New To Salt Water, Any Guidance is Awesome!

Hey I just went out and got two pounds of live rock, and I didnt know if "Reef Rock" was suitable as live rock? He said something about the rock needed to be cured? I can add it in directly right since there is nothing in it?

I also got a kit, it is a "Saltwater Master test Kit" there was a "Reef Master Test Kit" as well, they tested for different things, mine test for pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate,

I do one day want corral and such, should I got back to get the other? The other only test for Nitrate or Nitrite, cant remember which one,

 

If it looks and smells like it came from the ocean, then its probably live rock.

Yes you can add it directly.

curing is the process of letting all the die off decompose and be eaten by other organisms. So basically hes saying its still got dead stuff on it from the transit. This is perfect for you as it will cycle your tank.

Hold off on the other test kit for now, the one you got is good enough for fish and cycling. Depending on the corals you want the "reef master"(guessing it API brand) test kit may not be accurate enough.

 

Also really advise against running your lights during the cycling and curing process, algae will form from all the high nutrients.

 

Okay thanks! Yes it is the API Saltwater tester, and I havent purchased the lights yet either, so good on that part. Added about 6 pounds so far, 2 live 4 base, going to a different store tomorrow to see if they have any different shaped rocks. That wont be a problem to add it when ever right? Should I bother with fans yet? Since there are no fish?

Oh and another thing the base rock is like pure white, it will turn to the live rock colour eventually right? how long do you think? or does that depend on the amount of bacteria etc?

 

It takes a few months for the coralline to begin to grow and spread. Keeping the ca around 400-450, alk 7-9 and mg 1350 will help promote it's growth.

 

Hey I have a problem!!! Some odd reason my tank is leaking today? So will be be safe to just get a new tank and then move everything from this tank now to the new? Im just worried it wont be okay with the sand?