IF IT WHERE ME I WOULD PUT THE WATER IN THE TANK AND THEN PUT THE SALT IN TURN THE FILTERON SO THAT THE SALT DESINAGRATES. THE PUT THE SAND IN AND LR.BE CAREFULL WITH THE USE OF TAP WATER IT HAS CLORINE IN IT I AM TOLD.AMQUEL WORKS GREAT TO DECLORINATE THE WATER. BE CAREFUL THAT YOUR ALGE LEVEL...