Brand new to the hobby and need advice - 75 gal

What I've done for a friend was add all rock,add water then sand. Perfect outcome..

 

At what point did you mix in your salt? Before filling the DT? Before adding sand? After everything was in the tank as a last step?

 

I had all my rock and sand in my tank before I added salt. I also added the salt in the return section of my sump so that the pump would help mix it in.

 

Are the salt crystals not bad for the pump?

 

as long as its not clumped together, the salt wont do much, youll see itll settle to the bottom in like 2 seconds.. and lay there, then you turn the pump on to aggatate the water, and itll dissolve. no harm ;D

 

What is a good test kit? I've seen the Instant Ocean and the API SW kits, but I wanted to get some recommendations first. I know I'll probably need a hydrometer or a refractometer also, but is there anything else?

 

Api and refractometer.

 

So API test kits it is.

I use a refractometer at work all the time to measure the coolant level in our CNC machines. They are pretty cool.

I'm going to get salt tomorrow. I think I'm going with Instant Ocean brand. I'm not 100% on it though, is there any that should be stayed away from?

 

Thats fine if FOWLR. I use a Red Sea brand salt. Its up to your discretion with FOWLR.

 

I ended up with the Red Sea brand as well for my FOWLR. You will be just fine with the Instant Ocean many people use that.