Mixing Salt for a new tank

 

I am going to be getting a 220 gallon tank sometime next week and would like to set it up where my 75 gallon is now.  So even if I could recover every drop of salt water from my tank I am thinking that I will still be short close to 150 gallons.  I really don't want to purchase a large water storage tank for this as I will not need to make that much water again at one time as far as I can see. 

 

I would like to mix the salt in batches but with trying to set up the new tank where the old tank is I don't think that I will have time for this option.  I did think that I might be able to use the AS SEEN on TV moving men to slide the old tank out of the way.  I just am not sure if they will let me slide the tank. 

 

Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

Shelby

As for your real question (mixing salt) most people use large garbage cans.  (20-30g)  If you have extra equipment (heater and pump) it is even easier as you can use the pump to stir the salt and the heater to get it up to the right temp as tap water is cold or if you plan to use RO it isn't as big a deal but you still may want to warm it up from room temp.  Obviously it will take several batches, but it goes pretty quick and it is easier to keep track of how much water you have added so you can leave 75g for the other tank.  

Coming from someone that had upgrade fever and went from 29g-75g-125g-210g just in the living room.  Some tips on upgrade day.  Move as much rock/coral/fish/ as you can into styros or buckets.  Drain as much water as possible (make sure they are out of the way as you don't want to be tripping over them.)  Start filling up a garbage can with water to mix.  (make sure you have a pump with a tube long enough to reach the tank and don't leave the running water unattended)  Add salt, heater, and pump.  Check salinity in a few minutes.  When salinity and temp are good pump water into the new tank.  While salt is mixing move old tank and position new one.  Transfer sand into new tank.  When enough water has been added to compensate for the difference see if you have enough to start running the tank.  (probably pretty close depending on how much water you can add from the old tank)  If possible let the new tank run for a little while, the sand should be pretty settled by now.  Check the temp of the stuff in buckets/styros.  Acclimate to reach a similar temp.  Move the old rock/coral into the new tank.  If water is still cloudy wait on fish.  If it has been more than 2 hours go ahead or put an airstone in the buckets so the fish can breathe.  Finish setting up new tank along the way.  Kick your feet up cause you've earned it.    Others may do it differently but that's just what worked for me a half dozen times.