New tank set up advice please.

So I am in the middle of a stand build but I am excited about getting my tank up and cycling. Do you guys recommend starting out with minimal equipment and adding to the system? If so what do I need to start? Should i cycle with newly added live rock? Any advice will be helpful as I am very new to this hobby. I am going to have a 80 gallon tank.

Thanks

 

I would buy most of the equipment before starting... not sure exaclty what you'd need (I have all-in-one) but I would definetely recomend adding a fuge. Made a huge difference for me. Also, I would buy all the LR now and do the aquascaping or at least build the base.

 

thanks for the quick response.

 

are you going reef or just fish?

 

I would recommend you get everything that you need first. You will need a protein skimmer, try to get one that is overrated for your tank size. Power heads for water movement, heaters, something to run carbon, whether you have it in a sump, or in a filter of some kind. Lighting, that's a whole different ball game, it depends on your goals and what you want to keep. I would suggest cycling with the live rock. I would put the rock in the tank and let it cycle, when it's cycled, do a water change and siphon out all of the detritus that fell off the rock. Then add your sand/substrate. You should then be good to go.

 

if reef, then a better grade lighting wil be needed. is the tank drilled? or will you be going a hob filter? aalot depends on these 2 things.

 

I am going reef. Its a glass tank and will be using hob overflow