First Tank Setup - Mixing Saltwater In Tank?

[BigEZ77]

Hi All,

I've got a 45G AIO tank and roughly 45 gallons of RODI water in 5 gallon jugs that I picked up from the local supermarket. It would be far easier for me to mix salt water in the tank than to split it into separate bins and mix there. Also, I have two heaters but only one powerhead so far, so I could only mix in one container which would greatly slow down the process. Is it ok to start filling the tank and mixing in salt as I go? At the same time, will it be ok to turn on the pumps once full enough? Or is it better just to use the the powerhead?

On another note, I have about 40 lbs of live sand. It is going to hurt the sand if I lay it down first and add the RODI water 5G at a time with the necessary about of salt? Or is it better to wait until the water is mixed overnight, then add the sand somehow?

Thanks,

Russell

 

[BigEZ77]

PS. If mixing in the tank with sand is OK, was thinking of putting plastic bags over the sand while filling so the sand stays down, then pull them out at some point tomorrow. Good idea or no? Thx

 

[A.Astore]

I think you will end up with far less issues in terms of sand by putting it down first because then you only get one storm rather than two. If you put water in first you most likely have to get the sand spread out better once the initial cloud goes away.

From what I understand it is actually better to mix some salt in cooler water. What salt are you going to use?

Your sand should be fine even if the water is room temp when it goes in the tank, just make sure the water has some flow going.

 

[BigEZ77]

Thanks for the response A. I have Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. Is it ok to add live sand before the salt is properly mixed? Also, any idea if its ok to mix in the tank if its an AIO? Its a JBJ RL45 and the support there said its better to mix in a bucket and then add.

 

[BigEZ77]

...But, I'd rather not do that (not sure why JBJ says it should be that way) because I don't really have the tools to mix large amounts of water outside the tank. I'm good to do water changes, but not the whole 45G.

 

[Deleted member 336650]

Mixed mine in the tank. Let it run a day or so then added sand

 

[BigEZ77]

Thanks. I'm going to mix the water and salt in the tank today and add sand tomorrow. Any ideas on the best way to add sand once the water is in there to reduce cloudiness?

 

[JMorris271]

You are going to have cloudy for a little while but it will subside in a day or so
Be sure to wash your sand until the water runs clear or you really will have a storm.

 

[thegrun]

You need to mix the salt first before you add the live sand or rocks or you will kill anything that is alive in the sand and salt crystals will fall into the nooks and crannies of the sand and rock and not dissolve for a long time, making it difficult to stabilize the salinity.

 

[Deleted member 336650]

You are going to have cloudy for a little while but it will subside in a day or so
Be sure to wash your sand until the water runs clear or you really will have a storm.

If you have "live" sand, do NOT rinse it.

 

[BigEZ77]

Thanks for everyone's help. Just a quick update...

-I mixed the saltwater in the tank yesterday.

-Added sand last night...did not rinse since its live. Super cloudy, couldn't see anything in the tank.

-Left pumps and powerhead on overnight (just at the surface) creating a flow to the media baskets that came with the tank.

-Media baskets seem to be catching alot of junk, will dispose of them entirely once the water is totally clear again. Will be using skimmer and bio pellet reactor so don't see a need for the media baskets.

-Now, water is a little cloudy but can see all items in the tank...sand bed, pumps, powerhead.

Seems like we're off to the races and I'm off to the LFS to pick up some RealReef rock which I will add today. Can't wait to get my aquascape going. Thanks again everyone.