Help setting up first salt tank

sh0tyme83 · 09/18/2007, 12:59 PM

I have had freshwater my whole life and recently just purchased an oceanic 37 gallon show with 10 gallon sump from JCar. Thanks Joe, if you read this. I bought my first salt mix and I am alittle stumped as how to mix the salt with the water. I am probably making this more complicated than it needs to be but I figured with my first experience, I want to get it right. The directions say it should be 1.4 pounds of salt per 5 gallons of water. I was just wondering what the best way is to do this. It seems like this should be easy, but in short of using a scale, I'm at a loss. Also, with nothing in the tank, would it be ok to use tap water for the initial cycle and then buy an RODI unit when I actually start to put stuff in the tank.

HumanIMDB · 09/18/2007, 01:04 PM

1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water is the ratio I use.

You will want a hydrometer or better yet a refractometer to measure your mix. Specific Gravity of 1.026 seems to be what everyone runs.

I use a 10 gallon rubbermaid container, a Hagen 402 Powerhead, and a Tronic 100w heater to mix my water changes and do 5 gallons per week (1/2 the tank volume for my nano).

Hope this helps.

NirvanaFan · 09/18/2007, 01:13 PM

I used tap water that I let sit for like a week to start up my 75 gallon tank. I had a pretty big hair algae problem for a month or so. I'm thinking that was why. I'd probably bite the bullet and buy an RODI now, or buy some water from your LFS or another reefer in your area.

HumanIMDB · 09/18/2007, 01:16 PM

Oh ya, RO is definitely the way to go...RODI is even better.

sh0tyme83 · 09/18/2007, 01:22 PM

That was going to be another question in the near future but since you bring it up now, might as well ask it. How do you set up an RODI unit? Also, all the ones I have been looking at are like 20 gallons a day, isn't this very slow?

HumanIMDB · 09/18/2007, 01:26 PM

Not sure about the setup as I haven't done one myself yet. I can't remember the user name of the guy who helps most people on here with RO/DI setup questions...dessertrat or something like that. Check in the Equipment Forums.

I think 60GPD is the minimum you want as that is the "maximum" rate. Actual production is usually a lot less and varies depending on your source water quality.

HumanIMDB · 09/18/2007, 01:32 PM

Found the username - AZDesertRat

MegsB · 09/18/2007, 01:36 PM

i cant comment on the tap vs RO water (im on a well, so use th well water, and its been great) but if you have nothing in the tank i would just add the water into the tank and slowly add salt (with powerheads running) while testing the salinity, much easier than bucketing it!

i run my tanks at 1.025, and use approx 2 cups of salt per 5 gallons bucket,

dhnguyen · 09/18/2007, 01:43 PM

If you ever consider on having a reef tank, RO/DI is a must have. So keep that in mind.

NirvanaFan · 09/18/2007, 01:58 PM

To set up the RODI I had to go to the hardware store and buy a couple of couplings to hook the RODI up. I'm guessing that if you buy new, it will come with instructions. If you get a used one somewhere post up some pics and I'm sure someone could explain what you have to do.

09/18/2007, 12:59 PM	#1
sh0tyme83 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 548	Help setting up first salt tank I have had freshwater my whole life and recently just purchased an oceanic 37 gallon show with 10 gallon sump from JCar. Thanks Joe, if you read this. I bought my first salt mix and I am alittle stumped as how to mix the salt with the water. I am probably making this more complicated than it needs to be but I figured with my first experience, I want to get it right. The directions say it should be 1.4 pounds of salt per 5 gallons of water. I was just wondering what the best way is to do this. It seems like this should be easy, but in short of using a scale, I'm at a loss. Also, with nothing in the tank, would it be ok to use tap water for the initial cycle and then buy an RODI unit when I actually start to put stuff in the tank.

09/18/2007, 01:04 PM	#2
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water is the ratio I use. You will want a hydrometer or better yet a refractometer to measure your mix. Specific Gravity of 1.026 seems to be what everyone runs. I use a 10 gallon rubbermaid container, a Hagen 402 Powerhead, and a Tronic 100w heater to mix my water changes and do 5 gallons per week (1/2 the tank volume for my nano). Hope this helps. __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

09/18/2007, 01:16 PM	#4
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	Oh ya, RO is definitely the way to go...RODI is even better. __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

09/18/2007, 01:26 PM	#6
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	Not sure about the setup as I haven't done one myself yet. I can't remember the user name of the guy who helps most people on here with RO/DI setup questions...dessertrat or something like that. Check in the Equipment Forums. I think 60GPD is the minimum you want as that is the "maximum" rate. Actual production is usually a lot less and varies depending on your source water quality. __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

09/18/2007, 01:32 PM	#7
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	Found the username - AZDesertRat __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

09/18/2007, 01:13 PM	#3
NirvanaFan Reef Ninja Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 4,280	I used tap water that I let sit for like a week to start up my 75 gallon tank. I had a pretty big hair algae problem for a month or so. I'm thinking that was why. I'd probably bite the bullet and buy an RODI now, or buy some water from your LFS or another reefer in your area.

09/18/2007, 01:22 PM	#5
sh0tyme83 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 548	That was going to be another question in the near future but since you bring it up now, might as well ask it. How do you set up an RODI unit? Also, all the ones I have been looking at are like 20 gallons a day, isn't this very slow?

09/18/2007, 01:36 PM	#8
MegsB Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: BC Posts: 230	i cant comment on the tap vs RO water (im on a well, so use th well water, and its been great) but if you have nothing in the tank i would just add the water into the tank and slowly add salt (with powerheads running) while testing the salinity, much easier than bucketing it! i run my tanks at 1.025, and use approx 2 cups of salt per 5 gallons bucket,

09/18/2007, 01:43 PM	#9
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	If you ever consider on having a reef tank, RO/DI is a must have. So keep that in mind.

09/18/2007, 01:58 PM	#10
NirvanaFan Reef Ninja Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 4,280	To set up the RODI I had to go to the hardware store and buy a couple of couplings to hook the RODI up. I'm guessing that if you buy new, it will come with instructions. If you get a used one somewhere post up some pics and I'm sure someone could explain what you have to do.