Reef Salt Container Size

[KP_Reef_Tank]

Hi all,

 

I have been buying reef salt that makes 50 gallons, for my 35 gallon tank.

 

Calcium levels have been about 50% of stated. Should I be buying smaller bags of salt?

 

Do companies put more or less of their mineral concentration for different size containers?

 

 

Help me out!

[TheKleinReef]

If its the same salt mix by the same company, it'll generally mix water to the same parameters regardless of how big the bucket it came in is. it'll just be packaged in smaller containers.

 

I usually just get a big bucket (makes 250G) instead of buying smaller buckets more frequently.

 

is that what you were asking?

[yomon347]

Bag size should not matter. Some salt brands have specific mixing instructions, and when not followed properly result in minerals precipitating from the solution.

 

What brand and what calcium reading are you getting and how are you mixing it?

[seabass]

Sometimes there is precipitation of elements out of suspension (or even within the container of dry mix). Did you see any undissolved particles or precipitation?

 

It's also possible that settling of minerals can occur in the container during shipping. Rolling the bucket of dry mix can sometimes help redistribute the contents.

 

The other possibility is that your test kit (or your reading of it, or procedure) is off.

[KP_Reef_Tank]

I normally mix a little bit of salt in a 5gallon bucket, that's all I have right now.

But I've been wanting to try using a majority of the salt at one time.

 

 

So I recently tried placing half a bag in a 5 gallon bucket with water, and then separated it out in to multiple 5 gallon containers, to get the right salinity level.

 

I measured the calc level with the half bag in 5gallons and it was plenty high.

I tried measuring calc in one container with the correct salinity level for adding to my tank, and it was very low again.

[seabass]

So I recently tried placing half a bag in a 5 gallon bucket with water, and then separated it out in to multiple 5 gallon containers, to get the right salinity level. I measured the calc level with the half bag in 5gallons and it was plenty high. I tried measuring calc in one container with the correct salinity level for adding to my tank, and it was very low again.

When mixing salt, you have to put the mix in the amount of water you are making. So for example, to make 4 gallons of saltwater in a 5 gallon bucket, you would

• add 3 1/2 to 4 gallons of RO/DI (or distilled) water
• slowly add 2 cups of dry salt mix while stirring
• after it dissolves (mixes clear), test the specific gravity and make minor adjustments if necessary

I usually mix it just slightly strong, by using a little less water (like a 1/2 a gallon less) and add what I need back to achieve the desired specific gravity.

 

After it mixes clear, test calcium. If you put the mix in too little water, some elements will precipitate and become insoluble at typical pH values.