New 46g setup

I am setting up a 46 gallon. Just a few questions.

I plan on adding 50% aragonite sand w/ 50% live sand for a bed 3" deep. Is this correct? Should I do away with the sand bed being 3"? I also plan to add around 50 lbs of live rock. Any advice on the live rock? I don't plan on adding lights for two weeks or so. Is it ok to run the tank with 2 powerheads for the time being? The filter system is going to consist solely of a protein skimmer. Is this needed as soon as the sand and rocks are added?

Any input on the setup would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

I would go for a 2" in. sand bed, too deep and hydrogen sulfide builds up. You mine as well use all dry sand too, the live sand my help your cycle a little, but it's not necessary. It is ok to run the tank with the two power heads for now. Don't worry about lighting until your tank cycles, there's nothing to look at anyways. I would use dry base rock. It's much cheaper than pre cured or wet rock. You don't need to skim until your tank is cycled. Good luck!

 

46 bowfront I presume ? I would go with a 2 inch bed...we used 40lbs of live sand simply because it was only a couple of bucks more than sand sand, and it's actually produced some shells my hermits like now.

The big question is, what do you plan on putting in the tank? Fish only? Fish only with some soft stuff? Or full blown reef?

And you don't need a skimmer until you are completely and totally cycled.

 

full blown reef

 

You will need some either live rock or live sand to help seed the tank with the bacteria you need.

 

+1 I'd put live sand in to help give the tank a kick start.. everyone hates waiting The bacteria will grow without it, but will take longer. I don't like buying LR from the LFS, I always go with base rock so that I know which critters are in my tank.

GL with the tank.