how much salt do i add

im mixing my first batch of water for a water change and i was wondering if there was a salt to water ratio i can use to start out. like a cup of salt to a gallon of water or whatever. thanks

 

It's usually 1/2 cup to 1 gallon to get 1.025. Hope this helps.

 

awesome thanks alot!!

 

That's the ratio, but you really should be using a refractometer.

 

you can find a pretty decent quality refractometer on ebay for around $30 they're worth the investment IMO

 

It's 2 1/2 cups per 5gals gives you a 1.25 salinity and you should mix it overnight with a powerhead & heater. I use Instant Ocean not too sure if it ranges per salt mfg though.

 

Marine Depot Aquarium Refractometer Sale

I was checking out what Marine Depot was running on sale and came across a refractometer for $39.99. The same one I have & works like a dream. It takes me 20secs to do a salinity test. Then I rinse it. I paid $49.99 when I bought mine & I thought that was a great deal. Once you use one, you'll never go back you you old way.

Marine Depot Aquarium Refractometer

 

you know it says on the bag/bucket right....

 

Not if you buy it in bulk case. It has 4 bags & each bag does 50gals per time. That was fine when I was mixing in 50gal to start up my system. ;D

 

true but if you're like me you get it by the bag with directions on the back and dump it into the Reef Crystals bucket you have even though its seachem reef salt.