Mixing Salt

[Die_Grinder]

do you have to heat the water up before you do a water change to get the hydrometer correct?

if so could i mix it in tank (no fish) then take a sample out and let it kool down to room temp then measure the gravity on the hydrometer, so that i know where it needs to be to mix my water change water in a cooler room temp?

if that makes any sense lol

 

[Aquascaper]

Saltwater should be mixed out of the main tank/refugium/sump in a separate conatiner as the shock of adding pure salt into an area of the tank will kill any life in the vicinity including bacteria. The water should be at the same temperature as your tank water to get an accurate SG reading if you're using a Hydrometer or Swing Arm as these are temperature dependant, if you're using a Refractometer this is not an issue but the water will need to be the same temperature when added to the tank.

It's been said before and it will be said again, stability is the key to a sucessful marine tank, wildy fluctuation parameters will only lead to deaths so keep everything as static as possible (SG, Temp, pH, KH, GK, etc.)

 

[crazyelece]

You want to have the fresh water mixed up, heated to the same temp and fully aerated before adding it to your tank. Since you do this anyway, just measure before you add to make sure the specific gravity matches. Also salt mixes better into warmer water than it does cold. I usually get my water in a container, then add a powerhead and heater, then when it is at temp I add the salt.