Mixing salt with live sand in tank

[Jaybeastin]

So I’m getting a Waterbox 90.3 in a few days because of Fedex being late per usual. Anyways, I don’t have a big enough brute to mix the RODI water and into the new tank all at once. Can I mix salt in the new tank with live sand? Or should I add the live sand after I mix the salt? Yes I can premix the salt first but it’ll take longer because I have to wait for the RODI. I’m too cheap after spending so much money for a bigger brute that I’ll use only one time lol

 

[Reeferjunkie]

You can just mix 5 to 10 gallons at a time in a bucket or tote with a powerhead to help mix it. Probably best to not mix with sand in the tank as it wouldn't mix well

 

[gbroadbridge]

RODI will kill the live sand (if there is anything still live in it).

You need to mix before adding to preserve anything beneficial.

edit: Or add the live sand later, which is what I did. Doesn't take long to clear.

Regards
Graham.

 

[Pistondog]

So I’m getting a Waterbox 90.3 in a few days because of Fedex being late per usual. Anyways, I don’t have a big enough brute to mix the RODI water and into the new tank all at once. Can I mix salt in the new tank with live sand? Or should I add the live sand after I mix the salt? I’m too cheap after spending so much money for a bigger brute that I’ll use only one time lol

1. Put the sand in.
2. Mix a batch of saltwater.
3. Put the saltwater in the tank
4. Is tank full ? Done . Else goto 2.

 

[Jaybeastin]

1. Put the sand in.
2. Mix a batch of saltwater.
3. Put the saltwater in the tank
4. Is tank full ? Done . Else goto 2.

The problem is , it will take a lifetime when waiting for the rodi water lol

 

[Jaybeastin]

Going to take forever to fill the tank up and that’s my problem. I have to wait for the RoDi and mix again . Have to repeat that long process a few time

You can just mix 5 to 10 gallons at a time in a bucket or tote with a powerhead to help mix it. Probably best to not mix with sand in the tank as it wouldn't mix well

 

[Jaybeastin]

RODI will kill the live sand (if there is anything still live in it).

You need to mix before adding to preserve anything beneficial.

edit: Or add the live sand later, which is what I did. Doesn't take long to clear.

Regards
Graham.

Yeah I might just do that since I have a lot of filter floss laying around

 

[Pistondog]

The problem is , it will take a lifetime when waiting for the rodi water lol

Ok. Then add sand after mixing saltwater in tank.

 

[Dburr1014]

So I’m getting a Waterbox 90.3 in a few days because of Fedex being late per usual. Anyways, I don’t have a big enough brute to mix the RODI water and into the new tank all at once. Can I mix salt in the new tank with live sand? Or should I add the live sand after I mix the salt? Yes I can premix the salt first but it’ll take longer because I have to wait for the RODI. I’m too cheap after spending so much money for a bigger brute that I’ll use only one time lol

Your going to have to rinse the sand really well if you don't want problems does the road anyway. Mix the salt then add the sand. If you rinsed the sand correctly there won't be any cloud.

 

[ninjamyst]

I am filling up my 200g now. I filled with RODI, then mix salt in tank, then add rock, then add sand. Rinse sand thoroughly. When mixing salt in tank, you need strong power head. Add salt slowly on top of power head. If you just dump salt in, it will just clump up in bottom of tank.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Yeah I might just do that since I have a lot of filter floss laying around

Just remember to leave room for the sand. You don't want to overflow the tank when you add the sand.

Also don't overshoot the salinity, it's a lot easier to add salt than to remove and throw away water

 

[gbroadbridge]

Your going to have to rinse the sand really well if you don't want problems does the road anyway. Mix the salt then add the sand. If you rinsed the sand correctly there won't be any cloud.

You don't rinse live wet sand, otherwise you are just throwing away what you paid for.

 

[workhz]

I added the sand to my 90 after I filled it with water and salt. It might cloud up but that’ll disappear.

 

[Jaybeastin]

Thanks everyone . I’ll just mix my salt in the tank and then add sand after

 

[Dburr1014]

You don't rinse live wet sand, otherwise you are just throwing away what you paid for.

All depends on how you look at it.

Rinse or don't rinse bagged live sand?

I must admit, I have never used this live sand in a bag before. I typically go with the dry sand but couldn't find any in stock in the size I wanted. Should i rinse it or not? Looking at the milky colored liquid inside the bag, I'm thinking that I should rinse it. What would you do? Here's a...

www.reef2reef.com

I would prefer to rinse to prevent problems down the road.

 

[Fredinva]

5 bags various live sand
1 bag crushed coral
only rinsed the crushed coral
crystal clear after 24 hrs!

 

[Cell]

You don't rinse live wet sand, otherwise you are just throwing away what you paid for.

Sure you do. It's not like there are real critters in those bags. Just bacteria which is unaffected by rinsing.

Rinse with tap until it runs clear then a final RODI rinse before adding to tank.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Sure you do. It's not like there are real critters in those bags. Just bacteria which is unaffected by rinsing.

Rinse with tap until it runs clear then a final RODI rinse before adding to tank.

Your tap water just killed the bacteria. Unless of course you have chlorine and chloramine free tap water.

 

[Cell]

Your tap water just killed the bacteria. Unless of course you have chlorine and chloramine free tap water.

I don't believe there's been any real studies on the presence and density of bacteria in bags of live sand or the effects of exposure to tap water for a limited amount of time but what we do know is that any bacteria present in the live sand is not needed in your tank.

 

[Fredinva]

There is NO Need to rinse live sand, as I stated above.
added 5 or 6 bags to my 125. (I ONLY rinsed the crushed coral)
Two HOB filters, lots of FLOSS.
24 hours, CRYSTAL CLEAR