Advice on salt water mix for first cycle

[beginner_reefer]

New tank and have NEVER done this before! We have 35gallon trash cans we are filling up with RODI water to do our salt mix in to start the first cycle for our new tank. My question is, do we just add the salt after they are filled and how long can the mix sit in the trash cans before adding to the tank? Don't want it to get stagnant. Have NO CLUE how to do this! Any and all advice is appreciated!

 

[CrimsonTide]

Do you have a powerhead you can use to mix the salt in the container? That helps mix it up.

 

[beginner_reefer]

Do you have a powerhead you can use to mix the salt in the container? That helps mix it up.

I have a submersible pump that I can use to recirculate. Will that work?

 

[Jekyl]

I have a submersible pump that I can use to recirculate. Will that work?

Shouldn't be an issue. I always use a heater in mine also. Let it mix over night.

 

[Kershaw]

So I put a power head in trash can. And then do my salt calculation to figure out how many cups of salt to gallons of water.
then I put all the salt in a large plastic pitcher and pour in slowly. Then let it mix for 2-4 hours and put it in tank.

 

[theMeat]

Do you have a powerhead you can use to mix the salt in the container? That helps mix it up.

Yes and keeps it from getting stagnant.
Add salt, once clear it’s safe to use for livestock. You don’t have fish yet so it don’t matter. Getting water up to temp will help it mix faster.
Welcome to the hobby.
Some salts/brands mix up within an hour. Some take multiple hours

 

[beginner_reefer]

Shouldn't be an issue. I always use a heater in mine also. Let it mix over night.

Thank you! We do have some floating heaters as well. Will give this a try.

 

[beginner_reefer]

Yes and keeps it from getting stagnant.
Add salt, once clear it’s safe to use for livestock. You don’t have fish yet so it don’t matter. Getting water up to temp will help it mix faster.
Welcome to the hobby

Thank you!!

 

[00W]

What kind of salt are you using?

 

[Jekyl]

Thank you! We do have some floating heaters as well. Will give this a try.

I keep3 of the same heaters. 2 in my tank, 1 running 1 reserve. Third I use for water changes and for if the other 2 fail. Usually it's about half cup salt per gallon of water

 

[beginner_reefer]

Shouldn't be an issue. I always use a heater in mine also. Let it mix over ni

I keep3 of the same heaters. 2 in my tank, 1 running 1 reserve. Third I use for water changes and for if the other 2 fail. Usually it's about half cup salt per gallon of water

Thank you so much!!

 

[beginner_reefer]

What kind of salt are you using?

Instant ocean

 

[Jekyl]

Different salt mixes take longer than others. BRS did an investigates episode on them. General consensus is to just be safe and allow to mix over night.

 

[00W]

That's what I always use

 

[beginner_reefer]

Different salt mixes take longer than others. BRS did an investigates episode on them. General consensus is to just be safe and allow to mix over night.

So a submersible pump, heater and mix over night will work you think?

 

[Jekyl]

Do you have a refractometer? I wouldn't eye ball your salt mix.

 

[beginner_reefer]

Do you have a refractometer? I wouldn't eye ball your salt mix.

I do!

 

[beginner_reefer]

That's what I always use

 

[beginner_reefer]

AWESOME!!

 

[00W]

To start that is.
Is the tank empty? I assume it is.
Follow the instructions on the bag.
Use your refractometer.
IO is pretty indestructible. Mix it overnight for sure.
Great job using RO water to start.