Adding water to a new tank

J

JumboAg99

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[Well, I did a freshwater test on the new tank and it had no leaks. (I had to use a Mag 7 for the return b/c my 9.5 hasn't arrived yet, but w/o it being split to a refugium it kept up just fine.) I was primarily testing the bulkheads and closed loop.

I've drained the tank back down and it's dried back out now. (Pythons are a convenient tool.)

Here's my question: When I do add RO/DI water when it's time to fill it up permanently, should I mix the water + salt first and then add to the tank, or fill it and THEN add the salt - letting the pumps and drain mix everything.

The tank will be (at least partially) filled before I add any LR/LS to it. I'm just trying to make it as simple as possible.

I'm going to borrow a few 5 gallon containers for a few days to make extra RO/DI water so I can fill most of it in one day.

A related question - What's the best way to mix salt and water? I just added salt to a 5 gallon container and shook it up several times. Should I instead put a airstone in after I mix it up for a few hours?]
 
[I always make my saltwater in a container. In your situation, you need to make it in some clean new trashcans that have been rinsed out. They run $7 each at Home Depot, and hold 30g each. Using a Mag pump, you can mix up the saltwater in the trashscan thoroughly. Once mixed, you could use a powerhead to keep it circulating, and a heater to get it up to temp.

Fill up your tank with sand first. Cover it with a trashbag, then a giant serving platter, then a bowl. Add the water to the tank in the bowl (pumping it with the Mag pump is easier) until the tank is half full. Then remove the plastic, platter and bowl and add your LR. Top off the water gently, by pumping it into a pitcher to avoid blasting your sand.

Turn on your filtration (sump) and be sure your heater is plugged in since we are in the cooler season. Turn on your skimmer and be observant for the following few days to make small adjustments.]
 
[You can also use a felt bag off your return line in your sump to pull excess silt out after the water has stired up your sand some. It will happen.... Dont worry about carbon or anything like that til after you start your cycle.

Are you starting off with fresh live rock. Or are you seeding froma existing tank?

NAthan]
 
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