What's the BIG Deal??

[RodneyC3]

I have just begun putting together my 90 gal tank (Build Thread here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2244022 ).

BUT the bigger question I have is why they say you shouldn't mix your salt into your water in the tank?

I was planning on getting my plumbing done soon and then a water test, when I thought why not just do the water test with my RO/DI water and if all is good, mix the salt in the tank and sump...

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Is there something absolutely wrong with this?

 

[JustinFromAL]

Are you going bare bottom? If not, I would be a little worried bout undisolved salt getting down in the sand bed.

 

[stiki21]

That's how I did it when i set mine up. Put the sand in, added rodi and powerheads, dumped in salt. There was a light film on the glass that was easy to wipe off. Other than that, no issues.

 

[hja99]

I filled my 90 with water, checked for leaks; checked the plumbing; added the salt; checked the salinity; then added the sand and rocks a day or two later.

 

[RodneyC3]

I filled my 90 with water, checked for leaks; checked the plumbing; added the salt; checked the salinity; then added the sand and rocks a day or two later.

This is what I was thinking about. Sand and rocks after, just pump out and save whatever saltwater is displaced.

 

[Patroklos]

If you are goingnto mix in your system do it in the return section of sump. Ifvany remains undisolved you will see it on the bare bottom and the trip through your return pump and plumbing shoul do most of the mixing.

 

[RodneyC3]

If you are goingnto mix in your system do it in the return section of sump. Ifvany remains undisolved you will see it on the bare bottom and the trip through your return pump and plumbing shoul do most of the mixing.

Makes sense

 

[mgrmax]

I've done it both ways with no noticeable difference once the tank was running for a few days.

 

[Steve Wright2]

+1 on it not being that important on a 1st set up

If it was a new set up
I would mix the salt with water in the tank and once fully dissolved, then I would add rocks, followed by sand bed bed etc

Steve

 

[kriv4o]

It would be a big real if you do that in a running system. It should be fine for initial set up. I'd do a tap water test first thou. That way you won't waste filtered water if you need to drain your tank to fix the plumbing.

 

[disc1]

You'll find that 99% of the people who have done it came out fine. But occasionally something goes wrong and you end up with white scale all over everything in your tank. It can become a nightmare to get it out. If you feel like taking your chances then go for it. You'll probably be fine. Slim chance it will turn into ten times as much work.

 

[disc1]

One thing that will help keep it from scaling up is to make sure your water is cold. Salt dissolves more slowly in cold water but calcium carbonate is much less likely to fall out of solution.

 

[markaren]

I , even with an admitted lack of experience can tell you that You may mix salt where ever you want too, even in your bath tub or sink or trash can...where ever. But, You will some day have a mix where the calcium will precipitate like snow. You will have to syphon the snow off the bottom of the tank. The only way.

 

[RodneyC3]

One thing that will help keep it from scaling up is to make sure your water is cold. Salt dissolves more slowly in cold water but calcium carbonate is much less likely to fall out of solution.

That's the kinda stuff I'm looking for! I had just plugged in my heater, really only because it had just come in and I wanted to play with it. But it is getting shut off right now. Should I mix like half of the salt, let it run for a day or so, and then the other half?? Or does that have anything to do with the scaling?

 

[disc1]

The slower you mix the better. That's always going to be the case. When I'm making up 25 gallons in a brute can I add the salt by the red solo cup full one at a time letting each dissolve before the next. For a whole tank you can surely go a bit faster than that. Keep adding in a high flow area and let it dissolve. Once it is dissolved you can add more.


I was thinking while I wrote that about the calcium thing with hot water. As evidence: Why do you always get the worst hard water clogs on the shower head but never in the ice-maker?

 

[RodneyC3]

Good point on the hard water... I'm sure CLR is no good for an aquarium :sad2: I think I am going to follow Patroklos's advice and pure it into my return section.

 

[gb530]

White on the glass is caused by adding too much salt to the tank to fast. Add it slowly and you will be good! That's how I did mine.... I think I did like 1 cup every 5-10 minutes, no residue at all. Good luck!

 

[RodneyC3]

Worker like a Charm! I used a 1 quart mixing cup and added about 2 quarts every 5-10 minutes. First couple of cups took a little longer but I decided to drop another pump into my return chamber just to get a little more circulation. Then it started mixing very quickly.