Dumb Question?

[vtec si]

I have done all the plumbing and have add my DSB. So can I just add RO water and fill up the tank or do I have to mix the salt water then add to the tank? Its been a long time since I have set up a new tank and I would rather mix the salt after the pumps are on!

Martin

[Reefland]

As long as you are not going to add any liverock for several days there is no problem with adding the water and then the salt once the tank is full and pumps are running. I would suggest that when adding the salt to the tank you pour it slowloy in front of a pump output to help keep any from settling and needing to dissolve. The reason I suggest waiting is even though LR will probably be used to cycle the tank, you should still age the new saltwater first to ensure correct temperature, salinity, and pH at a minimum.

[Ninong]

If you were setting up a bare bottom tank, then I wouldn't see any difference between pre-mixing the saltwater outside the tank or simply adding the water and then adding the salt mix. However, since your DSB is already in the tank, I think you should pre-mix the saltwater outside the tank before adding it. You don't have to wait for it to age or anything. You don't even have to worry about the temperature. In fact, you don't even have to be all that exact on the salinity. You can always check and adjust the salinity after the tank is full of saltwater.

I set up my tank with the 6" DSB and then added pre-mixed saltwater. I cycled the sandbed by itself first before adding any live rock. This turned out to be a bit more tedious than expected but that was because I was running the return pump through two Sea-swirls with too much force. I don't believe my Little Giant return pump can be safely dialed down like an Ampmaster, so I didn't try. Instead of dead shrimp, I used a small piece of saltwater trout that I borrowed from the freezer. It was completely consumed by bacteria within about three or four days. When I added my fully-cured live rock on the tenth day, the tank already had a thriving population of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria.

If you will be adding the live rock soon, you can skip the dead shrimp or dead fish step if you wish. I just wanted to get a head start. If possible, you want to start with as little water current as possible for the first few days to cut down on the sand storm effect.

[vtec si]

I will be using 100 gallons of water from my old system and 300lbs+ or - a few pounds also from my old 180 gallon that I have in a 150 gallon rubbermaid stock tank with my 4mdqx pumps and protien skimmer and lights all from old system.

Martin

[striper321]

quote....the only question that is dumb....is the one that isn't asked..........

[Poseidon]

Hey Martin, I mixed my water in my tank with a DSB, of course my tank was only 90 gallons. It doesn't sound like you are going to see much of a cycle using "old" water and fully cured LR. THough I agree with George that premixing would be ideal, I think a tank the size of yours would take a LOT longer to premix everything!