Setting up a Marine Aquarium

Using Purified RO Water

Add pre-rinsed sand or gravel into aquarium. Place thermometer above gravel.
Add RO/DI (Purified Water) into a clean separate container. (Rubbermaid tub or trash can works great.)
Set heater into container.- Wait 20 minutes
Plug in heater, adjust temperature to 76-80`F, start water circulation in container using powerhead or power filter.
Add synthetic sea salt, keep water circulating.- Wait 1 hour
Adjust salinity in container to 1.020-1.025.
Add pre-mixed saltwater. Adjust to correct salinity in aquarium. Mount heater to back of aquarium and turn it on.
Turn on filtration system and allow water to clear.- Wait 24 hours
Make sure tank is stabilized. Heat to correct temperature, salinity to correct levels, and filtration is working properly.
Add first set of livestock and desirable live rock.
* Blue Sierra strongly recommends live rock and/or live sand for the beneficial bacteria and natural food sources it provides.
** Make sure that ammonia and nitrite tolerant fish are added initially.

Using Tap Water

Add pre-rinsed sand or gravel into aquarium.
Fill aquarium to 1-2” from the top of the tank.
Place thermometer above gravel. Mount heater to back of aquarium.- Wait 20 minutes
Install and start filtration system.
Plug in the heater and adjust temperature to 76-80` F.
Add synthetic sea salt. Adjust salinity to 1.020-1.025. (Pending type of aquarium reef or fish-only.)
Allow tank to circulate.- Wait 24 hours
Make sure tank is stabilized. Heat to correct temperature, salinity to correct levels, and filtration is working properly.
Add first set of livestock and desirable live rock.
* Blue Sierra strongly recommends live rock and/or live sand for the beneficial bacteria and natural food sources it provides.
** Make sure that ammonia and nitrite tolerant fish are added initially.