mixing salt thread

[Ronny#66]

Would apreciate answers to this salt amount needed seems like a lot said 2 cups for 5 gal

[fancyfish]

1/2 cup per 2 gallons as a general rule. may need to give or take depeding on what salinity you are trying to achieve

[Ronny#66]

It took 3 cups for 5 gal for 1.024-1.025

[Henry Bowman]

2cups per 5 gal sounds close .... but you need to use some type of instrument to make sure you are replacing water in your tank with water that is of the same salinity. For reefkeeping alot of the hobbyists here use a refractometer (optical instrument) to measure salinity accurately. There are also swing arm hygrometers and ones that look like a thermometer that you float in your tank... The swing arms are the most prone to error (in my opinion).

I've droned on and probably given you information that you probably already know.... Post again here if you want more info.

There was a thread that I searched for and couldnt find answering your exact question..... So much for search. It'll only give you exactly what you ask for or 10,000 results...;-)

[fancyfish]

what kind of salt and how long are you letting mix. the salinity will stablize. you need to let the salt sit atleast 12 hours if not longer.

[Henry Bowman]

Just went and looked at the "cup" I use to mix. I use instant ocean and it takes about 2 3/4 or so in my "bucket" which is 5 gl full to the top. I'm making about 4 or so gallons at a time...

[TomRep]

I use Reef Crystals and I would say it's close to 2-2 1/2c. for 5 gallons. I mix my water in a 36 gallon trashcan. I don't measure anything exact when I'm doing it. Just a very slightly heaping measuring cup and a 5 gallon bucket filled about 1-1 1/2" from the top of RODI.
tom

[Ronny#66]

I had power head in bucket for about 6 hours and yes cheap plastic with plastic pointer going to get refractometer thought the plastic was ok but why spend hundreds on tank and chance error in a cheap instrament.

[Ronny#66]

coral life salt old bucket never opened just like new

[Ronny#66]

the new meter is a must thanks for all the posts

[Henry Bowman]

Look at www.marinedepot.com They have a decent refractometer (the one without the light) that isnt too expensive. Mine works fine, have had it for at least 2 years if not longer If I recall ...

[fancyfish]

are you using a refractometer? if not you need

[Reeses]

Hey Ronnie, I think I have a specific answer to your question. Reef Crystals instructions are for 1/2 per gallon, just like IO. Your 1/2 cup measurement is made to make a specific gravity lower than what you are seeking. Therefore, you would need more salt to achieve the values that you are after.

As far as actual cup for cup measurements, I personally have not done it that way since about a month into my first tank. I tend to generally be geeky about things, and I measure my salt with a kitchen scale. I find that it takes (roughly) 1lb 12oz of salt to mix a 5 gal bucket to get a salinity of 1.026 (35 ppt). According to my directions on my IO bucket, 1lb 8oz of mix will give me a specific gravity of 1.022. I won't assume that a 1/2 cup measurement per gallon will give you exactly the same results, but I am guessing that it's between 1.020 and 1.022.

[Ronny#66]

Thanks for all the posts I'm ok but going to get the refracto.