Age old question!!!

[panamaed117]

New tank is ready, I have Carib Live sand, RO water, and Fritz RPM salt.

What goes first? The internet has all kinds of theories and "best practices." So I am confused. Since I am new to the hobby, I don't have a container to hold 55 gallons of water, and do a salt mix for 12 hours.

 

[lapin]

Rock then sand then salt water

 

[panamaed117]

Would I mix the salt first with the RO water before going into the tank? Or add RO and then add the right amount of salt to the tank, let the pump and the wave maker mix it up for a day?

 

[smokin'reefer]

I have seen people mix in their tank.
I believe best practice would be to mix outside the then add to tank with sand already in place.
Although most of us use a 32 gallon brute can. They are about $30.
Another cheaper route would be to just use a $5 plastic tote. You can usually find about a 25 gallon to mix. Then just do a couple of batches assuming you are doing a 55 gallon setup.
Good luck and happy reefing.

 

[Billdogg]

^^^What they said^^^

Rocks/sand/(premixed)water. Put a saucer or plastic bowl on the sand to pour the water into so that you don't disturb it any more than necessary. Although you can add salt after you have the water in, it's the only time you can do it that way so you might as well get used to doing it correctly. I mix mine in a 55g plastic barrel