Filling your Tank with Saltwater For the First Time - Budget Build

[@feistymandrill3576]

Oml thank lord for this guy he is a lifesaver I was worried that I couldn’t use the store’s saltwater 😅

[@2pleez122474]

This video is much better than the last one 😜

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

2PLEEZ thanks!!!

[@takebacktheworld8090]

That is the best t shirt I’ve ever seen!!! Give to meeee

[@strongstyleorganics4868]

Been using a refractometer for beer and to test brix levels in plants for years. Just now heard you have to calibrate it! Total noob move lol.

[@markmckinnell2204]

You should have mentioned cleaning the refractometer with RO in between uses Mark as it might not be obvious to a newby .

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

Great Point!

[@brandonezdoofenshmirtz2916]

Had no clue. Maybe thats why readings keep jumping around

[@Fishaholic]

Great info mate 👍

[@apopense]

Hi, I have a freshwater tank thats been running for 1 year can I use that same water to make my saltwater tank? Or to I need to start fresh?

[@johnnyg309]

Does any HOB filter work?

[@rulasmays8132]

You should make a video about bacterial bloom I did everything your videos say and watched them all but never expected the bacterial bloom to happen got really scared about it but I researched about it and everything is ok now!!😂🤣😭

[@Moodster93]

What did you do?

[@henryramos1612]

thank you. WOOT WOOT

[@reeffreak911]

I just brought the garden hose around filled the tank put salt in the tank tested till I hit the right salinity and added water conditioner

[@brandonezdoofenshmirtz2916]

Seems unorthodox. And definitely killed all the bacteria in the rocks. And youll definitely experience major algae issues. You also cant keep any sps, clams, nems, or any sensitive species because that water is gonna be below par

[@reeffreak911]

@@brandonezdoofenshmirtz2916 see people think they know things they haven't done cause someone told someone that told someone else I have a mixed reef and I still use tap water for top off im reeffreak911 on instagram go check out my tank come back let me know how wrong you are

[@brandonezdoofenshmirtz2916]

@@reeffreak911 what do you add to your water to counteract the issues? An ro system is like 50$

[@reeffreak911]

@@brandonezdoofenshmirtz2916 I just don't have one im just proving a point just cause someone says something is not possible that hasn't tried it i have high end corals ive been using sink water for two years i have acros holy grail torch bounce xhrooms months favia chalice ect.....i prefefer to have nice corals in my tank then have a bunch of equipment and crap corals

[@brandonezdoofenshmirtz2916]

@@reeffreak911 an ro system is 50$. Will replace the need for conditioner and significantly reduce algae. Seems like a very worthy investment

[@azielmontiel8268]

How many TDS would you say still "safe" in tap water to avoid algae outbreaks?

[@rja9784]

The Hanna salinity checker might good for a budget build, but is no replacement for a refractometer

[@justingenao1501]

If I have a 40 gallon tank how many gallons will I need plz respond starting new to the saltwater hobby

[@xpand1t]

Hi I have a tropical tank, I have donated all the fish and plants to a friend who is starting out, can I just add sea salt now to the existing water, change the filter media and add live sand and rock?

[@keithstie]

Do you have the expensive thank series? For people that listen to those who say start with the tank you want to end up with, so you don't spend twice as much money. 😉. Plus, the bigger tanks are more stable. 😁

[@jordantate_]

Question, if I’m using Rodi water that I set up myself, do I still need to add a dechlorinator like seachem prime? Do I still need to add Beneficial bacteria after the tank has cycled during water changes? This is my first saltwater tank but I have a lot of experience with freshwater.

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

As long as your carbon cartridge isn't spent, it will remove the chlorine. Once a tank is cycled you don't have to add beneficial bacteria unless the water change removes enough good bacteria to start a mini cycle over again. Normally a 10% water change won't cause a mini cycle.

[@Coral-reef.]

You never talked about filtration lol did i see a hob filter ?

[@andrewyannarelly2831]

I have well water at my house. Can i use that water with the water treatment or do i need RODI?

[@knighthaack]

Mark, can you maybe make a comment about different salinities for different types of tanks, i.e. fish only vs mixed reef vs SPS only tanks. Thanks.

[@rowdyveach8109]

I want to do this same kind of budget build for a 50 gallon. Can you use the same type of equipment and process

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

Hi! You can use the same type of equipment but you will need to upgrade the size of some of the equipment to work for your size tank.

[@destineetaylor133]

Can I use rain water to do my water changes? I have a large rain water tank I could add salt weekly to do my water changes? My house water is very hard.

[@bartender534]

I started a 20 gallon budget build "fish only" built using your videos as reference...my question: I used the premixed caribsea saltwater and water has been filtering in my tank for about 8 days, yesterday I got the turbo start 900 overnight from saltwateraquarium.com and poured the whole bottle on it as instructed...sooo, does this mean I am now ready for fish? super newby here...

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

Yes! Start small with just a few fish to start. Test your water in case you start to see anything wacky and welcome to the hobby!

[@jn415tm]

Can I use my ultrefiner II drinking water filter?

[@moldybandshirt1045]

so you add the water- then add the salt? i have a 40 gallon and on the salt it says to add 1/2 cup of salt per gallon. that’s ok right?

[@Ellery-USA]

Correction....PPT = Parts per Thousand NOT Parts per Trillion. No biggie since most people don't even care.

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

Ellery Wong thanks for catching that. I’ll add a note in the video description

[@Ray-wr2wr]

i have a new tank ! can i add water first & then add salt /mix it?

[@DIEorSK87273]

My water comes from a well, would you say its probably safer than typical city tap water?

