Mixing first batch of saltwater in aquarium

[sooner_reefer]

Would it be possible to mix the first batch of saltwater in the aquarium with sand in it? I was thinking of getting black sand that I saw at Petsmart, so I'm guessing it's not live. Also I got some dried rock that I don't know if those will go in the sump or not, but those aren't live either. Since I don't have anything live, would that be fine?

 

[louti]

If there's nothing in the tank, it will be fine. However, I would mix the saltwater and then put in the sand and rocks. That way you'll be able to mix it without creating a sandstorm. Also, rinse the sand well before you put it in and it won't cloud your tank as badly.

 

[noah's nemo]

Originally Posted by louti
http:///forum/post/3133432
If there's nothing in the tank, it will be fine. However, I would mix the saltwater and then put in the sand and rocks. That way you'll be able to mix it without creating a sandstorm. Also, rinse the sand well before you put it in and it won't cloud your tank as badly.

......Really rinse the black sand well.It looks good in the tank(my old 75 had it),but rinse it very well.

 

[truperc]

Originally Posted by Sooner_Reefer
http:///forum/post/3133427
Would it be possible to mix the first batch of saltwater in the aquarium with sand in it?
Why?
I do not see an upside to this

 

[sooner_reefer]

I don't want to a garbage can sitting in the garage or my room of just water. I don't have a lot of space and have a mom who has OCD about clutter.

 

[louti]

Originally Posted by TruPerc
http:///forum/post/3133456
Why?
I do not see an upside to this

I assume he's referring to "with sand in it." There would be no point to putting the sand in first, it would just make a mess. BTW, sorry about your team. I would be pissed if my gators suffered those kind of injuries.

 

[sooner_reefer]

Originally Posted by louti
http:///forum/post/3133485
I assume he's referring to "with sand in it." There would be no point to putting the sand in first, it would just make a mess. BTW, sorry about your team. I would be pissed if my gators suffered those kind of injuries.
Haha I appreciate that. How do you add the stand without causing a stir with water in the aquarium?

 

[cranberry]

An upside? I would have had to fill and mix 25 separate 5 gallon buckets and pour them one buy one into the tank!!
I used tap water and a hose. Filled up the tank with water. I poured in the salt. Gave a little stir-stir and then turned on the tank's pumps. Next morning all was mixed.
Rinse your sand really really really well. I can't say that enough. I pour the sand down a tube that extends to the bottom of the tank.

 

[gwhunter]

Hey, Cran did you get my reply?

Matt

 

[sooner_reefer]

After you cycle the tank and go with a potential algae bloom, is it better to add the live rock after words to keep bad algae off the rocks?

 

[scsinet]

You can also avoid a lot of the cloudup when filling the tank by placing a dinner plate on the sand and pouring the water onto that.
I've done it before by putting in the sand and filling with freshwater using the above method. Then I put a couple of decent size pumps in there to keep the water moving well, and slowly added in salt until I was where I want to be.
Just make sure once you mix it, you give it a couple days then check your salinity again, because the sand can absorb fresh water, then as it gets replaced by saltwater, the freshwater is released. I expect this could cause a measurable salinity drop if you have enough sand.
Oh, and don't try this with live sand.

 

[sooner_reefer]

Originally Posted by SCSInet
http:///forum/post/3133700
You can also avoid a lot of the cloudup when filling the tank by placing a dinner plate on the sand and pouring the water onto that.
I've done it before by putting in the sand and filling with freshwater using the above method. Then I put a couple of decent size pumps in there to keep the water moving well, and slowly added in salt until I was where I want to be.
Just make sure once you mix it, you give it a couple days then check your salinity again, because the sand can absorb fresh water, then as it gets replaced by saltwater, the freshwater is released. I expect this could cause a measurable salinity drop if you have enough sand.
Oh, and don't try this with live sand.
Ok so wait a couple days for all the freshwater to get mixed in before testing? Also what do you do to start the system pumping with a sump? Do you put some water in the sump then start the pump and quickly add water to the DT to get the water above the line to get it going down the overflow?

 

[scsinet]

I would wait a couple days. Keep in mind the scenario I talked about with the sand absorbing some of the freshwater is entirely dependant on how much sand you have. In nearly EVERY case, the difference over a couple days is negligable, if it's measurable at all. Since you are starting a cycle, a little variance in the salinity won't matter much at first. If you are in a situation where you can double check, IMO it'd be worth it.
Do you have an HOB overflow or built in?
Basically, you put water into the tank until water enters the overflow. At that point you start your siphon up (the methods of which depend on what kind of overflow you have). Then you'll keep adding water to the main tank until the pump is submerged (again, assuming you have a submersible pump). Then you'll start the pump up, and keep adding water to the sump as the pump sucks air until you achieve a balance.

 

[sooner_reefer]

I haven't gotten the tank yet and I'm not exactly sure what's all coming with it. All I know is there's a 20gL sump, stand, 55g, and hood.

 

[scsinet]

I'd wait to see what you end up with, then post back so everyone is on the same page, and you can get more specific information.
Pics of the overflow would be very beneficial.

 

[sooner_reefer]

Originally Posted by SCSInet
http:///forum/post/3134114
I'd wait to see what you end up with, then post back so everyone is on the same page, and you can get more specific information.
Pics of the overflow would be very beneficial.
Alrighty I'll take lots of pics. I'll need A LOT of help setting up the plumbing. Also where does everybody find there retrofit lighting? I haven't found any on SWF.com or competitor sites

 

[scsinet]

You're not looking hard enough. Retro kits ARE out there.
I just did a quick search on google for "REtro Halide" and "Retro T5" and both searches returned several sites selling kits on the first page of results.

 

[sooner_reefer]

Ok would a 250w with reflectors be overkill on a 55g? Will it cause a lot of algae or would it be managable?

 

[scsinet]

I'd be more worried about the shadow that a single halide is going to produce when centered over the tank.
55g tanks have a center brace.
You really need two halides, not one, and 2x250w would be an awful lot of light.

 

[sooner_reefer]

Ok so I'm kind of confused on what all I need to set up the Retro Fit lighting.
Metal Hallides seem cheaper but I can't find 175w kits with 20K bulbs included. T5 would be easier I suppose but seem really expensive for 4 bulb kits that don't include the bulbs, reflectors, or fans.