Question about start up

Capsle · 07/22/2016, 07:39 AM

Hey Reefers,

So everything is now setup and I'm about to start my tank off. I plan on mixing the salt in the tank as it is empty at the moment. I am going for a deep sand bed 5"-6". I have about 120 lb of normal sand and 40 lb of live sand.

I know that my saltwater needs to be mixed before I add my live sand and live rock. My question is, can I put in my "normal" sand and then add RO/DI water and then my salt; or should I mix up my saltwater in the tank first and then add everything?

Does it make a difference if my "normal" sand is in contact with freshwater or not?

Thanks in advance,

Caps.

scooter31707 · 07/22/2016, 08:09 AM

mix salt with the water first, then add rock and sand.

dweber618 · 07/22/2016, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter31707

mix salt with the water first, then add rock and sand.

+1

JohnnyHildo · 07/22/2016, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter31707

mix salt with the water first, then add rock and sand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dweber618

+1

i agree with these fellers too.
5 gallons at a time i fill rodi into the pail then add your salt in with a powerhead turning the water and a heater bringing it to temperature. this way you can test the pails to properly manage your specific gravity. it also helps for down the road when you start doing water changes, you'll know exactly how much salt to add for when your water is at temp to arrive at 1.024-1.025

Tspors58 · 07/22/2016, 04:15 PM

Mix water & salt in tank
Then remove water as you add rock display save water removed for first water change.
Then dump sand in.
The storm will settle.
Then have a drink.
Enjoy

Reef Frog · 07/22/2016, 09:50 PM

Add the salt to the RODI water, not the reverse. If you're doing this in the tank, it's best if no sand or rock is in the tank. Add it after the salt & water have thoroughly mixed.

Don't fill the tank to the rim with the salt water - be sure to leave room as the sand & rock will displace some water. You don't want an overflow!

finewayne · 07/22/2016, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tspors58

Mix water & salt in tank
Then remove water as you add rock display save water removed for first water change.
Then dump sand in.
The storm will settle.
Then have a drink.
Enjoy

the best method

gone fishin · 07/23/2016, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capsle

Hey Reefers,

So everything is now setup and I'm about to start my tank off. I plan on mixing the salt in the tank as it is empty at the moment. I am going for a deep sand bed 5"-6". I have about 120 lb of normal sand and 40 lb of live sand.

I know that my saltwater needs to be mixed before I add my live sand and live rock. My question is, can I put in my "normal" sand and then add RO/DI water and then my salt; or should I mix up my saltwater in the tank first and then add everything?

Does it make a difference if my "normal" sand is in contact with freshwater or not?

Thanks in advance,

Caps.

I would fill the tank about 1/2 to 3/4 full then add the salt slowly and circulate it around.

Once your happy with the salinity add in your rock.

The "normal sand" I will assume to be dry aragonite, if so no it does not matter if it is in contact with fresh water. I used dry aragonite in my tank and rinsed it with my garden hose with the sand in buckets. I drained as much water out as possible then into the tank the sand went.

Once everything is in, fill the tank the rest of the way up with some premixed water. Good luck just my 2 cents

Capsle · 07/23/2016, 02:23 PM

Thanks everyone for the info

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07/22/2016, 07:39 AM	#1
Capsle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 385	Question about start up Hey Reefers, So everything is now setup and I'm about to start my tank off. I plan on mixing the salt in the tank as it is empty at the moment. I am going for a deep sand bed 5"-6". I have about 120 lb of normal sand and 40 lb of live sand. I know that my saltwater needs to be mixed before I add my live sand and live rock. My question is, can I put in my "normal" sand and then add RO/DI water and then my salt; or should I mix up my saltwater in the tank first and then add everything? Does it make a difference if my "normal" sand is in contact with freshwater or not? Thanks in advance, Caps. __________________ Caps Current Tank Info: 65G DT with custom overflow, 35G custom sump, maxspect R420r 180w 15K, reef octopus classic 150 skimmer.

07/22/2016, 04:15 PM	#5
Tspors58 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Appleton, WI. Posts: 145	Mix water & salt in tank Then remove water as you add rock display save water removed for first water change. Then dump sand in. The storm will settle. Then have a drink. Enjoy __________________ Keep it simple. Take it slow. Long Term Hobby. Current Tank Info: 210g w/Eshopps RS-200 sump, Reef Octopus Classic 150 SSS, Inline Ocean Clear Filter, 2 Kessel 360W, Jebao DC-8000, & 2 Jebao WP40 Wavemakers

07/23/2016, 02:23 PM	#9
Capsle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 385	Thanks everyone for the info Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Caps Current Tank Info: 65G DT with custom overflow, 35G custom sump, maxspect R420r 180w 15K, reef octopus classic 150 skimmer.

07/22/2016, 08:09 AM	#2
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	mix salt with the water first, then add rock and sand.

07/22/2016, 09:50 PM	#6
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Add the salt to the RODI water, not the reverse. If you're doing this in the tank, it's best if no sand or rock is in the tank. Add it after the salt & water have thoroughly mixed. Don't fill the tank to the rim with the salt water - be sure to leave room as the sand & rock will displace some water. You don't want an overflow!