingly. It sits for between 10 and 48 hours before changing.

this is exactly how I do mine...except mine sits for a month until all used up. ( of course the water is being stirred constantly with the pump )

[nickman94]

what does FOWLER stand for?

[DarthOcellaris]

fowlr = fish only with live rock