How do you do it?

[sj022698]

Ok, as I type I have my RO unit (100 gpd) pumping water into my tank to fill for the first time. However, I will be doing a small bit of curing some rock.

From what everyone seems to be doing is keeping a 35-50 gallon rubbermaid trashcan full of RO water.

My question is once I put the water in there, do I add the salt or do I wait till I get ready for a water change and put it in a 5 gallon bucket and get the salinity to where it needs to be? Or, do I just put the water in the trash can and add the correct amount of salt for the whole 35 gallons? If so, when do I mix it and for how long? Right before I put it in, 24 hours before changes, etc...

Would love all your help!

Thanks,
Justin

[dougc]

Get a second bin or trashcan. I always keep a trashcan full of RO water ready. You will need it for replacing evaporation from the tank. Mix your saltwater in a separate bin. I have three commercial 28-gallon Rubbermaid Brute bins.

One stores RO water and is equipped with a Kent float valve and solenoid to shut off the RO/DI filter when the bin is full. This one also has a bulkhead in the bottom, a shutoff valve, and a permanently attached pump. My RO filter is in the basement, far from my tank, so I just run a hose up the stairs to pump water to the first floor. It saves a lot of slogging buckets of water around.

The second bin is used for mixing saltwater. This one is in my garage and is equipped with a heater and a powerhead. I fill the bin with water, start the powerhead and heater up, and then add salt. This is allowed to season for at least 24 hours before using it.

The third bin is used during water changes. The water from the tank is siphoned into the bin, which mostly serves to measure how much water has been removed. I then pump the fresh saltwater from my mixing bin into the tank to complete the water change.

[sj022698]

I use 2. One for water (normal evaporation) and one for saltwater. Can I make about 20 gallons of RO water in a rubbermaid and add the salt and get it to the right point say on a monday. Then on Friday night start the powerhead and heater to do a water change on sat. Is this ok?

However, if I did one container with a heater, I could use that water for top offs and when I needed to do a water change I could just use a 5 gallon bucket with a small powerhead, correct? That way I have more space and I don't need 2 heaters, etc...How long do I need to mix the salt with the powerhead. If it's 24 hours, that means, I'll still need a heater, for both containers, am I right? Or, since it's such a small amount, couldn't I only mix it for an hour or so?

Also, can I set the heater directly in the trash can or tub without worrying about catching on fire? I'm assuming it doesn't put out that much heat plus it's in water.

[Poseidon]

I always let my salt mix for 24 hours, less then that and you may have pH swings. I use a single rubbermaid now for space reasons, but I used to use 2, one for salt and one for fresh. I have a heater and powerhead in it at all times. Usually I will start my routine on a Saturday morning, I take out enough RO to use for top off that night, add salt, and turn the RO unit back on to replace what I just removed. Let it mix overnight, then do water change early. Clean out the can, and start filling ASAP so I have enough water to use for topoff Sunday night. It is a good routine for me. NEVER use salt water that has only been mixed for a hour.... You are asking for trouble!