alkalinity etc.

Question
I have had my salt water system running for 7 days. Light has been on all 7 days.I do not know wattz or voltz on lighting system. I have a 10 gallon tank for now. All levels are perfect, I have checked every 24-36 hrs regularly to assure myself of this.
I bought 2 live rocks. 1 with mushrooms (5 total mushrooms on the rock) and a feather duster which weighs maybe half and ounce. I have between 10-20 lbs of live sand. I also just purchased 2 small red crabs with a purple hue on the underside. Basically my alkalinity levels are night readable and I am worried because I read some comment on a leaderboard about stirring or mixing the sand or water to assure proper mixture of salt into the water. I skimmed through the sand with a wooden spoon and a salty cloud now has formed in the entire tank. A heavy cloud as was when the tank was first started. I am in the process of purchasing another alkalinity reader. I need assurance that my items were not invested on in vain.
Thank you in andvance.


Answer
Hey Benjamin

Cloud when you shuffle around the sand is normal and wont hurt anything, it will go away. is there loose salt crystals in the tank? if so, thats bad. Loose salt crystals will burn fish and corals. always make sure the salt is fully dissolved during water changes