Beezer, I've always used 2 cups rock salt, 2 cups borax, and 1 cup powdered milk in 1/2 gal purifide water. I don,t like the clorine you'llget from your city tap water. ( the milk makes them nice and shiny.)I mix up the brine and place it in the refer over night so that the mix is really cold and then put the herring in for 2 days.Really toughens them up and are as bright as fresh herring. When I cut plug them, I throw the heads and guts right back in for added scent.