Brute mixing station

[fishtank]

2 quick questions guys and girls,

Once you have mixed your saltwater how long do you typically keep it for? If it is for a few weeks do you keep the water moving the whole time?

Also how do you guys get a heater to stick to the surface of a brute trash can?

 

[tony_caliente]

Here's what I do; it doesn't mean that I am right. I have a 32 gallon Brute:

- Fill Brute with 32 gallons of RODI water.
- Once the water in the Brute is about 9 inches high, I immerse a submersible power head in it
- As the volume of water continues to grow, I add my salt mix.
- I periodically check the SG with a refractometer
- I submerse my heater, which hangs from wire shelving above the Brute
- I let it circulate and heat at least a full day to ensure the desired SG and temp has stabilized.

I have left seawater circulating for up to two weeks before using it. I always leave the Brute lid on until it's time to withdrawn the water. I also make sure that my heater has been unplugged for at least an hour before withdrawing the water to make a change.

As I said, I am not sure if what I am doing is correct. Many ARC members are much more successful than me. You may want to wait for others to reply.

I hope this helps or at least doesn't hurt .

Best,

Tony

 

[camellia]

I mix my water fresh for each water change and its heated by the mag 7 I use to mix. I use Salinity Salt so I mix it for 2 or 3 days to eliminate clouding.
It shouldn't hurt to mix it and store it but keep it sealed from dust and debris getting into the water.
Your heater isn't going to stick as is but you could try and zip tie a large magnet to suction holder and outer side of can or just let it float.

 

[acroholic]

I think it is a waste of electricity to continuously circulate water change water if you are storing it. I keep 160 gallons or so of new water on hand, and I program my RKE to have the pump come on for 5 minutes every three hours, so I end up running my circ pump about 40 minutes a day when I am just storing water.

Fresh SW should be good for a decent period of time if you keep it in a covered container.

 

[tony_caliente]

I like that Idea Dave! Thank you!

 

[picoreefguy]

leveldrummer;939409 wrote: Its important to read your salt directions and mix/use it as it instructs, different salts are made to be used at different times. Some say to use the salt mix within so many hours, some say let the salt mix a minimum of so much time before use. Follow those instructions, they are there for a reason.

If your salt says to mix and use within 24 hours, then I certainly wouldnt mix and store for a week.

i get what you're saying but if the water were going to go bad being stored in a sealed container than i probably wouldnt use it in my tank cause whats to keep it from going bad in the tank?

 

[hiimsean]

leveldrummer;939409 wrote: Its important to read your salt directions and mix/use it as it instructs, different salts are made to be used at different times. Some say to use the salt mix within so many hours, some say let the salt mix a minimum of so much time before use. Follow those instructions, they are there for a reason.

This

With Red Sea CP I could mix it and add it within 4hrs. You don't want it to mix/sit too long. With RC I mix it for 12-24hrs. I have left RC with a pump circulating for a week or so before using it.

 

[w_hartyjr]

picoreefguy;939431 wrote: i get what you're saying but if the water were going to go bad being stored in a sealed container than i probably wouldnt use it in my tank cause whats to keep it from going bad in the tank?

+1^