Initial Aquarium Fill up Question.

[sgallant04]

Hi, I’m looking to do an initial fill on my new 35 gallon aquarium, and I would like to pre-mix the saltwater for at least 24 hrs before I add it, but I’m need of a suitable container & extra pump to move the water from the mixing container into the aquarium.

Does anybody here in the forum have a container & pump used for this purpose that I could borrow?

I do have a 5 gallon bucket I’ll be using for aging saltwater & water changes but I’m afraid it will take a long time to fill up the aquarium 5 gallons at a time.

Thanks!
-Shawn G

 

[El Jefe9830]

Hmmmm.....Sorry man, I don't.

Good luck with the tank though.

 

[GreenUku]

What are you putting into the tank at the initial fill?

If it's just going to be empty (or sand), there's no reason to "age" the saltwater outside of the tank. Mixing the saltwater in the tank will be easier if you do it in the tank, since you won't wave to later pump it from the container to the tank...

Aging the saltwater for water changes on an established tank is a separate issue and probably worthwhile.

 

[sgallant04]

Oh, my understanding was w/ the live sand I'll be adding I would want the correct salinity to kick start that eco system.

 

[GreenUku]

It that case, I would suggest just mixing the water in the tank, letting it sit for a couple days, then adding the sand (and remove any excess water).

Generally, you should be able to get the correct salinity rather quickly. By letting the saltwater mix overnight or longer, you allow the pH and other parameters to stabilize.

As a side note, what is the source of the fresh water that you're going to use? Tap, distilled, RO, RO/DI, etc?

Good luck.

 

[reign]

I agree you are mixing the salt in like 20-30 minutes..You arent really putting anything "live" in there..The live sand is really enzymes not livestock...You do need to do this when Livestock is in there or you are performing a water change..

 

[GreenUku]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12267724#post12267724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reign
The live sand is really enzymes not livestock...

Well, the bagged live sand is just sand with lots of beneficial bacteria, etc. (supposedly). But if he's going with "real" live sand, it might have all sorts of critters.

 

[reign]

The bagged live sand is usually not beneficial bacteria since the only live nitrifying bacteria on the marked is Biospira and needs to be refrigerated!! Yes if he is going to use actual fiji or other local live sand then yes I agree completly!..Unfortunately about 97% of the live sand on the market is not really live all it is regular sand with little water and some (supposedly) live bacteria..

 

[rivoth]

You'll also need an initial ammonium source for the bacteria to feed on and start the cycle. The common recommendation is to put in a single cocktail shrimp in the tank and let it rot.

 

[thosefishguys]

If you can't borrow something, you may want to consider a couple of Rubbermaid plastic storage bins. The larger ones hold 10 or 15 gallons of water, and only cost $5-$6 dollars each at Walmart. I usually keep a few around for curing live rock, emergency holding tanks, etc.

Jason