salt

[regina]

i have a new empty tank . im ready to add the aragonite sugar sized sand , salt & water which is the best way to do this in what order. thanks

 

[bang guy]

Welcome Regina!!!!! :jumping: :cheer: :jumping:
There's a slight advantage to mixing the salt with water (1/2 cup per gallon) in a bucket and pouring the water into the tank. Then adding the sand last.
Most people will add the sand first so it clouds less.

 

[cordell]

I must have missed something.. I put my 120lb aragonite sand in my 75 gallon.. I'm not sure how many gallons of space this took up, but just to be on the same side, I started out assuming there was 50g of water in there (I could increase salinity later). So 50g water = 25cups ? I put 25cups of salt in there yesterday, and it has been mixing over a day now with 4 ph's, and the salinity is off the chart of the hydrometer.. what's up? How could it be so high?

 

[maverick005]

i just looked in my "conciencious marine aquarist" and on page 94 it says "synthetic salt mix is added at the rate of 2 cups per 5 gallons of fresh water."
HTH

 

[karajay]

What brand of salt are you using?
Instant Ocean should be correct at 1/2 cup per gallon.
What type of hydrometer are you using? Any chance that it could be giving you a false reading?

 

[cordell]

I'm using Reef Crystals. I just got a cheap hydrometer, the SeaWorld one by Aquatic Systems.. cheap, I know, but all I can get for right now. I wonder if ***** could test it for me? I think the meter actually says 1.030 or just a tad higher.. but I still don't see how the meter could be that far off, or how my salinity could be near that high. There should be more than 50gallons of water in a 75g with 120lb aragonite sand? I put only enough salt in for 50g water. Oh and the bucket of reef crystals says to use the 1/2cup per gallon also.

 

[karajay]

What is the temperature of your water?
Also, are you sure you are not getting air bubbles in your hydrometer?

 

[cordell]

the temp is 80degrees... and I made sure that I wasn't getting any bubbles.. when I did, I could tap them off. It says it compensates for temp, but I dout very well.

 

[karajay]

:notsure:
Well, I'm stumped. I would try to get someone to double check it, and see if it still looks the same tomorrow.

 

[cordell]

ya think ***** will do a salinity test? The water is still real cloudy, but I would think the salt has diluted good by now huh? It's probably just this cheap hydrometer. Will get refractometer some time soon! thanks for the help

 

[karajay]

Originally posted by cordell
The water is still real cloudy, but I would think the salt has diluted good by now huh?
Ahhh! Did you recently add new sand? A hydrometer will measure your gravity, which I'm sure is probably way off if there are fine sand particles that have not yet settled. In that case, I would tone down the circulation and let it clear up first.
Sorry I did not notice or think of that earlier

 

[cordell]

yep, well just put 120lb sand in (aragonite) and then added water.. water was clear until I added the salt. Should I turn off the 4 pumps overnight?

 

[karajay]

If sand and water are the only things in your tank, then yes, I would shut the powerheads right off.

 

[cordell]

ok thanks, got em unplugged.. will see what it looks like in the morning.
cordell

 

[cordell]

it's still very cloudy, about the same as before. I guess I shouldn't expect it to clear up much more until I get the skimmer going on it? I don't have a HOB filter, should I?
thanks
cordell

 

[mr. tuna]

i agree with half a cup per gallon, but make sure that the salinity would end up to be 1.023 to 1.026

 

[karajay]

You will just need to give it time to settle. Trying to filter it usually winds up just clogging your filter. Also, the fine particles that are making it cloudy will be getting weighed down with beneficial bacteria. That's good. If you started with dry sand it may take a few days. Hang in there, it'll get better.

 

[cordell]

I dout there is any bacteria in there yet.. I havn't added anything that should get it going. I was going to wait until I get my sump and skimmer going first. Is this the best way? I just really don't feel like it is the sand causing the problem, because the water was clear before I added the salt, and I don't think I stirred the sand up while adding the salt. Anyways, I'll just let it sit and see what happens. Gonna order lifereef overflow and mag9, should go good for my tank, ya think? Skimmer should be in any day now, and the light bulbs should too. Do you think it would be ok if I added a few peices of live rock now to get the cycle going? or should I wait until I get the sump crankin and the skimmer, and the lights? I was thinking the LR might help clear it up.
another long post.. sorry sorry
cordell

 

[jerseysaltwater]

i use IO also, but i've found that 2 cups per 5 gallons gives me about 1.023 - always easier to add more salt than remove it / dilute it. always start to the low end and add as needed.

 

[cordell]

I guess instead of 25cups, might have been better off with 20 to start.. will keep that in mind next time. thanks