new start up..

hello yall im new to the forum and just getting back into saltwater after about 16 years so . I have a 50gal going to be coral tank and a 40 gal live/sump . question? so when trying to figure out how many gals a really have should I calculate water displacement ? rock, bed ect?

 

calculating rock displacement can be hard. just fill it up. I would venture to gues you will end up with 40 in the tank and 20 in the sump.

 

thanks man. that was around about what I was thinking to. so I should say I have a 60 gal tank?

 

+1^^ this was my thought....I was thinking there should be a more scientific answer (there probably is one, but I don't know it ) Welcome to 3reef!! and the hobby!

It really depends on how much rock you end up putting in in terms of water volume.

 

thanks bro ..any thought on
cycling the live sump first...then later using it to cycle the Maine tank?

 

It's probably best to cycle it all at once.....many may disagree with me but I'd suggest using a bacterial supplement to help the tank cycle perhaps a little sooner.

 

I agree. Bacteria supplements are great and really do wonders to a new tank. Its been over a year and I still dose every now and then.

 

Welcome to 3reef! A lot of good info here and some knowledgeable reefers.