mixing saltwater

[rbarb1111]

I am in the process of setting up my new tank and am wondering if I should fill the tank with water and then mix the salt in the tank and then add sand. OR should i add the sand first and then mix the saltwater in buckets and add to the tank. Any instructions would be helpful as you can see i am new at this.

thanks

 

[reefrunner69]

The best way is to add water, add salt, allow to mix for 24 hrs, then add cured sand. Cure it seperately in a couple of buckets or tubs with a dead shrimp. This will cause much less of a cloud/sand storm when it is added to the tank.

 

[Anemoneman]

should fill the tank with water and then mix the salt in the tank and then add sand.

Yes

should i add the sand first and then mix the saltwater in buckets and add to the tank

No. The sand will contain water that is a lower salinity that the rest of the tank.

 

[rbarb1111]

when you say cure the sand do you mean to cover it with saltwater and add a dead shrimp or just a dead shrimp? for how long ? Is there a trick not to cause a clould

thanks

 

[reefrunner69]

Add water and a dead shrimp. Beware...it stinks, do this in the garage or someplace out of the way.

 

[reefrunner69]

http://www.reef-aquarium.net/resources/rocksubstrate/curingaragonite.html

Try that, it should help

 

[XXFirefighter]

Here's what I did...
Empty 55 gallon tank...
Sterlite 45 gallon container filled with RO water from my culligan drinking water system. Took 3 days or so to fill running 24/7.
Added salt with 1 powerhead to mix it with a heater. Had water in the container for approx 1 month due to classes delaying rock shipment.
Day rock and sand came...
Added all base rock...
got a big serving spoon and added in the sand between the rocks...
Dumped in the rest of the sand....
Added keys rock to top of base rock...
attached 1/2 inch hose to powerhead and pumped in the water... making sure to hit the rock and not the sand. As the water got deeper I moved the sand to the proper places and blew off the rock. Added heater and powerheads...
DONE !