[@strongstyleorganics4868]

Always test your water! If anything a pool supply place will test on demand for free. Just say your not sure what pool salts you have at home if they try to sell you anything. If you're on the west coast your well water will likely be harder than if you're municipal supply gets its source from surface water.

[@dvpierce248]

IME, many grocery stores sell RODI water. It's an okay solution if you can't afford an RODI unit yet.

[@celebratednobody5589]

what about well water??

[@RemyStutes]

Just want to make anyone looking to get this budget build kit that it definitely does not come with the water conditioner that he states it comes with in this video so add that to your cart so you aren’t surprised to find it not in the kit when you get it all unpacked.

[@utumven]

What about well water?

[@phish5213]

if my TDS in my tapwater is 120-150 will is be safe to use for a saltwater tank?

[@brandonezdoofenshmirtz2916]

yes. but for stony corals, nems, and sensitive species Ideally you would want under 10. An ro unit is only around 50$ and mine gave me 2-3 tds

[@phish5213]

Brandonez Doofenshmirtz i just got an RODI unit, ty. What unit did you get? I got RO BUDDIE with the DI cartridge and it’s been working great

[@jacklawer6389]

Where do you get a ro filter for 50 bucks ??

[@coopernagle6892]

Can I use water from my local beach?

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

You can buy there are risks because you never know what could be in it

[@greatpotato2429]

can i make my own saltwater with the salt that can be bought from the market?

[@mustafaklc4704]

No

[@cassieflores3844]

If I was to try and replicate this setup with a forty gallon. Which of the aqueon filters would I use? 10, 20, 30, or 50?

[@jamesparsons8770]

Hi thanks for the series, is it ok to use water from the ocean? I live near to the ocean, it’s clean and clear.

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

You can but it's a risk. You never really know what might be in the small sample of water you take. Lots of people do this however without issues but I have heard of problems from time to time. Maybe gather some water and have it ICP tested before use?

[@balucci94]

Can I add water followed by salt directly into my tank if I have live sand?

[@knighthaack]

No. The critters in your live sand live in saltwater. Mix up your saltwater first then add to the tank with you live sand.

[@HeTookThem]

Can I use cooking salt for my saltwater tank?

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

No please don't do that. Please buy a salt made for keeping a saltwater tank.

[@HeTookThem]

@@Saltwateraquariumdotcom ok thanks for the response I like your content but thanks

[@austinbassin4420]

If I buy saltwater from a fish store do I still have to cycle the new tank?

[@mustafaklc4704]

Yes

[@twinkiedestroyer8286]

That’s actually a really good question. Most of the bacteria colonizes on your rock work, decorations/ornaments, substrate, filter, coral, and anything else in the actual water inside the tank other than livestock. So yes, you definitely still need to cycle.

[@zharfamily5696]

my tap water TDS is around 70.. can it still be used?

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

Yes you can, but there are risks

[@eb4676]

NYC tap water tds is 30 can I use it ?

[@dontworryaboutit8445]

Chicago?🤔

[@philkyle8919]

i have used sea water from my local beach for 25 yrs never had a problem :)

[@reconnaissance7372]

I wish someone could just say: "It's fine, just go to the beach fill a water tank full and use that in your marine aquarium. You don't have to go buy Salt! You'll need an RODI filter for water top ups, some test kits and tools to check water parameters and boom your tank has the bacteria from the sea to kickstart the cycling process into gear right off the bat and soon you can add your very first Coral." Am I entirely deluded or do I need to bleach my shit and start fresh

[@artscrafts4685]

I’m thinking the same, I’m learning though :)

[@drewzero1]

I've definitely heard that that can be the best way if you have access to a clean source of natural saltwater! Most of us aren't so lucky.

[@felipesparber9861]

Wouldn’t mixing the salt like that in the tank kill the beneficial bacteria that is in the sand

[@brandonezdoofenshmirtz2916]

Yes

[@Ray-wr2wr]

how about if sand is dry /dry rock (new tank)

[@NandhaKumar-ii9oh]

Hi sir my clownfish white spots what problem help me plz

[@sp1r3-47]

Nandha Kumar Ich put it in a quarantine tank and treat it with copper or icy medicine.

[@tsurro8086]

Those are great heaters but, they always need adjustments, 77 might not be 77 more like 73, and the instructions are very vague with the heater, had to watch a video to really learn how to get it right!!

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

I think that's a very rare case from my experience. What instructions are really needed? Plug it in, put in water, set the temp?

[@tsurro8086]

SaltwaterAquarium has three of these so far, set it on 78 , not even close that’s why there is the other ring to readjust the range, just saying!

[@rifaatisk1061]

It's was 25 actually just a correction

[@danielorozco6296]

this goes against every other video ive seen, add water to the tank and then put salt in?!?!

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

That's correct...water then salt. If you want to pre-mix the saltwater outside the tank, you can do that too

[@Kinjirra]

@@Saltwateraquariumdotcom That was precisely my question. Everything I have read or seen says to make sure the salt is completely mixed. How do you know the salt is completely dissolved when its already in the tank? Amazing series btw...my wife hates you now due to the new expensive hobby of mine however lol. Thank you!

[@marcelrodriguez2067]

I bought a 75 gallon, my parents are pretty pissed when they found out how much water is wasted on the RODI process.

[@cupofjoe.88]

There is surely a way to recycle the waste water but the RODI units we have in the hobby don't do that.

[@ahmedrasoul1986]

Mark i think the calibration part is not correct.. Look at min 06:15

[@Saltwateraquariumdotcom]

Ahmed Rasoul if you’re referring to where the blue line is, the videos show where the line should be adjusted to land