Mixing Salt

I've read salt should be mixed for 24 hours prior to doing a water change, which is what I've done. Has worked well, without issue...but, I'm curious what others have done successfully....or even unsuccessfully.

 

I always premix mine at least 24 hours however the label on IO reef crystals say you can use it instantly.

Also, my salinity will drop if my skimmer locker (5 gallons) fills up quickly. In that case I dump straight salt into my sump and hope it dissolves in time. I feel like I have a little bit of leeway considering I have a large water volume (300 gallons) It is probably not best practice but works for me.....

 

I use reef crystals as well. I have a pump that circulates mine for me. I only wait about 15 minutes to be safe. I've never had a problem.

 

I fill a 30 gallon trash can with RO and a bag of reef crystals. Then I mix for about 15 - 20 minutes with a drill that has a paint mixer bit on. Then I let my mag 5 cycle the water over night before I use it.

 

Then don't change a thing, if it's working fine for you, then why change?.
I use Aqua Vitro by Seachem and I had the sales rep tell me he uses his right after mixing, I find that hard to beleave because it's very cloudy for about the first few hours, I read the label and it says to wait 24 hours, thats the way I've done it sense I've been in the hobby no mater what salt I'm using.

 

I wait at least 24 hours after mixing... Also, I usually have SW mixed and ready to use at a moments notice/emergency. If by chance my tank becomes low on salinity (can occur sometimes because of wet skimming and skipping a WC), I make a slurry of salt and RO/DI and slowly add it to the sump......

 

Reef crystals, use a 18 gallon tote, mix it with 2 powerheads. Its usually clear within a few minutes, and i dump her in. Never had a problem doing it instantly.

 

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds to me like the 24 hour thing is not as rigid as I have treated it. That technique works well, but it sounds like many of you have also been successful with a much shorter mix time.

 

as long as you let it mix long enough so it clears up you should be fine. In my case i make new salt water right after i do a water change, this way i always have a backup of 30g of new saltwater and it mixes for a week.

 

I do 40 gallon wc by putting a mag 18 in a brute and mixing reef crystals till clear. I add it as soon as temp is at 77. This is often an hour after mixing. No negative effects ime.

Matt