Mixing Salt

[MadReefer]

It seems that mixing salt in the tank is taking longer than I expected. Never had this issue before but now I do. The temp is about 78 and I have 4 pumps in the tank to mix the salt. The SG is about 1.017 and my current tank is at 1.020. Is there anything I can do to get the salt to mix faster?

Thanks
Mark

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

I take it the tank is currently empty?

I would use buckets. I mix all my water in 5gal buckets. I have a maxjet circulation pump in there. I mix the water and heat it for 1 hour and its ready to put into the tank.

 

[MadReefer]

Just to clarify. I put water in the tank first and then added salt the tank and water.

 

[Trio91]

Not sure what brand you use but instant ocean is usually 1x 1/2 cup per gallon of water.

 

[MadReefer]

It's Coralife. Been sitting for about 4 years. I did use it on the 46g bow with no issues, same method.

 

[Trio91]

Hhhmmm not sure really, never kept salt that long

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

Just to clarify. I put water in the tank first and then added salt the tank and water.

Sorry by empty I meant no live stock in it just water.

Again I would try like a 5gal bucket, mix the bucket up and see want level you get there. You then can add that bucket to your tank and see if it raiser you level at all.

 

[redfishbluefish]

A couple points:

Temperature of water: It sounds counter intuitive, but you're better off mixing the salt without putting any heat into it. First mix the salt, and once mixed, raise the temperature to match DT temperature.

Water Volume: Have ALL your water in the mixing container before adding salt....in this case, the DT. If you don't have the full volume of water, the concentrated salt could cause for carbonate precipitation. Once that happens, your out of luck.

Old Salt: If the salt has crusted up, or totally turned into a brick, it's no good. Moisture has entered the bucket/bag and caused the salt to turn into a solidified brick from carbonate precipitating out.

 

[MadReefer]

Thanks Paul. Some of the salt was solid and some crytalized.

The plan was to use half new salt and half from current tank.

 

[MadReefer]

Here is a pic of the tank.

 

[MadReefer]

I trashed the old salt and opened anew bag. Will see how this works.