Getting New water in a tank?

trotsky123

trotsky123

Member
hi, could you pls advise how I can collect RO water in my 16 gallon tank?
It's an EMPTY tank. RO can only produce a limited amount (prob 5 gallons).
Do I just pour 5 gallons, then wait for whatever time, add 5 more, and then add 5 more?
The water won't go bad?
Also, should I add salt before I add sand and decor? I got very different answers on research. One said, add sand, then water and mix, other said, first water, then sand.......
THANK YOU
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Hi,
Get yourself a nice big plastic garbage can and mark it FISH ONLY. You will use the can each time you do water changes too. Your RO water won't go bad...just add water as it accumulates. Count your jugs as you put them in the container, this will help you decide on a start point to add salt. (For example: 1/2 cup per gallon)
Tip: Try to not let the salt fall to the bottom of the container, stir the water as you add the salt.
Use a power head to churn the new saltwater for 24 hours before you use it.
Have your water mixed before you do anything. Fill you tank half way. Add rock and arrange it and then add your sand, so the rock is first on the glass and THEN the sand. Sand shifts so you don't want to build your rock on the sand.
Once all is set and your happy with the rock...fill the tank, add your power heads and filter.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trotsky123 http:///forum/thread/381811/getting-new-water-in-a-tank#post_3328313
So I shouldn't mix directly in the empty tank?
For the very first time you can ...but then you will have to remove half to be able to work on the tank anyway. You wll need the big can later. My method is really the easiest way. That power had you use to churn things ..you can attach a hose to it to pump water to the tank and also keep it to remove water for water changes as well.
So the big plastic container, the power head and a nice piece of hose becomes a part of your fish stuff you use regularly.
 
trotsky123

trotsky123

Member
Not per day, but at any given time, it's whatever whatever accumulates in that RO container.
Then it goes through the process - but not sure how long
 
trotsky123

trotsky123

Member
Flower, THANK YOU very much.
So, should I mix 1/2 in the tank, 1/2 in a bucket.
Then wait for 1 day, set my sand/decor, and then dump the rest to the tank? Do I get it right?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trotsky123 http:///forum/thread/381811/getting-new-water-in-a-tank#post_3328316
Flower, THANK YOU very much.
So, should I mix 1/2 in the tank, 1/2 in a bucket.
Then wait for 1 day, set my sand/decor, and then dump the rest to the tank? Do I get it right?
My little wavey hand is gone??? I have no icons at all.
Anyway, do you have something against mixing in a tub? To make half in the tank and half in the tub would mean you need two power heads to churn your new salt mixture, one for the tank and another for what is in the tub. IMO too much work.
You will need a tub larger than your fish tank can hold anyway. Mix your saltwaterin there, churn it and after 24 hours use it. For the onset put half of the ready saltwater into your tank...add your rocks and set them the way you like, then add your sand and then fill the tank the rest of the way. Add your power heads, heater and filter and then wait for the cycle.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Put in all of your sand THEN PUT SOME newspaper over the sand then slowly pour your water in, remove paper and add your rock
 
trotsky123

trotsky123

Member
The only reason I was asking is that in the future I won't need to change the water in the entirety and I have a bucket for 30%.
So that means I need to buy a new big bucket just to mix water for one time and then put into an empty tank???
I think I should just mix it in the tank and then remove 1/2 out and then pour back in - no? It seems easier if you have hoses????
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trotsky123 http:///forum/thread/381811/getting-new-water-in-a-tank#post_3328381
The only reason I was asking is that in the future I won't need to change the water in the entirety and I have a bucket for 30%.
So that means I need to buy a new big bucket just to mix water for one time and then put into an empty tank???
I think I should just mix it in the tank and then remove 1/2 out and then pour back in - no? It seems easier if you have hoses????
(found my smile)
You should have a container large enought to hold all of your water. It is part of your saltwater equipment. You never know when a leak, or other emergancy will occur. A 20g plastic garbage can will run you $10.00 to $12.00 a hose will run you about $8.00..concidering the amount of money you put into a saltwater tank, that is just pennies...and worth every cent. Believe me you will use it more than once, it will be handy for many things.
 
trotsky123

trotsky123

Member
Got it! Will buy that today and mix the water in the bucket. Let it sit for a day w/ powerhead to dissolve.
Then add 1/2 tank, add sand, decor, then remaining 1/2 tank and let it run.
If I messed it up again, let me know.
Thank you
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/381811/getting-new-water-in-a-tank#post_3328398
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trotsky123 http:///forum/thread/381811/getting-new-water-in-a-tank#post_3328396
Got it! Will buy that today and mix the water in the bucket. Let it sit for a day w/ powerhead to dissolve.
Then add 1/2 tank, add sand, decor, then remaining 1/2 tank and let it run.
If I messed it up again, let me know.
Thank you

You are good to go...but remember live rock FIRST before the sand...Then POST pictures!
I don’t personally think you have to worry about undermining your rock with a tank your size which is why flower feels you must put your rock in before the sand
 
trotsky123

trotsky123

Member
Houston we have a problem. Not sure if I'm a gekk, but I am actually looking at internet printout and it tells me. Purify water, add salt, add sand, decor, let it settle, add liver rock.
That's what I did (withouth live rock now). Am I gonna have a problem?
Salt disolved - salinity at good level now. Was going to get a small piece of live rock - but after these posts, what do I do????
Also, one more concern on lights:

I read everywhere that for saltwater I need 50/50 bulb (for my 16 gal bowfront).
I bought the following:
Coral Sun
Acting 420
15 watts T8

The light looks blue (previous was very bright neon). Is this correct for fish only tank?
For some reason all professional stores didnt have 18 in bulbs and ***** just had these?
 
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