how to change water with out getting salinity?

[IowaBoy]

this always happens to me...I change 5 gallons out of 20 gallons about every month, and well every time the salinity goes sky high.

i do not use a power head in the premix bucket so some salt may be getting mixed once it runs through the skimmer. i do stir it though.

[tnwillia]

I'm guessing a couple of possible fixes, get a pump to mix with, the salt has to disolve, I run mine 24 hrs. Even a cheap Maxi-jet 1200 is better than nothing and get a cheap 100w stealth heater. Salinity changes with temp. You need to test both temp and salinity before doing the water change, It should match your tank water. Others will jump in here to help. Good Luck!

[IowaBoy]

would something like this work?

Walmart.com: Regent: Power Head Submersible Pump Aqua-Tech, 1 ct: Fish

foster and smith raised price for cheapo power heads.

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Originally Posted by tnwillia

Salinity changes with temp.

Actually, not entirely true. If you take a cup of water out of your tank and put it in your fridge and it gets to 39* F, it will still contain the same amount of salt. The temperature has no effect on how much salt is actually in the water, however, depending on the quality of your measurement apparatus, the reading may vary with temperature. To the best of my knowledge, most refractometers compensate for temperature if you allow the sample to adjust to the lens temperature.

Regardless, you must mix your saltwater thoroughly. My salt mixer was a cheap submersible sponge filter from Walmart with the filter media removed... cost $5 at the time.

[IowaBoy]

problem with the walmart one is that i dont know if ill need the underground filter piece to run it. i am wanting to keep the bucket covered up as much as i can.

[tnwillia]

Chipmunkofdoom2... Thanks, I said it wrong!

IowaBoy.... all you need is the pump, drop it in the bucket, plug it in and let it run.

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Originally Posted by tnwillia

Chipmunkofdoom2... Thanks, I said it wrong!

Haha, you were like 98% right. The water needs to be the same temp so it will match your DT anyway... pouring that 39 degree water into your tank won't change the salinity, but it might mess a few things up

Yes, any pump will do so long as it can be submerged and your mixing container will allow it to be submerged. My old mixer (also from Walmart) was disassembled for easy cleaning... it was pretty much a revolving impeller with a little tab over it to regulate flow. Anything will work so long as it's rated for saltwater use and it moves water.

[IowaBoy]

did it contain any brass parts?

[nightfire76]

yup i use that cheapo pump my self,no need to spend lots of money on that.....i use that walmart pump,walmart temometer and a walmart trash can will end up buying a good pump to leave it in the trash can and run tubing from it up into my aquarium so i dont have to even lift it up to it anymore

[BLAKEJOHN]

I would say one of three things or a combination of,....Salt not mixed completley, Daily top offs not being done or inaccurate measuring tools (hydrometer or dirty hydrometer)

[IowaBoy]

well, i have a little idea. I have a kitty litter pale that was being used to hold the spare saltwater, because it has straight edges i can put hang on filter on the side to mix the salt. the problem is that the top is heavy duty so i will have to bring out one of my old heavy duty pocket knives just to cut the hole.

another problem...when i cleaned my hood the other night my hydrometer went missing (hangs on the outside of the tank)

[StevieT]

Dude. Do this right.

Clean food grade new bucket
pump on the bottom of the bucket
heater
RO/DI water
Good salt
Refractometer
mix water one day ahead of time
Match Salinity and temperature to your tank

done have beer

[reefer4200]

Originally Posted by chipmunkofdoom2

Actually, not entirely true. If you take a cup of water out of your tank and put it in your fridge and it gets to 39* F, it will still contain the same amount of salt. The temperature has no effect on how much salt is actually in the water, however, depending on the quality of your measurement apparatus, the reading may vary with temperature. To the best of my knowledge, most refractometers compensate for temperature if you allow the sample to adjust to the lens temperature.

Regardless, you must mix your saltwater thoroughly. My salt mixer was a cheap submersible sponge filter from Walmart with the filter media removed... cost $5 at the time.

Unfortunately this is not an accurate statement, you are measure such a small amount of water that the salt actually in the water is minor amount so you won't necessarily see the change. However, if you were to mix 20g and change the temp, yes you would see a salinity change. This can and does occur. You should always mix your salt for 24hr before using.

For example, take a 5 gallon bucket and dump a few pounds of salt in...then stick your hand in the salt at the bottom and stir...you will notice an intense temperature increase (almost feels burning you) this is the chemical reaction phase that occurs during the mix. If using the mixed water immediately after making it this can cause burns on corals and negative affects. Always wait atleast 18 hours to get a thorough honest mix.

This was a very slightly detailed explanation as there are many more parts to the chemistry behind the mixing of salt.

[Boomer]

Some clarifications here. Unfortunately there are few inaccurate statements

An all take note he is using a hydrometer !!

Actually, not entirely true. If you take a cup of water out of your tank and put it in your fridge and it gets to 39* F, it will still contain the same amount of salt.

True but if one is using a non- ATC refract and or a floating hydrometer or any hydrometer and mixed up a batch at 60 F and then the next day use it when it is 77 F there will be a decrease in salinity as you failed during the mixing to compensate for temp. That is why there are temp compensation charts and why refracts or even conductibility meters can be off they have a limit on temp even if ATC. ATC refracts do not adjust down to 39 F, they will be off. None of these units are measuring salinity at all, which can only be done with a salinity test kit. When ever you use a salt mix, I do not care how you are measuring the salinity, check it before you use it ......period. This is why many have so many problems with this question asked.


You should always mix your salt for 24hr before using.

For example, take a 5 gallon bucket and dump a few pounds of salt in...then stick your hand in the salt at the bottom and stir...you will notice an intense temperature increase (almost feels burning you) this is the chemical reaction phase that occurs during the mix.


That is not why we wait 24 hrs, it is to equilibrate the water to atm CO2. Many salt mixes have a high initial pH at times in the 9's and we need to drive in some CO2 to get that pH ~ 8's. The other reason for most is to be sure it is well mixed. If one is using a good powerhead or pump or under heavy aeration it can be used in a few hrs. or less. You can mix up and use a salt mix in 5 min if it is mixed with a long paint stirred bit on a drill. We have been this for decades

That 'heat" is called an exothermic reaction and has little bearing on anything.

[IowaBoy]

I found an small fountain pump and hooked it up...