mixing my salt

[fgcu14]

I will be able to finaly set up my 46 gal in a few days I was thinking about the easiest way to mix my saltwater.
I was thinking of putting my fresh RO water in the tank start my skimmer, wet/dry, heater, ect. Placing a powerhead at the bottom of the tank, turn it on, and then add salt. I would let the power head mix the salt for me.
How does this sound to everyone? Good I hope, I dont look forward to mixing salt 5 gallons at a time.
Quick replies would be good since i have 3 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hot883]

You need sand and rock in your tank first. I would buy a rubbermaid like container and use it. Mine holds 14 gallons. I wrapped duct tape around the sides to help it keep it's shape and I leave it going 24/7. When ever I need fresh saltwater, it's ready, temp, s.g. everything because I have a power heads and a heater in it.

 

[fgcu14]

why would it be nessisary to have rock and sand in it immediatly? I realize i would not be starting my cycle in my previously posted method, so would LR and sand still be nessisary?

 

[hot883]

Originally Posted by fgcu14
why would it be nessisary to have rock and sand in it immediatly? I realize i would not be starting my cycle in my previously posted method, so would LR and sand still be nessisary?
That did sound weird. It is easier to place live rock in, then sand around the rock then fill the tank. If you fill the tank first you can't fill it up all the way because of displacement when you go to put the rock and sand in. Plus the dust storm, AAAAAAAHHHHHH

 

[fish911]

I would have thought that you should put the lr and live and in AFTER the salt .. or what would be the point of me paying 100$ for 2 lil bags of live sand when the fresh water would kill everything????
and I did read a thread on here by a moderator ( chk the FAQs section I believe)
and they adv .. as the first time only you can put the water in .. then add the salt .. which is what I did and was very convenient ... my salinity is perfect with my refractometer
you should be fine to add the water and then the salt

 

[fish911]

as for displacement .. i was sure to leave about 6" or more and then add the LS and LR after the salt was added... then I only had to "pre-mix" a 1 and a half more buckets.. which is better than the whole tank
also .. because my LS was in seawater already..it was not very cloudy ... and cleared over night with the filter on
i can assure you i did a lot of research before taking these steps

 

[fgcu14]

thanks for all the advice. As to the power head, I have a rio 600. will that be enough to disolve the salt without developing a layer of salt at the bottom?

 

[hot883]

Originally Posted by Fish911
I would have thought that you should put the lr and live and in AFTER the salt .. or what would be the point of me paying 100$ for 2 lil bags of live sand when the fresh water would kill everything????
and I did read a thread on here by a moderator ( chk the FAQs section I believe)
and they adv .. as the first time only you can put the water in .. then add the salt .. which is what I did and was very convenient ... my salinity is perfect with my refractometer
you should be fine to add the water and then the salt
NOT FW , SW. Add the MIXED sw NOT FRESH! Where did you get that?

 

[sharkbait9]

Originally Posted by Fish911
I would have thought that you should put the lr and live and in AFTER the salt .. or what would be the point of me paying 100$ for 2 lil bags of live sand when the fresh water would kill everything????
and I did read a thread on here by a moderator ( chk the FAQs section I believe)
and they adv .. as the first time only you can put the water in .. then add the salt .. which is what I did and was very convenient ... my salinity is perfect with my refractometer
you should be fine to add the water and then the salt
OMG :scared: Who has lead this naive saltwater youth wrong.
Mix salt crystals and RO/DI water in a separate container let it mix for couple of minutes till all salt particles are dissolved then drain into the tank. Right before you fill with your first mixture of saltwater place sand and rock in tank then dump your mixed water. For sure you would have killed everything in/on the rock and in the sand if you had dumped fresh into/on rock and live sand.

 

[fgcu14]

i think people were saying it was ok for me to mix my salt in my tank and once salinity is established then place the sand and rock into the tank. That soundsflawless to me but of coarse im still a newbee

 

[fish911]

As for salt collecting on the bottom .... i stirred it with a plastic spatula and spoon.. with the filter on ... and made sure it was all dissolved

 

[fish911]

Originally Posted by hot883
NOT FW , SW. Add the MIXED sw NOT FRESH! Where did you get that?

sorry about the miscommunication about the FW vs SW
and i got my live argonate LS from my local LFS ... in Ontario

 

[dogstar]

Originally Posted by fgcu14
I was thinking of putting my fresh RO water in the tank start my skimmer, wet/dry, heater, ect. Placing a powerhead at the bottom of the tank, turn it on, and then add salt. I would let the power head mix the salt for me.
This sounds fine.

 

[fgcu14]

ok great! I was dreading mixing the water 5 gallons at a time

 

[fish911]

once again.. i second that

 

[dogstar]

Originally Posted by fgcu14
ok great! I was dreading mixing the water 5 gallons at a time
After or dureing cycle and as long as you keep the tank up you will have to do it in seperater containers when and if you do waterchanges....

 

[fgcu14]

of coarse. I just did not want to mix 55 gallons of water in a bucket. When it comes time to do water changes i realize that i will have to do it in a seprate container. thanks again for all the replies.