When it comes to the question, “Can I mix salt directly in my aquarium?”, the answer is Yes!! You can indeed mix salt directly into the aquarium and there is a strong reason as to why salt needs to be mixed in the aquarium.
Why Add Salt Directly To The Aquarium?
The reason for this is that adding the salt mix to your aquarium provides the elements found in natural saltwater that would otherwise be missing.
Although saltwater is recognized for its salt, it includes much more than sodium chloride, which is commonly used as table salt. In addition to calcium and magnesium, there are other salt crystals dissolved in the solution.
To ease the water against any sudden changes in its chemical composition that could threaten your fish and corals, seawater contains a considerable amount of dissolved bicarbonate — the same substance that’s in baking soda. Bicarbonate is commonly referred to as alkalinity in seawater mixes.
Now as we have understood the main reason behind adding salt to the aquarium, let us try to know and understand how to pick the best salt for your aquarium!!
How To Pick The Best Salt For Your Aquarium?
When it comes to choosing the best reef salt, here’s the harsh reality:
Every company will claim to offer the best, most pure salt mix, best trace element ratio, best mixability, and so on. Some salt mixtures are indeed better than others but when it comes to high-quality blends, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution.
So all in all, when we consider major parameters, then the big three have to come into the picture!!
As a result, this is what you must consider: Calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium
Calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium are the three most critical elements in your salt mix. Higher levels of each of these will be found in superior salt blends.
- Calcium is used by corals and invertebrates to help form their stony skeletons, and a reef aquarium should have a calcium content of 400 ppm (parts per million).
- Alkalinity is related to the amount of bicarbonate in your water, and it’s significant because, unlike pure water, natural seawater has a pH that’s slightly higher than 7 which is basic.
Your tank’s water will be acidic enough to dissolve coral skeletons and poison fish if you don’t add alkalinity in the form of bicarbonate. Alkalinity should be between 8 and 11 dKH.
Because calcium and magnesium both enhance alkalinity to water, the amount of bicarbonate you need in your salt mix will vary greatly depending on how much of these other chemicals are present. It’s simple to determine a salt combination that will give the correct chemical conditions for your reef tank by measuring total alkalinity.
- Magnesium is a trace mineral in natural saltwater, which means it is found in extremely low concentrations as compared to other compounds such as sodium, chloride, and calcium.
On the other hand, is critical for maintaining alkalinity balance because it interacts with bicarbonate to prevent it from precipitating as calcium carbonate, which would quickly drain the salt and alkalinity you supplied to the tank. A healthy reef tank should have a range of 1250-1400 ppm.
So far we have learned the reasons why salt needs to be added directly to the aquarium and how to pick one!! Now let us head straight into the steps to mix salt for saltwater aquariums.
How To Mix Salt For Saltwater Aquariums?
- Use the right mixing container.
To begin with, you’ll need a large enough container to stir the salt in. The container should be 10-20% of the size of your aquarium, depending on the amount of your water change.
A 5-gallon bucket or storage container can simply be used for small nano tanks. Significantly larger tanks will necessitate much larger containers. A Robust trash can or storage container is a common water container. These are frequently equipped with wheels, making them easy to maneuver.
Another alternative is to use Rubbermaid containers. Just make sure that whatever you’re using is safe for drinking water or storing food, and that it’s not a low-grade container that could leach contaminants into the water.
The advantage of using a larger container is that you can make more water at once and store it for the next water change. It’s critical to keep in mind that once you’ve chosen the correct container, you should only use it to mix water. Never use it for something else and then use it to mix water. Any substance that could end up in the water should be avoided.
- Fill the container using RODI water.
Your water will be safe for saltwater aquariums if you use RODI water. Tap water is never a good idea because it might include dangerous elements that can cause problems in a saltwater aquarium.
RODI filters are inexpensive and simple to install. They will save you money over time and are quite convenient to use. You should utilize RODI water whether you have a fish-only, FOWLR, or reef tank.
- Plugin your heater and powerhead.
Mixing the salt with a powerhead is a good idea. It must have enough water flow to properly mix the salt. Most people will just employ a cheap powerhead that isn’t in use in their main tank or as a spare.
Turn on the powerhead to start aerating the water and add a heater to boost the temperature to match the tank before adding salt to the container. As a general rule, for every gallon of water, use a heater rated at 3-5 watts.
If you’re mixing water in a 20-gallon storage container, you’ll need a 75-100 watt heater to get it to the right temperature.
If you use cold water to mix the salt, it may take longer for the salt to dissolve and may shock your fish if you add it to the tank. The recommended temperature for combining salt is 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the water has been mixed, you can heat it to the required temperature.
- Double-check the salt usage instructions.
Check the directions before adding the salt to the container to determine how much salt should be added to get the proper combination. You’ll need to figure out how much salt you’ll need to get your tank to the right salinity level. A usual SG range is 1.023-1.026.
For every gallon of fresh water, it’s typical to add 12 cups of salt. You will need 10 cups of salt for a 20-gallon container. Because each manufacturer is different, double-check before adding salt.
- Measure and season with salt.
While the container is mixing, slowly add the appropriate amount of salt to it using a measuring cup of your choice. When you add the salt, the water will become hazy for a brief while before clearing up. This is very normal.
- Properly store unused salt.
It’s critical to properly store any unused salt once you’ve opened the bag or bucket of salt you’re using. If you leave the salt out in the open, it will collect moisture from the air and harden into a clump. To avoid this, make sure the bag is well sealed to prevent air from entering.
- Use a refractometer to test the water.
You should use a refractometer to evaluate the salinity once the salt has properly mixed with the RODI water. It’s crucial to remember that not all salts mix evenly, and some may take longer to fully combine than others.
Mixing takes about 3 to 4 hours on average, although it might take much longer in some cases. It may take up to 24 hours for certain salts to be ready for usage. Before you go, double-check the manufacturer’s advice.
Your specific gravity should be 1.023-1.026 SG or 0.35 ppt, which is the average salinity of seawater, according to a refractometer.
That is it. Once you’ve completed these processes, your saltwater mixture is ready to use. Making your saltwater mix is a safe approach to ensure your fish and corals are getting the best water possible.
Conclusion:
I hope that this article has helped you to figure out the salts that work best for your aquariums and the ways to mix the salt for your saltwater aquarium. Cheers!!