Im starting a new 160g reef tank. Can i please get help on what to do. I just got in my RO/DI From bulk reef supply and im using instant ocean reef salt. what is the process of adding salt? do i fill with water then add salt to the tank? i also have a 400w heater will that be enough to keep it heated. I have 4 amazon power heads and im going to pick up live rock and lighting in about 4 days.
HELP!!!!!!
- Thread starter AlexH1318
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mannysmusic
Community Member
Since you are just starting the tank it won't really matter in what you order you do this. If you have the 50 gallon bags of salt you could probably start by dumping in 3 of those first into the tank, then fill it up and test your salinity. I highly recommend getting a refractometer if you already don't have one. I would probably double up on the 400 watt heater, this way just one isn't working so hard to keep the temp steady.
I would use a container to mix the salt and leave it with a pump in it over night. The reason is so that you get used to doing it and the salt dissolves completely. Once you have living creatures in your tank you wouldn't want undissolved salt in it.
I have a 400w in a 75 so I'm assuming you need one more.
I have a 400w in a 75 so I'm assuming you need one more.
Mal11224
Valuable Member
Since you are just starting, make sure your tank doesn't not have any leaks. You can add the salt directly to the tank since there is nothing in it. Typical salinity measurements are about 1.5 lbs of salt per 5 gallons of water. Turn your powerhead on when adding the salt and let it circulate in the tank. Measure the salinity often.
I would add sand first, if you are using it as well as the rock. Both add volume to the tank and will affect the amount of salt needed. Plus it's easier. You don't want to set up a scape in a tank full of water. Your heater is fine. Not sure if you are using a sump but it will add to your total water volume.
You can start cycling your tank once you've done the above. There is a lot more to running a reef tank and I would suggest that while your tank is cycling, do as much research as you can. The tank will take several weeks to cycle. Be patient. Impatience leads to disaster and wasted money. Get yourself an ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kit as well. There are several methods to cycle a tank. You can find many options on R2R. Research, research and then research some more
. Happy reefing.
I would add sand first, if you are using it as well as the rock. Both add volume to the tank and will affect the amount of salt needed. Plus it's easier. You don't want to set up a scape in a tank full of water. Your heater is fine. Not sure if you are using a sump but it will add to your total water volume.
You can start cycling your tank once you've done the above. There is a lot more to running a reef tank and I would suggest that while your tank is cycling, do as much research as you can. The tank will take several weeks to cycle. Be patient. Impatience leads to disaster and wasted money. Get yourself an ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kit as well. There are several methods to cycle a tank. You can find many options on R2R. Research, research and then research some more
. Happy reefing.I have sand and some rock in the tank that have died off due to moving too fast. Should i tank it all out and start with nothing in the tank. also i have a refractometer and a 10 g sump which i added to the overall gallons of water so in total im guessing about 150 to 160. the guy i got it from said it was a 100g but i know i added way more than 100 of water to it when i started (leaks were crazy and i wasted about $90 in salt) so now im throwing another ball back at it. i also seen on and only quick cycle. Is this something that you all have used before or is it just a ticking time nuke for a reef tank. ( can i add salt with sand already on the bottom. or should i take that sand out and start bare bottom?)
