Preparing the water for brackish tank

[Ernest]

I am sorry if this seems like a dumb question. How do you guys prepare the brackish water for water change? How do you keep all that water aside to do the water change? We can't just add the salt undissolved into the tanks, can we? So what's the method?

[Nick]

I have a python for sucking the water out and dumping new water in, so I mix all the salt I'll need for a 50% change into one 3 gallon bucket, then gradually pour that into the tank while adding fresh water with the python.

[Jay.B.]

mine gets totally pre-dissolved in two 5gallon jerricans then poured in

[Ernest]

Thanks, guys So it really isn't much different from what I am doing now already. I just wasn't aware how much salt you can dissolve in water before it hits saturation point.

[Nick]

at least twice full seawater.

[lazee]

I tend to mix a bucket at a time... one in one out to ensure a smooth transition

[Jay.B.]

the only problem with doing it one out then one in, one out then one in, is that you are then removing some of the new water you just put in when you take your second one out, therefore reducing the amount of water you are actually changing... nothing wrong with doing it that way, it's just less effective and less economical

[lazee]

I totally agree.. just had bad experiences in the past with mis-matched water going back in. A bit more attention to detail would pay off but it keeps my mind at ease... It is the small things after all

[taureandragon76]

I mix mine in a couple of 5g buckets with powerheads for 3 days prior to a wc. This way you know for a fact the salt is dissolved, and the water is aged and aerated.