filling the tank

I domt have a 50 gallon drum to mix the water in so can i add the water and salt to the tank and mix it in there without my live sand eingg affected or will i have to add the sand after and let it all settle

 

dont matter either way. unless your "live sand" was shipped to you, or picked up in water its not "live" most likely it is just argonite sand that will become "live sand" over time. SO just put the sand in, fill it letting the water dump into a bowl or something so it does not just splash all the sand around to avoid some clouding, then turn on your power heads and slowly add salt.

 

the bag of sand from my LFS says live sand on it and the bag has water inside is that actual live sand or just th aragonite you were talking about

 

Ok if it has water in it then yes there is live bacteria in there so do not put it in with fresh water, only pre mixed water. so add the water and salt first and mix it up, then add sand. Or add sand then mix water in a 5 gal bucket, this will take a while tho.

 

mix the water and salt in the tank first and let it mix over night then slowly add the sand using a bowl. you can place rock first.

 

Ok cool soumds good

 

You don't have an extra garbage can? not a bad idea to have one around just for the tank. Super handy!

 

Nope no extra garbage can but i guess it cant kill me to get 1 lol

 

Home Depot had 20 gallon brutes with lids on sale for 20 bux. I use to for water changes. and 5 gallon buckets for anything else. never bad to have 1 too many water containers in this hobby.

 

How much water should be changed at each water change