Mixing Salt in the Tank for Initial Fill

[jadwv2210]

Is it advisable to mix your saltwater in the tank the first time you fill it?

I will be getting all of the things I need to start the cycle in my tank soon and I was wondering if it would be okay to put the dry rock and live sand in the tank, fill the tank with RO/DI freshwater, and then mix the salt in accordingly.

Since water changes will be about 5 gallons a week I would never need a large mixing container except when doing an emergency water change so I'd rather not buy one right away.

 

[Reflective]

I don't think you'd be able to mix and dissolve the salt efficiently enough without having to blow sand all over the place. I think a lot of it would settle in the sand and rock.
Brute trash cans from Home Depot are pretty cheap and great for mixing the salt in.

 

[jadwv2210]

I will definitely look into the trash cans. My problem with that is that I don't have a way to move a 50 gallon container of water from where it would be mixed to where the tank is lol.

 

[gcrawford]

Mix it in the tank to start. No problem.

 

[marine2463]

I mixed in my new tank works fine just add slowly [emoji16]

 

[ermartin]

unless im using live rock I always mix it right in the tank. I add the water first then add the salt with all of the pumps on

 

[Sabellafella]

I used reef rock first added ro , then mixed salt then put down live sand

 

[b4tn]

It took about a week but I filled the tank and sump with RO, mixed in the salt and let sit for a few days, added dry rock, added sand, then waited and changed filter socks till the water was clear.

 

[Justiful]

I will definitely look into the trash cans. My problem with that is that I don't have a way to move a 50 gallon container of water from where it would be mixed to where the tank is lol.

1. Get a trash can. Rubbermaid... 50 gallons. (about 15-25 dollars depending) I would get one with Wheels if I was you.

2. Get a Siphon... you use it to clean tank anyway and do water changes. It is needed equipment.
http://www.marineandreef.com/Aqueon...RES06089.htm?gclid=CN3M4dGsg8gCFYVefgodkdgLmg

3. Get an extra heater, or use your tank heater to warm the water to correct temperature.

4. Add everything to tank, then SLOWLY siphon water into it to prevent heavy clouding.

No heavy lifting. Other option is to siphon into 5g bucket and fill 1 at a time, then refill and do again.

IMPORTANT: If using live rock and sand your salinity will change when you add to tank. Have a few gallons of RO water to use for either raising or lowering as needed. After the water stops being cloudy.

 

[ATB USA]

I will definitely look into the trash cans. My problem with that is that I don't have a way to move a 50 gallon container of water from where it would be mixed to where the tank is lol.

If you get the nice rubber maid trash can, you can also but the wheels to go under it. Lowes sells both.
Saying that, I would mix it in the tank, but mix it before the sand and rock are added.

 

[jadwv2210]

I had thought about mixing 5 gallons at a time but worried that it would be difficult to match the salinity of each bucket properly. I will be making the water out in the garage so I have to go up a set of stairs in order to get to the tank. What I may do is what ATB USA said and mix the water in the empty tank, then siphon it out into a storage container, add my rock and sand, and then siphon the water back in.

 

[marine2463]

Why take it the water out ?

 

[joeyhatch11]

I added mine to the sump where I had an extra powerhead pushing 500gph. It made quick work of dissolving it. Once dissolved I turned on the skimmer.

 

[ATB USA]

I agree, why take the water out.
1. Fill with RODI water
2. Add powerhead and heater
3. Add the salt and get it to the proper reading
4. Add dry sand that has been rinsed
5. Add a couple of cups of live sand to seed the sand
6. Let tank sit for a few hours for the water to clear
7. Add rock and aquascape it the way you want it
8. Watch your pretty tank full of rock cycle for 6 weeks

 

[gcrawford]

Dump it all in at once, turn on the pumps, let it cycle. Don't overthink it....

 

[marissas47]

I also suggest mixing water and salt then adding sand (dumping through a pvc tube will help reduce cloudiness) and rock after the sand has settled