Starting up questions!

[ShelbyJK500]

First of all...im ecstatic that i'm even at this stage finally. Two quick questions for you all.

1) Is it necessary to start up a tank cycle with RO water to mix with salt? Or can you use prime and let it run for a month?

2) from the first question...do I fill up the whole thing with freshwater first then mix in the salt...or is there any reason it has to be mixed first.

Keep in mind I've got nearly 550gal going into this. That's alot of RO and salt. Any tips/pointers for this much volume...especially to speed up the process? With RO water it'll take me a week of constant running to even fill up. Thanks!

 

[Wicked Color]

Just use prime.

 

[ruc_dog]

Hay everyone I have talked to says its important to mix first but I just ran my RO unit into my tank and let it fill that way it will take 2 days but it worked. Adding salt into the tank sucks but u can get it done. I'm about 2 weeks out but have live rocks in and a crab cruising around. I also got a older apex jr controller and it is a must for a tank that large.

 

[rangerbobb]

I just used prime and added salt once the water was in the tank. It made it way easier and worked out fine.

 

[that0neguy1126]

It's fine to mix it up the first time in the tank. I filled up mine which is similar in size and then added salt into the sump.
The reason you don't want to mix it in the tank is once their is livestock in the tank. Mixing salt in the tank, the particles can go everywhere, and mix unevenly, which causes salinity swings for a couple hours.

To start the cycle, I usually put in a dead shrimp or two for 24-48hours. This builds up ammonia, which kicks off the bacteria.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Thanks all...especially since I know a couple of you definitely have large tanks. I forgot to mention my tap water has horrible TDS readings...high 400's!! I'd love to just use prime...but not sure if I should with TDS that high?? Any input? Could that cause problems?? I have a ton of rock I've been seeding over a month (already growing coralline) and live sand so that should give me a boost.

 

[djkms]

Most of us literally spend thousands of dollars on our systems, why wouldn't you spend $200 on a ro/di unit? Don't put tap water into your system, you have no idea what's in the water and the effects it will have on your animals.

 

[Wicked Color]

I didnt know you had pre seeded rock. Tap water will kill all bacteria, algae, and all other life in a pre-seeded marine system, in this case I would use the filter and pre mix the SW.

 

[andyrm66]

Most of us literally spend thousands of dollars on our systems, why wouldn't you spend $200 on a ro/di unit? Don't put tap water into your system, you have no idea what's in the water and the effects it will have on your animals.

X2

You've spent this much time and money, what’s another week to do it right,rather than risk it and fight the shortcut for months or years? RODI, and Iwould mix saltwater outside the tank, though in the tank would work if you cankeep the flow up to avoid the calcium and alk from precipitating out of solution.I use prime but only in an emergency. If it were me, I'd make sure Im usingRODI and just wait the week, and mix in brute cans then add to the tank my$.02. Do it right the first time, why take a shorcut this close to the end.

 

[MattL]

I agree with Andy. We all want to rush to the end, but make sure you take your time because the hobby is all bout patience. If you get into the habit of rushing your success will be deminished (ie. acclimation, coral growth, infestations, ect). Getting off on the right foot is key for your tank and mind set. Nothing in this hobby is instant, unless you mess up!

 

[nadking]

That TDS seems really high. I lived in FOCO where it was about 30-50 but here in SE Denver its about 200-250. If you are going to spend the $ for an RO you might as well be patient and fill it up. Filling the tank with tap and then using RO for water changes would be a waste IMO. I had a 210 and for my first mix I added the salt directly to the tank water. I had no harmful side effects but you will have to wipe down the inner sides of the tank due to salt residue once it settles.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

I just used prime and added salt once the water was in the tank. It made it way easier and worked out fine.

I've heard many people have done that...especially with FO tanks. Matter of fact, IIRC, the Fish Only section on RC had the majority of people saying they used straight tap water for everything for years with no issues. Of course, one of my tanks will be a reef so I'm probably gonna play it a bit more cautious.

It's fine to mix it up the first time in the tank. I filled up mine which is similar in size and then added salt into the sump.
The reason you don't want to mix it in the tank is once their is livestock in the tank. Mixing salt in the tank, the particles can go everywhere, and mix unevenly, which causes salinity swings for a couple hours.

Yup, definitely would only be the start up for adding salt to the water. After everything is running it definitely has to be pre-mixed.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Most of us literally spend thousands of dollars on our systems, why wouldn't you spend $200 on a ro/di unit? Don't put tap water into your system, you have no idea what's in the water and the effects it will have on your animals.

