How to Mix Marine Salt

Saltwater aquariums are popular for their ability to house vibrant fish that thrive in a sea water environment. Requiring a bit more maintenance that their freshwater alternative, one of the most important parts of setting up a successful saltwater tank is perfect water conditioning. Using good measurement and the proper tools can ensure a safe living environment for a tropical fish tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Large plastic trash container (must hold more gallons of water than your aquarium)
  • Floating thermometer
  • 200-watt aquarium water heater
  • Powerhead filter
  • Piece of paper
  • Pen
  • Salt mix
  • Refractometer
  • 10 feet of new 5/8-inch tubing
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Instructions

  1. Preparing Equipment

    • 1

      Rinse the trash container thoroughly. Use only water, no detergents or bleach or harsh cleansers. Make sure the container does not have any holes or metal parts that could be eroded by salt.

    • 2

      Place the trash container beside the aquarium. Fill the trash container with the same number of gallons as your aquarium holds.

    • 3

      Insert the floating thermometer into the aquarium.

    • 4

      Rest the powerhead filter and the water heater inside the trash container. Plug both items into the nearest electrical outlet.

    • 5

      Check the temperature on the thermometer in the aquarium. Write the temperature of the tank on your sheet of paper.

    Mixing in the Marine Salt

    • 6

      Add one-third of the marine salt required to bring your water to the proper salinity level for your fish type. Allow the salt to completely dissolve while you check the thermometer. Adjust water heater if the water temperature is too warm or too cool compared to tank temperature.

    • 7

      Add another third of salt to the water in the trash container. Keep an eye on the temperature. Let the salt dissolve fully in the water.

    • 8

      Use the refractometer to test the salinity of the water. If the specific gravity (salinity) is too low, add more salt. If the specific gravity is too high you can add more water.

    • 9

      Test the water temperature again to ensure the container water temperature matches the tank temperature.

    • 10

      Unplug the water heater and powerhead. Attach one end of tubing to the output of the powerhead and insert the other end into the aquarium. Plug in the powerhead and monitor the aquarium as your saltwater is now pumped into the tank from the aquarium.