heating water for water change

We are getting ready to do a 20% water change on our 75 gal tank. Without buying another heater--we are looking for a way to get the WC water close to tank temp. I want to try boiling the water, and I have read you should not actually boil, but heat close to boiling. So if I were to do this is it OK to heat the prepared salt water or should we heat some RO water and add it to the mix?

 

Don' tadd mix tell after water is right temp. I just did this 10 min ago wc day.

 

I would say to heat the RO water first then add the salt. Now, if you have an over flow and sump set up, and you have a little time and patience, you can mix up your change water (if it is at room temp, 72-74) and add it a couple of gallons at a time over 30-40 min. and there shouldn't be any problem with as much water volume you have. You are only changing 7 or so gallons so you display will only drop a couple of degrees or so. That is much like a cold front coming to a reef.

 

hmmmm. we have already mixed the salt in and was hoping it would come to room temp, but after 2 days it is still in the 60's--not sure of exact temp at this moment since not at home. I was hoping we could just heat up some RO and add it to the premixed water and adjust as needed until we get right temp and salinity.

 

One of the fun things about this hobby is you realize that you now need this and that. Get a cheap heater off of ebay or simply take out the heater from your main tank and heat up the new water. I have 500W heater I got for $42 shipped on Ebay it takes about 15 minutes to raise 25 gallons 8-10 degrees.

 

small heater is the way to go. In the winter I just store my water in my house. If I add 5 gal to a 100 gal system it don't even move the temp. I just think of the cold curent situations that are encountred on a real reef.

 

will definitely have to invest in second heater. thanks guys.

 

Why do you say this I have done last 4 wc in this manner and had no problem. I have a thirty gal trash can filled wih ro. Take out two big pots bring almost to boil. good steam. Dump them back in can and water comes up to tank temp.

 

How would heating water change its make up. Is there something that would change. Even if you heated saltwater I would think nothing would change maybe salinity for the water that evaporated. Uncle Jed what are your thoughts.

 

yes uncle jed, why?