water questions

Hey everyone,

I'm setting up my first 100 gallon reef aquarium and have a couple of quick questions.

I plan on mixing my RO/DI water and salt in a separate container from my aquarium. I'm wondering if:

a. does the mixing container need to be a special grade of material? i was planning on just buying a large plastic container from home depot. will that work?

b. can you recommend a pump i can use to to mix the salt with the water. ideally i'd like something can mix as well as pump water into my aquarium. is that possible? also, would what kind of tubing should i get to do that?

thanks so much! i plan on documenting the process, so expect pictures soon!

 

IMHO you should be fine with a standard 5gal bucket for mixing salt. And as for device for mixing just about anything will due, including your hand. You're not going to want to mix while pumping into your tank at the same time. I have always let my mixes sit for at least 24 hrs while heated and aerated, as do most people on here.

And as for pumping into your tank you can always use the gravity method. Just place it higher than your tank and use suction to get it started.

 

As mentioned above, the sky is the limit with mixing containers! buckets, tubes, barrels etc., as long as they are plastic and have not been used as a cleaning bucket with soap etc. residue.
I would employ a standard powerhead to help mix the salt and maybe an airstone for increasing the amount of dissolved into your water, though that isn't necessary with a small amount of water being changed weekly or bi-weekly.
Being able to keep your top-off and new saltwater above your main tank would be ideal, though the weight issue and eye appeal will come into play undoubtably! I just use a cup to add the new saltwater or top off water( which by the way, ARE NOT, to be confused as one in the same)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Top off water is fresh water with possibly pH, calcium, strontium, iodine and alkalinity buffer additives, whereas your water change wate ris the saltwater with these and other traces etc.

 

I use a regular 5 Gal bucket I bought at Walmart. I would buy a lid so if you let it sit for 24 hrs it won't let any debris fall in the water.

I usually don't use a heater, my room temperature usually takes care of it. I do however use an air pump with airstones to get some good aeration going.

As to how to put the water into the tank...I just empty the bucket a bit by pouring some of the water with a plastic container (used only for that purpose) and then tip the bucket to pour the rest of the water...just make sure you dont do it too fast or you'll stirr your sand bed.

 

Don't mean to hitch hike this thread, but I have a question reefer....you mention the addition of PH, Ca, etc buffers in the top off water...what if one just adjusts parameters after adding the top off water?

If not, what is the recommend dosage for top off water in small amounts...for example two 5 Gal jugs?

 

What I do when I add top off water, I add Kents Marine OSMO perp into the 5gal container.
Prep your marine aquarium with this reverse osmosis reclaim chemistry. Reconstitutes reverse osmosis, distilled or de-ionized water to provide a base for mixture of seawater mixes. Particularly useful in establishing proper calcium, magnesium, and buffer levels for reef aquariums. Made without phosphate, nitrate, silicate, or organics
This stuff works great, for me at least. I never have to add additives like Cal, Mag and sometimes buffers. NOTE, I dont ALWAYS add this every week, only when needed( I test before I add anything )