How long for salt mix

[pavalons]

Just set up my first SW tank. It will be a 20 gal FOWLR. Added LS and filled with distilled water. Used IO salt and by their instruction 1/2 cup per gal. It took 16 gal to fill so I used 8 cups of IO. Stirred in salt and ran it overnight with 2 Penguin 660 powerheads.
Used Deep Six tester this afternoon and sg is only 1.018. I did season the tester as instructed. I don't want to add salt mix beyond what is required. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Paul

 

[javatech]

if your tank will be a fish only tank then it's fine if it's going to be a reef tank than add more salt.
that 1/2 cup per gal for IO salt will get you to were you are 1.018

 

[squidd]

As long as you are just starting to set up/cycle let it go for a day and check again tomorrow it takes a "little" while for salt to completely mix and stabilize the sg.
The 1/2cup/gal is an approximate mix and your hydrometer may be a tad off, so I wouldn't worry at this point.
I'd give it a few days to stabilize the temp. (what is your temp?), the salt to dissolve and the sand to settle. Then test again, you may have to add more salt and/or top off water.
Once the cycle is finished (ammonia and nitrItes 0) and you add fish you will want to be able to keep the sg stabilized.

 

[pavalons]

Temp is running between 78-80 right now. The tank got up to 82 this afternoon and I have got the heater unplugged! It's actually hard to keep it cooler in SW Florida today. I'll check the sg in the morning.
Thanks
Paul

 

[cprdnick]

You added the salt after you added the LS?:notsure: