How much salt per gallon of water?

[SeanT]

Now that I have just received my RODI unit and as a vague starting point for me, how much salt per gallon of water to reach an approx. specific gravity of 1.025?

And what is best way to mix it?

I have 5 gallon plastic gas cans. Should I just put the salt in there first, fill half up with water, shake well, add rest of water and shake again?

Thank you.

[SeanT]

Btw...YAY www.aquaticreefsystems.com The unit shore is purty.

:bum: <--ARS pimp.

[Nagel]

Typically, most salt mixes work at 1 cup to 2 gallons of water. I mix up 4 gallons of water to 2 cups of either Kent or IO salt mix (I use IO, kent was bought one time in a pinch).

As for the best way to mix, you'll want to mix it overnight. Don't mix it and use it right away unless it is an EMERGENCY. Most people will put a powerhead, a heater and the salt and water in a 5 gallon bucket (or a larger tank / trough if you need more) and let it mix overnight.

[SeanT]

Would it be ok to buy a 30-50 gallon plastic trash can and put the ater into that? And leave it on the back porch with the lid on and a power head in it?

[rlp]

I mix my water in a 30 gallon trash can sitting out on the deck. I use a powerhead (or sometimes an airstone) to mix it. During the winter I mix it in the house & add a submersible heater.

[epon]

I mix mine 15 g at a time ..... the 1/2 cup per gallon on the IO bucket hasn't seemed accurate .... I always need to add atleast a 1/2 to 1 cup extra per 15 g of water mixed to achieve 1.025. I just bought the plastic 25g plastic bin at walmart for around $5. I use a MJ1200 to mix the salt, and leave it running during sw storage to keep the water from going stale. I also use this same PH with a length of clear hose to do water changes also .... just pinch the end of the hose when I am finished filling the tank up from a WC. As for mixing the salt in the bin. I add a cup at a time right over the area of the water that is most agitated by the ph.

As for storage in the gas cans ..... are they food safe?..... and the porch... does it get hot?.... can someone easily access it ..? etc... too many variables.... if you are pressed for space you could IMO use a smaller footprint type trash can in a closet ... I wouldnt want my water to get hot and cook in a gas can ... I'd rather is sit climate controlled safe and away from prying (* kids *) fingers.

I also have another 15g or RO made that I use during the week for topoff. I did have a small ph in here too .. but it died so I'm using a airstone - hope this helps :D

[SeanT]

My porch is fenced in and screened in. Noone can get in there. Not worried about that. I do live in North Carolina so it does get warm.
But I only plan on preparing my water a day or so ahead of time. And then having 30 gallons in the plastic (new) gas cans and keep them in the wash room.

Check this out. Just finished my first 5 gallons of RODI water from my new unit. My TDS meter reads it at 2.
I still have 5 gallons of my LFS water, that I pay $0.99 a gallon for, and IT READS AT 127!!!

I freaking HATE that store.

[minfinger]

I was going to put a 35 gallon Blue Sanitary Round Sealed Container on the back deck. But I might not now. My brother has access to these kinds of things for nothing. :D But now that you guys say it might be bad to leave it outside and that the water has to stay moving all the time. I don't know. What's the consensus?

[tyoberg]

Instant Ocean takes a smidge over 1/2 cup per gallon.

Ty

[DgenR8]

I always have to tweak my new salt water. I start with a 1/3 cup per gallon and add a little more after mixing to get my S.G. to about 1.025.
I have never had to add more water to lower S.G. from a starting point of 1/2 cup per gal.

[Nagel]

Sometimes I need to tweak it up, sometimes it's just right, but I also never need to add more freshwater.

I think 2 cups is an estimate. 2 cups loosley packed and flat on top vs. 2 cups densely packed and with a little crown to the top might be the difference, I dunno. Sometimes "my" 2 cups cut it just right, and I usually mix 20-24 gallons at a clip.

And I would rather have to add a little salt to tweak it up then more water.

[piercho]

Sean, I use ~3' tall 15G poly bottles purchased used from a local hardware for US $8 each. They labels they had on them said that they formerly held food-grade acetic acid (vinegar). They have a 3/4" and a 2" opening at the top that will take NPT fittings. A little heavy to hurk about or lift, but I recently purchased a small doly that makes moving them a breeze. IMO, the best thing going to mix and store SW in. The only down-side is that a PH won't fit through the 2" opening so you will need to find another means to agitate the water. 9 level cups IO salt yields SW at close to 1.026 at 80F.

[SeanT]

Thanks for all the advice. After a little tweaking I managed to figure out how many cups I need per 5 gallons to get a sg of 1.025.

Man I am really getting into this hobby now. Looks like I will never be getting married again...can't afford a wife AND this hoppy. :)

[DgenR8]

LOL Sean,
I think you've come a long way in a short time here!
Time to start looking for a CHEAP wife! Have you tried Mail Order???

[drscheck]

If my wife ever read any of this stuff, HOLY CRAP, I think I would need to put a cot in the garage

[SeanT]

Thanks DegenR8...I HAVE learned alot here.
But I learned it for all of you and the articles you all have posted ito read.
I am alson on IRC quite a bit.

It is amazing to me just how much more fun and satisfying this hobby is when you get some solid information.

And the greatest part is that there are differing opinions here. But if you looke closely they don't differ very much. And what is most important to me is that people explain WHY they do something a certain way, and admit failure as easily as showing the signs of their success.

Thanks all of you.

SOON you will ENVY the might of my hermit crab army MOOOWAAAhahahahahahahaha! :)

[minfinger]

I'm getting married in a year. My Finacee tells me to buy all this stuff now, so we can save money when we get married. LOL Which I want to do, she's a Cosmotologist and it won't be until after we're married that she moves to another Job, better pay.

The Good news is, I only want one more tank, a Rounded Front 120 Gallon :-) LMAO Won't that be fun.


Well Last night I got all my timers and my pumps and wires and lights set in place. Without water in the tank, it already looks cool. I'm super nervous about getting the Salinaty correct.

Shouldn't I mix my water before it goes into the tank for the first time?

[SeanT]

HI Minfinger,

Yes you should use RODI water to begin with. Put the amount of water in a large container...I just bought 2, 50 gallon containers at Home Depot yesterday for $11 a pop.
Add your salt mix...and if you have a spare powerhead around las it in the bottom to mix your water well. Stir it up to make sure no little piles of salt are on the bottom.

If you are using tap water, and you shouldn't as it is dirty and leads to diatom blooms...be sure to use a dechlorinator or to DEFINITELY let it sit for 24 hours and the chlorine will remove itself from the water.

Some suggest let it sit for 24 hours and that seems to be ok...however last night I checked the specific gravity every 15 minutes on mine and found that it leveled off after 3 hours. This morning I checked it again and it was the same reading after 3 hours.

Then get a bucket and pour it into your aquarium.
I also founf that if you hold a plate or a bowl upside doen and pur the water on to that you won't get any clouding or distrurbed sand.

Hope this helps,
Sean

[Dov]

I mix up 15G a week in a 20G trashcan with airstone & powerhead (good spot for the rio). 1/2 cup IO per gallon, usually needs some tweaking up as I tend to be overcautious with my measurements - hey you can always add more, but it's a real bear trying to get salt out of the water ;)