yea i figured id run into that so i went and threw 8 cups (the suggested starting amount for 20g) in a kool-aid pitcher put some scalding hot water into it and the salt dissolved into it really quick so i just poured it into my tank since all ive got it live rock and temp shopuldent effect that.ive got about 1.023 salinity reading now

and glad to hear that about the dust its looking really ugly

and the water is tap but ive got some aqueon conditioner i use