New 65g reef, questions

Hoping to begin setup of mew reef ready 65 g aquarium. Not sure in lighting yet, but that can wait while it is cycling.

Questions.
1) salt suggestions?
2) after I make RODI then add salt, do I need to wait 24 hours with the water circulating. or can i justbdo that in the aquarium since the tank will not have any fish or coral just dead and live rock and sand.
3) for making water ill buy a 35 gallon can from lowes, what do I need to do to prepare that can? Hoping to convince LFS to give me deal on water so I don't have to make that many gallons.

 

Hi spardoin

1- Reef Crystals, Instant Ocean, Red Sea Coral pro, and many other brands, all have their fans

2 - yes mixing the initial salt water in the aquarium, before adding any live stock, including live rock andlive sand, should you be having either, is OK IMHO , I have mixed enough to fill 3/4 of the tank, then added rock, and sand, and then mixed balance to fill aquarium in a large bucket, before adding to top off

3- if its as food grade plastic type can, just a rinse to clean off any oils etc used in production is sufficient IME if its squeeky when you rub your fingers over it rather than slippery, as it might be if oils where present, then your good to go, hot water may be helpful, as might a rinse with diluted vinegar, if you cannot get the squeeky clean from the rinse



Steve

 

If you are doing a FOWLR, or even soft coral tank, I would just use Instant Ocean. If you are going to have a lot of LPS & SPS, move up to something like Reef Crystals with higher calc, alk, & mag.

As far as mixing in the tank, I think the only issue is it not fully mixing due to the rocks and sand. I could be wrong here but I think it would be difficult to get the salt to fully mix, as some will get trapped in the sand and/or rocks. I personally would not risk it. Instead, it would be better (IMO) to leave the tank completely empty, fill it up 3/4 (leave room for sand and rocks after), mix the salt, then add sand and rocks. This is what I did for mine. Make sure you rinse your sand thoroughly unless you bought a pre-rinsed sand.