Adding salt directly into new tank & other ?'s

[JoeBel]

Round 17 of my noob questions, I just want all bases covered when my live rock comes.

These questions pertain to a brand new 55g FOWLR tank with no livestock

Can I add the water, dechlorinate, and add salt into the tank directly without pre-mixing? Will this cause any issues if I over/under salinate and have live sand or live rock in the tank?

Here's exactly what I'm planning to do:

- lay eggcrate
- add 60lbs of live Aragonite sand
- fill tank 1/2
- add live rock
- fill tank full
- add the salt
- test salinity & adjust if necessary
- add koralia pumps
- let tank cycle/cure & monitor params

Is this the best way to do this or am I making any blaring mistakes? I am trying to find distilled water for the initial fill up as it is an easy way to gauge my exact capacity when adding salt & of course better water.

Thanks, sorry for my numerous threads, just wanted to make sure to get some answers before the big day!

 

[nubz]

you need alot of flow to mix salt properly.... i would get some ten gallon containers and mix the salt for 24 hours at 90 degrees then cool it to 75 before you add it to yuor tank

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

If your just starting the tank you can fill it with freshwater, add the salt. make sure it's all saturated before you add anything.

Or you can do what Nubz said and pre-mix the salt.

Be aware after there are living things in the tank you can from there on never add salt directly into the tank. The only time you can do this would be a brand new tank with nothing in it.

Also, always add freshwater when replacing evaporated water. It's common sence that salt does not evaporate with the water but sometimes it passes your mind when you're just starting out.

If you're doing a water change add pre-mixed saltwater.

 

[zackxf]

If your just starting the tank you can fill it with freshwater, add the salt. make sure it's all saturated before you add anything.

Or you can do what Nubz said and pre-mix the salt.

Be aware after there are living things in the tank you can from there on never add salt directly into the tank. The only time you can do this would be a brand new tank with nothing in it.

Also, always add freshwater when replacing evaporated water. It's common sence that salt does not evaporate with the water but sometimes it passes your mind when you're just starting out.

If you're doing a water change add pre-mixed saltwater.

Just wondering, why is this?

 

[JoeBel]

Thanks guys & Otto ,yes, I will def be pre-mixing all my water when I do any water changes w/ buckets, powerhead, heater. I just wanted to make 100% on if it was ok or not to put the live rock or live sand in the tank prior to the salt mixing.

 

[TheCanuck]

-fill tank up
-declorinate
-mix salt
-make sure its tested at good salinity
-put sand
-put liverock
-dont turn on filters , **** sucks cleaning out sand filled filter pads etc.
just blow powerheads
-Bio Spira will cycle your tank in 1 hour then make it fish ready same day as tank clears!

 

[sostoudt]

Just wondering, why is this?

rapid fluctuations in salinity are not good for animals, it takes time for them to adapt to the osmotic pressure.

that being said ive done it before, the fish didnt seem to appreciate it tho

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

rapid fluctuations in salinity are not good for animals, it takes time for them to adapt to the osmotic pressure.

that being said ive done it before, the fish didnt seem to appreciate it tho

I also don't think salt granules passing through their gills is really safe if they happen to breath it in.

 

[Myteemouse]

-fill tank up
-declorinate
-mix salt
-make sure its tested at good salinity
-put sand
-put liverock
-dont turn on filters , **** sucks cleaning out sand filled filter pads etc.
just blow powerheads
-Bio Spira will cycle your tank in 1 hour then make it fish ready same day as tank clears!

This advice is flawed in a few ways..

If you are using tap water you shouldn't, y0u should use RODI water but if you are then declorinate..

If you "fill the tank"
Then put sand and rocks in it will overflow on to the floor.

You should always put rocks in BEFORE sand so they don't collapse later on with digging fish or flow.

Third,
A NATURAL cycle, can't be beat..
Trying to rush a nitrogen cycle is a recipe for trouble in the future..
You should dump ammonia in you're tank or a few dead shrimp or fish and let them rot.
If done correctly this cycle will only take 2-3 weeks..
Short time for long term tank happiness.
Not good advice I would give a first timer to set up his first saltwater tank. .

 

[08trdoffroad]

myteemouse has it right! Natural cycle is the way to go!

I cycled my 90 g in four weeks using the method myteemouse mentioned, never lost a fish or coral I put in it!