I know Shawn uses some device to mix up his dry salt before he adds it to his RO water to mix. I was about to send him a PM to ask him exactly what it is so I can pick one up at Lowe’s or HD, but figured it would be more useful if I posted so other people could see the answer to this question.
This is something I know many reefs have mixed opinions on and I know many people run very successful tanks with out mixing up there dry salt. I’ve heard mixed opinions from reliable sources as to wither or not things are actually capable of separating out during shipping and what not and really am far from understanding the exact physics behind it.
The thing is, what does it hurt? From what Shawn says it doesn’t take too much time and either it helps or does nothing at all. I can’t see any negatives in doing so, so I am going to start just incase.
So what exactly am I looking for in the hardware store to mix up my salt buckets when I bring them home from the LFS?
I’ve heard mixed opinions from reliable sources as to wither or not things are actually capable of separating out during shipping and what not and really am far from understanding the exact physics behind it.
There are no ifs or maybes, if the particles are different size, they will seperate and settle during transport. The mixed opinions might come from the fact that some manufactures claim a uniform particle size. However, for most saltmixes its not the case and your salt will settle. If your not convinced, grab a jar, throw in a handful of different size marbles(or whatever) drive around with the jar for a couple of days, then look where all of the small marbles are at. The vibration will always cause the smallest particles to settle towards the bottom.
Anyways, to answer you question, look in the paint isle for a paint auger, or the building isle for a concrete auger. Either will work. I belive mine was about $8. You will be convinced the very first time you do it when the entire consistency of the top layer of your salt changes before your eyes.
I’ve heard mixed opinions from reliable sources as to wither or not things are actually capable of separating out during shipping and what not and really am far from understanding the exact physics behind it.
There are no ifs or maybes, if the particles are different size, they will seperate and settle during transport. The mixed opinions might come from the fact that some manufactures claim a uniform particle size. However, for most saltmixes its not the case and your salt will settle. If your not convinced, grab a jar, throw in a handful of different size marbles(or whatever) drive around with the jar for a couple of days, then look where all of the small marbles are at. The vibration will always cause the smallest particles to settle towards the bottom.[/quote]
This without a doubt will ALWAYS happen. It is actually a huge selling point I use for our CO2 absorbent product versus loose fill products, but that is another story. Large particles go up and the small (or dust) goes down.
If the salt mixes are proportionally mixed into the individual granules it won’t matter a bit. You would simply get a larger chunk of a correctly mixed powder. Due to the ease of it and the small nature of the hobby I would assume that most if not all (and from some of what I’ve read) salts are basically your salt, then, by overall weight, your other ingredients (sodium carbonate, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride) to reach your parameters. Most of those ‘other ingredients’ are probably smaller granual sizes and will fall to the bottom during shipping and any other movements and vibrations.