You are correct and what would happen if you add the two together and stored them dry?
[quote=“kaptken, post:20, topic:4270”]
the heat is the heat of hydration. anhydrous salts absorbing water release heat. maybe some salts are more hydrated than others. or dehydrated. [/quote]
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I don’t see how there could be any “problem” with mixing the two salts at the same time, at worst you might get less than optimal results, but I personally think you would be fine.
As far as mixing two high calcium salts, they are high by volume so mixing the two would just result in an average of the two ‘high’ calcium results (i.e. saltA 420 Ca, saltB 480 Ca = saltmix 450 Ca). On the other hand based on the other components in the mix you might only end up with a 420 Ca reading.
The only issue I could see is different brands using different raw ingredients to achieve the levels that may not mix well together at the same time.
My thought here is for example you shouldn’t dose your mag supplements at the same time as your calcium supplements and you shouldn’t dose mag while dosing kalk as the mag will just precipitate out.
I don’t think you would get a necessarily BAD result from mixing the two (or three) and you MIGHT get an average of the three result or you could get some type of lowest value wins out.
All IMO, I’m not a chemist, but I played one in a school play once.
i agree with ian and he agrees with me. freaking amazing. and how can we be wrong? hey buddy! welcome to my side.
[quote=“IanH, post:23, topic:4270”]
The only issue I could see is different brands using different raw ingredients to achieve the levels that may not mix well together at the same time. [/quote]
Coming sence tells me DON’T DO IT
rosti, you mix your different kinds of salt every time you change water too, only it’s a liquid. i don’t see why there’s any difference.
Back to the questions I put up. Why do you have to let the salt mix over night before adding? What are you waiting for? There is a difference between the dry salt, the salt mix recently added to water and what you have after it’s been mixed thoroughly over night.
jon, just for me, i mix then wait about 24 hrs b/c all salt buckets say don’t mix into dt immediately after making sw. to answer your 2nd question: there is no difference seems to me between dry and wet chemically nor any diff between the first 2 and the third option besides the possibliity of salt not mixing in the water completely right after pouring it in. i did pose the question on rc. a “reef chemist” who has calibration articles in reefkeeper Randy Holmes-Farley wrote "Many people do. It is a fine thing if you are convinced it is useful. "
[quote=“moliken, post:26, topic:4270”]
rosti, you mix your different kinds of salt every time you change water too, only it’s a liquid. i don’t see why there’s any difference.[/quote]
After mixing a salt mix, end product is the same (salt water). Every mfg get there different ways. Interactions of incompatible raw materials is what scares me. Once it’s mixed up (dissolved/ stabilized ionically) than I see the benefits of using different salt mixes.
[quote=“Gordonious, post:27, topic:4270”]
Back to the questions I put up. Why do you have to let the salt mix over night before adding? What are you waiting for? [/quote]
Equilibrium
I’ve been researching salt mixes for several weeks now, this thread pretty much covers the reason why. I understand why you’d want to mix different brands of salts to substitue trace elements, and avoid dosing. From what I’ve found, the only harm comes from big swings in inconsistencies. If you stick with a blend to which your livestock reacts well, and you have to dose less/makes your life easier, then I would see no reason why you should change a thing.
To Craigs point above, it would be a stupendous idea to pre-mix your dry salt before batching, your measurements will be much more precise and your solution will have a much greater consistency.
Mixing salts, especially “specifically formulated” salt water tank mixes, will not cause toxic compounds to be formed unless you don’t pay attention to the buildup of trace elements over time (and if you mix it properly). Keep an eye on your salts’ element concentrations, choose the blend you like, then stick with it. If your animals react well, then I suppose you’ll grow a tank full of “win”.
If there’s something that I’ve learned, it’s that each tank is unique. To that point, if you find something that works well for you, don’t be embarrased in the slightests if it sounds quirky and strange. It only adds to the glamour of the many facets of this wonderful hobby, and is worth a share and a group chuckle.
[quote=“Gordonious, post:27, topic:4270”]
Back to the questions I put up. Why do you have to let the salt mix over night before adding? What are you waiting for? There is a difference between the dry salt, the salt mix recently added to water and what you have after it’s been mixed thoroughly over night. [/quote]
Indeed, you are waiting for equilibrium. It’s not a simple NaCl solution you’re dissolving, but there are many other larger and harder to dissolve compounds in true salt water that take a while to dissolve. If you were to mix a batch and take the SG immediately, then wait 24 hours, take the SG again, you’ll see what I mean. Even though it may LOOK like the salts are dissolved, it is simply waiting in suspension yet to be dissociated into its ionic components.
To another point, there is no harm in storing different dry salts together. Ken described the “burn” reason accurately, one brand may be more anhydrous than another. Together, they will achieve some sort of equilibrium by distributing the hydration (or lack there of).
[quote=“dajohnson02, post:32, topic:4270”]
[quote=“Gordonious, post:27, topic:4270”]
Back to the questions I put up. Why do you have to let the salt mix over night before adding? What are you waiting for? There is a difference between the dry salt, the salt mix recently added to water and what you have after it’s been mixed thoroughly over night. [/quote]
Indeed, you are waiting for equilibrium. It’s not a simple NaCl solution you’re dissolving, but there are many other larger and harder to dissolve compounds in true salt water that take a while to dissolve. If you were to mix a batch and take the SG immediately, then wait 24 hours, take the SG again, you’ll see what I mean. Even though it may LOOK like the salts are dissolved, it is simply waiting in suspension yet to be dissociated into its ionic components.[/quote]
Also keep in mind that while mixing your salt water if you add an airstone you will bring the pH up significantly and will not be doing a water change with 7.6 PH water in to a tank that was at 8.2 - I airate my new salt water for a MINIMUM of 24 hours before use.