water change question ?

[Ginzo]

I'm getting ready to do my first water change on my new tank and had a couple of questions:

1) If a do a 10% water change, how should I measure the salt I add to the new water ?

My tank is a 120g, so I'll do a 12-15g water change. Just wondering how much salt I should add to the new 12-15g water that will replace it ?

The salinity of my tank is currently at 1.026.

[JetCat USA]

mix the make up water to the same salinity (or as you quoted SG), test it with a refract/swing arm/hydro/etc.... prior to doing the water change.

[michaeljames]

you really shoud mix up your make up water a day or so beforehand, give it time to let the salt dissolve completly, then when you do your water change sihpon tank into five gallon buckets, then just add the same amount of buckets of new water back to the tank, most salt mixes require approx 2cups per gallon

[Ginzo]

So if I replace 15g of water, I should mix 15g of RO/DI in a bucket..and bring that 15g of water to 1.026 of salinity and add that to my tank ?

Originally posted by JetCat USA
mix the make up water to the same salinity (or as you quoted SG), test it with a refract/swing arm/hydro/etc.... prior to doing the water change.

[Mavrk]

Definately mix the saltwater prior to adding it to your tank. For me that means a little less than 1/2 cup per gallon (I actually think it is about 3.5 cups for 8 gallons wich is 10% of my water with displacement). This gets me to 35 PPT ( I think that is the equivalent of 1.026 SG at 68 degrees F). But that can vary brand to brand.

Remember to try to get the new water to the same temperature as well. I have a vat of saltwater waiting with a small powerhead to mix it and a heater inside (well not a vat, actually it is a Brute trashcan). I then transfer this to 5 gallon buckets as needed (4 gallons at a time).

I personally find it faster to mix in fresh water to dilute the mixture than to add extra salt. Again this is all done before adding it to the tank.

[JetCat USA]

Originally posted by Ginzo
So if I replace 15g of water, I should mix 15g of RO/DI in a bucket..and bring that 15g of water to 1.026 of salinity and add that to my tank ?

that is correct, you should also let it mix for long enough to bring the pH up, 24hrs is not required but several hours with good surface agitation/air exchange are recommended, the longer the better but not a necessity

[slapshot16]

I use a 44 gallon trash can to mix my salt. I add about 30 or so gallons of RO, add the salt, mix with powerhead at least overnight, I use a heater as well.

When you are ready for the water change, double check the salinity and change away. I change 10 gallons at a time approxiamtely once a week. I find that evaporation in the trash can makes the salinity go up so I just add some more ro to get it to the right level.

I mix 30 gallons every 3 to 4 weeks.

You want the salinity in the tank to match the salinity in the new water (along with PH and temp.)