Better more affective water vhanges??

As long as you wait or stir long enough for the salt to be fully dissolved and distributed in the water, that method works for a small water change, like the 5 gallons out of his 55 tank. I wouldn't do that for a 10+ change on a 55 though.

 

I use the same method as banthonyb71 on my 29g FOWLR. Have done that for the 1.5 yrs I've had the tank. I haven't encountered any problems.
Here's exactly what i do...

-I use tap, I don't have a LFS(in my own town that is) or an RODI unit
-take out my 20%(aprox. 3.5g) from tank
-Get hot water from faucet
-Check temp
-mix with large wooden stir stick (I don't have an extra powerhead)
-Add salt(1/2c per 1g)
-check SG & temp.
-slowly pour into tank over a period of about 2 hours, to prevent shock

 

I don't know....10 gal. out of 55 may still be o.k. if you add slowly and it doesn't bring down the temp of the tank more than a couple degrees.

 

I have a 55 gallon sump in my basement. I make up ro/di and use Red Sea salt mix (which mixes very well). I make up 35 gallons in a large container, once the water is at a certain level (a few gallons) I toss in my heater and air-stone and then the correct salt for all 35 gallons. Continue to make RO/DI. If I start this late morning I am ready around dinner time for the change. The salt dissolves 100% as the RO/DI is made, the heater is able to keep up with the cold water and the pump mixes everything to perfection. I use a pump in my sump to a waste line, no 5 gallon buckets for me ! I then use another pump to move the new water to the sump. I do not turn off my system as my return pump remains submerged.

 

It also depends on whether you have enough aeration to beat out the systems requirements or just to keep up - which in itself is dependent on whether you're doing it during the day or at night.