aging replacement water

[tarpons]

Out of active curiosity, how long MUST one wait after mixing fresh replacement saltwater before adding it to the aquarium? I know that it is ideal to make it a week or so in advance, but . . . I goofed big time.

I mixed my Reef Crystals water after last week's water change and used it for yesterday's water change. I did not check the SG of my new water before adding it. SG of the tank was at 1.021 before the water change. SG after the water change was 1.019 In retrospect, I realized I had added just one cup of mix to the each 5 gallon bucket rather than 1 cup/2 gallons.

Everyone seems to be doing well. The EVENT was yesterday morning, and all the fish, shrimp, snails, and crabs are acting as if nothing happened. I have now created enough properly mixed water to change out 15 gallons, part was mixed last night, the rest this morning (I don't have the fastest ro/di system). Would I be safe to put the new water in after 'aging' it for 2 days? If so, I'd like to do a 15 gallon water change every 2 days until the SG is 1.025. Is that a sound plan, or is that too aggressive? Should I mix the replacement water at normal concentration or add an extra 1/2 cup to each 5 gallons? Geez, I feel like an idiot.

Candy

 

[shavo]

don't know the exact answer here, I think i may read the side of my salt bucket and see if it has something to say, if you get to it before me let me know, it's getting late and i am going ot bed

 

[JRS]

A lot of folks mix theirs the same day of the water change with no ill effects. The critical factors are making sure the salt is dissolved completely and the temp and salinity are close. (I use a slow drip to refill to minimize and differences)

Personally, I like to let mine circulate at least a day and then fine tune the salinity if necessary. Less attention required :wink:

 

[trido]

24 hours is enough. Alot of the old pros circulate it during that time to bring up the PH and make sure all of the salt is dissolved.

 

[ChrisRD]

I prefer to wait about 24 hours before using new saltwater - not absolutely necessary, but a good precaution IMO. Personally, I think waiting a week to use new saltwater is overkill. You're certainly fine to use it at 2 days.

If you want to raise your salinity the easiest way IMO is to just top-off your evaporation with saltwater for a while until your salinity is up where you want it - then switch back to freshwater top-off.

HTH

 

[shavo]

what if it is not circulated? can I put it in a bucket and mix it, then leave it (not circulated) and use it then 24 hours later??

 

[Anonymous]

I've had incomplete dissolution results from leaving it uncirculated, even after sitting for a week. I usually just stick a bubbler in and it's dissolved (and aerated) by the next day.

 

[shavo]

probabbly a good idea, I am sure i have an old air pump laying around. I even probabbly have an old powerhead to throw in there intead.

thanks for the info!!!!!!!!

shavs