Maybe a dumb Question

So we have the tank placed where we want it. We are going to be doing the leak test this weekend after we finish up the pluming. My question is- once the tank is full for the leak test, can I just mix the salt in the tank? would it be okay to add the live rock and sand after the water and salt have mixed? the reason I ask about the sand is because I have live sand as well... thanks for any imput!!! As well here is a picture of the set up!

 

I would not see why not. You will need to drain a little water out to make room for rock and sand. If not ro water treat water first. If water is in tank I would use a 4 inch in dia plastic pipe and slide sand to the bottom. after it settles move the sand were you want rock place rock move sand back. Have Fun. Oh yea I had everything in my tank added my water no leaks turned on power heads and heaters added salt and we had soup.

 

Yup, that's what I did. As said before, just know that you're going to need to remove water as you add rock and sand. Also, I'd add the rock first, so you dont need to worry about anything moving the sand and making the rock structure unsteady.

BTW, the tank, stand and hood look good!

 

Looks great! Great idea! OH!

 

Thanks! I put it in our Media room, havent gotten the lights yet either, cant decide- I think we may be going with the LED but haven't completely decided... any recommendations on the Lighting?

 

"Looks great! Great idea! OH!"

Io!!! Haha!

 

As long as the water is RO/DI that you are testing with. I tested my tank with tap water, so I had to drain it after the test.

 

I've done it both ways and found mixing salt (not completely dissolve but enough to get it mixed) in 5ga. containers and then adding it is easier and more accurate. Doing in a big batch was a pain for me and I wasn't as accurate on the salinity. Looks like a nice tank can't wait to see it in action.

 

Ya, I would also recommend underestimating salt as you add it, if you add it directly to the tank. It'd be easier to add salt to raise salinity than add water to lower it (on an already full tank atleast)

 

i would fill it to test for leaks then drain it. Then I would mix your water seperately in 5 gallon buckets, thats really the only way to keep the salinity right. what would be ideal is if you had a large container or food grade plastic tub. then you could mix up 40-50 gallons of saltwater, then stick a powerhead in there for 24 hours and just let it mix and desolve completely.