making water

[clammer]

What would be the easiest way to fill a 120 with salt water? Should I make it in buckets or could I just fill the tank with RO/DI water and then add the salt? Nothing in tank yet.
Thought I could get it full and then just use the pumps to mix it. :help:
Clammer

 

[zanski]

doesnt your LFS have salt water already mixed to use? :notsure:

 

[moby]

Hey clammer,
There is no reason you can't mix your water in the tank while it is empty. I have done this several times, however there are a few pros and cons to doing this.
1st lets talk about the pros- Its easy, the need to bucket water is cancelled.
If the water is not "dead on" you can make adjustments by adding more salt or more RO water right into the tank. Also before you add the salt it is a great time to test all your plumbing for leaks and flow.
Cons- You have to be careful about the volumn of water you mix. This is due to the fact that when you add LR or sand it will displace the water and it is difficult to determine the amount of displacement due to the fact that the rock is very porous. Also it can be messy when adding the sand. When doing aquascaping you will get wet, and it is sometimes harder to put things exactly how or where you like.
There is no "rule" to mixing the water in an empty tank, it is really a preferrence. I have done it both ways and IMO water first is a good way to go. You just have to be happy with getting wet!
Moby

 

[theappe]

i dont see anything wrong with just throwing water in the tank and then add salt that is only if its brand new with nothing in it.

 

[pyro]

I'd mix up most of it in the tank - it's easy to do and very conveneint. Keep in mind the displacement from sand and rock. I'd also mix up a decent amount on the side to help cover the leftover space after adding the rock and sand.