I'm Back and I Still Need Help

[Random Aquarist]

Well, after taking a break from the hobby, I'm back, and I still haven't set up my tank. I'm trying to get my cousin to help me out, but he pretty much runs on his own schedule, so it's kinda difficult. Anyway, so far I have my plumbing all setup, except for my skimmer. All I need to do is put my LR and sand in and add water. My biggest problem is water. I have salt, but I don't know how to calibrate my refractometer, and I don't know how to make saltwater. I know you need to cure it, but how? Can I do it in my tank/sump?

 

[specialkb]

Put some tap water on the refractometer and make sure it reads 0. if not adjust till reads 0. As for mixing up salt get you a brute trash can or a nice clean container of sort, and pump put your water in it, and slowly add salt and read till you have the SG your looking for. 1.025 what most people shoot for.

 

[SaltyDr]

You don't need to cure your saltwater. Just mix it up the day before you need and and make sure the SG is where you want it (1.025-1.026) and the temp is similar to your tank. Unimportant for your first fill

 

[Random Aquarist]

So I can mix the saltwater in my tank?

 

[CompNrdCR]

I would make it in batches... If possible... Why?

When you fill up your tank with sand and rocks you will need to take out water because it will displace the water... My 50 Gal tank only really has 38 Gal of water...

 

[ZooZ]

you could mix in your tank but your substrate might start flying around in the water too if the flow is too much. How long you should be mixing it before put into use is something im not sure of tho because i buy my RO saltwater from my LFS.

 

[Random Aquarist]

I'm thinking about mixing the water in my tank and letting it cycle. Then remove some and put in the LR and sand.

 

[specialkb]

Thats what i did on my first mix.

 

[geo]

When setting up the aquarium for the first time you can mix the salt with RO water right in the tank. Once you have any type of livestock you will need to mix water in a container and add it to the aquarium when doing water changes. Top off for evaporation with RO water (not salt water).

 

[jaymz101]

Thats what I did too. If you have a sump the overflow will go there. Just make certain you have room for it.

 

[Sk8r]

Go to Lowes, get either a Rubbermaid Brute trash can or a white polystyrene paint bucket---use a small maxijet to mix salt in, and to lift water to your tank.

The ordinary rule is 1/2 cup reef salt [precise] per half gallon [precise] of ro/di water will yield a reading of 1.025, right on the money for a salt tank.

Your lfs should be able to calibrate that for you.