More Questions for Boomer..

[Ed Hahn]

Hello Boomer,
We both know now that new saltwater mixes need to be aeraorated for about 24 hours to make sure ph is adjusted for fish tank.

I see a lot of people still covering their Saltwater fish tanks almost completely.
I also see people leaving lids on their mixing tanks for make up water. They mix water for 24 hours but leave lid on sealed completely.
Does a sealed lid in both cases above prevent gases from exchanging or does it still happen?

 

[Boomer]

Ed

The 24 hrs can be dropped by this method to 5 min. or a similar method.

How to Mix a Batch of Synthetic Seawater in Under Five Minutes
http://web.archive.org/web/20011217234403/www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/sep/bio/default.asp

I see a lot of people still covering their Saltwater fish tanks almost completely.

**I have no problem with that as long as there is not a CO2/O2 issue. I think it is best to have lids off

I also see people leaving lids on their mixing tanks for make up water. They mix water for 24 hours but leave lid on sealed completely.

** Not the greatest idea for gas exchange. A tight lid will just keep recycling the CO2 often.


Does a sealed lid in both cases above prevent gases from exchanging or does it still happen?

* Yes it can /will and this is often an issue. The gas usually CO2 gets trapped and ends up back in the water where you do not want it, lowering the pH. Remember CO2 is heavy and O2 is much lighter ( CO2 = 44, O2 = 32). The O2 will usually not be that much of an issue, skimmer, sumps, plunging water,etc. but a tight lid will also reduce surface gas exchange for O2.

I don't like lids unless they can breath well. Covering the tank with a wood box with lots of space under the box and fans is a different issue. When you say lid Ed, I mean as in glass lid or plastic hoods that sit right on top of the tank frame. Where is almost like throwing a rug over a open tank.

 

[Ed Hahn]

Boomer,
Thanks for another good read.
What are you thoughts of ready made Seawater? I am seeing more of that at the LFS.

 

[Boomer]

I'm not sure yet Ed. Do you mean things like Nutri-Seawater ? As my area has no such things.

http://www.naturesocean.com/nutri_sea_water.htm

 

[Ed Hahn]

I'm not sure yet Ed. Do you mean things like Nutri-Seawater ? As my area has no such things.

http://www.naturesocean.com/nutri_sea_water.htm

Yes. I was thinking water evaporates and changes salinity, etc. I wanted a professional view from someone more educated.

 

[Boomer]

As a far as I can tell this Nutri-Seawater is not an evaporate if that is what you mean. It is 35 ppt right out of the bottle and is NSW so they claim, with some "stuff" added .

 

[Scooterman]

I would cover my new water but it always had lots of air space above it & the lid isn't air tight, should I leave the cover off? I would do it this way because I make it in the garage & didn't want something to land in it, like a bug etc.. even though the garage is closed.

 

[4251cpd]

I would cover my new water but it always had lots of air space above it & the lid isn't air tight, should I leave the cover off? I would do it this way because I make it in the garage & didn't want something to land in it, like a bug etc.. even though the garage is closed.

Cheese cloth covering perhaps????

 

[morgan]

i just use ocean water that i keep in 25l bottles