Yup, I've already spent in that neighborhood. I'm not sure where/why you assumed I didn't have and ro/di unit?? I actually have one and a spare. I don't know why I have a spare, I should probably sell it, but I do. I only asked about this because I've heard so much on both sides of the topic while doing my "homework".

X2

You've spent this much time and money, what’s another week to do it right,rather than risk it and fight the shortcut for months or years? RODI, and Iwould mix saltwater outside the tank, though in the tank would work if you cankeep the flow up to avoid the calcium and alk from precipitating out of solution.I use prime but only in an emergency. If it were me, I'd make sure Im usingRODI and just wait the week, and mix in brute cans then add to the tank my$.02. Do it right the first time, why take a shorcut this close to the end.

LOL...had to laugh about shortcutting. I've been working on this build pretty much with all my spare time for the past 6 months. Patience hasn't really been the problem. I will definitely be adding the salt to the water at this point. The RO water is actually filling faster than I thought it would. I must have a good unit! It would have taken me twice as long to fill a brute can at a time while pre-mixing the salt, then it would sit stagnant in the tank the entire time until the last couple were done so I could actually run the system. I have a TON of flow if needed so I think adding the salt at the end shouldn't be a problem? I'll probably just add the salt slowly at the sump where it'll get churned up pretty good. Can you explain the idea of calc and alk precipitating out? I'm not familiar with what would cause that in this situation?

 

[ShelbyJK500]

I didnt know you had pre seeded rock. Tap water will kill all bacteria, algae, and all other life in a pre-seeded marine system, in this case I would use the filter and pre mix the SW.

I was planning on adding all the rock and sand after filling the tanks and stabilizing the SG. I've already started adding RO water to the system and then I'll have to mix the salt when it's done. Works out well with the 150g sump since I can run the RO/DI unit and leave for 10 hours at a time and also while I sleep. When it gets close to full I just run the pump and dumps it into the tank. LOL...as I type this, I guess I could have just mixed the salt in the sump at the full point and then pump it into the tanks!! Too funny, sometimes you just actually have to talk it out and find a better solution. Oh well, the tanks are almost half full as it is.

That TDS seems really high. I lived in FOCO where it was about 30-50 but here in SE Denver its about 200-250. If you are going to spend the $ for an RO you might as well be patient and fill it up. Filling the tank with tap and then using RO for water changes would be a waste IMO. I had a 210 and for my first mix I added the salt directly to the tank water. I had no harmful side effects but you will have to wipe down the inner sides of the tank due to salt residue once it settles.

Yeah, I was horrified when I learned my TDS number was in the high 400's...especially since the highest allowable limit in the U.S. is 500. I got a water softener the weekend after I found this out. I know water softeners don't lower TDS, but they do however remove the "hard" dissolved solids from the water and replace with sodium. At least that's what I understand from researching it. Thanks for the tip on the salt residue.

 

[Craigar]

If you need you can come over and get water from my house I have 40-50 gallons on hand pretty much all the time as my rodi unit has a float valve that keeps the container full. Ihave a 100 gallon per day unit


300 gallon mixed reef
90 gallon bowfront fowlr

 

[Cake_Boss]

Can you explain the idea of calc and alk precipitating out? I'm not familiar with what would cause that in this situation?

It's where the calc and/or alk are no longer in solution. Example, when I mixed my Salinity in my mixing bucket, the calc would precipitate out and become a white film on the inside of my bucket. I've talked to several LFS and members about this, answers range from water being to cold to adding too much salt for the water quantity (having 30g worth of salt in but only

 

[andyrm66]

Thats a common theme of Salinity. I dig the ESV multipart, mixes super clear. All depends on what works for you.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

If you need you can come over and get water from my house I have 40-50 gallons on hand pretty much all the time as my rodi unit has a float valve that keeps the container full. Ihave a 100 gallon per day unit

Craig, you rock man, thanks for the offer!! Thankfully though, my RO unit is pumping it out at a great pace. Should be full by Thurs night or so.

 

[Craigar]

The offer is always open if you need it! Do u have a storage container for after the setups up and running to keep water on hand? I am in the process of hooking up a 120 gallon pressure tank to mine it will be so nice then the container I have now I will have salt mixing all the time!


300 gallon mixed reef
90 gallon bowfront fowlr

 

[ShelbyJK500]

The offer is always open if you need it! Do u have a storage container for after the setups up and running to keep water on hand? I am in the process of hooking up a 120 gallon pressure tank to mine it will be so nice then the container I have now I will have salt mixing all the time!

Yeah, I'll be using 2 Brute trash cans for awhile...should do the trick though, i'm hoping!