questions

OK, so finished the cabinet, the sump, and the plumbing. I'm now ready to start the show but before I do I have a few lingering questions I hope some could help me with.

Heater/s:

I have a 20g long sump and a 90g DT... I was looking at heaters but the ones rated for my tank will be way too large for my sump. Can I just get away with a 30g size (100watt) heater which will fit in the sump? I want the heater in the sump not the DT.

Rock:
Should I buy this online or from a LFS. Would 45lbs be enough. If
not can I buy half at the start of cycle then the rest during the cycle or should I wait a and buy all of it when I'm ready. Can I have the rock sit for awhile before it goes in the tank?
Do I have to buy cured rock seeing that I'm just starting the cycle?

Startup:
I assume I have to fill the sump and tank and then mix in the salt get the water to temperature then put in the rock and sand bed? If I fill the tank with just the salt water is it bad if I let it sit for a week or 2 before I put the rock and sand in? I just want to make sure the water stay heated and all the badness in the water is gone.

Any other suggestions is greatly appreciated... I read the startup sticky threads so most the tough questions were answered just these simple questions remain.

Eggs

 

first off hello and welcome to the addiction

the heater may be to small but as long as it distrubutes the heat evenly throught the tank it is worth a try

I would look into at least 90 lbs of rock and yeas you can add as you go through the cycle but it may prolong the cycle out. as long as its not live rock it can sit and insted of seeding with a ton of live rock just use a pice of shrimp to start the cycle and it will turn live.

mix the salt up in a bucket then add to the tank. it a bigger pain in the butt but it keeps everything stable once sand and rock gets in there.

I add sand set up my aquascape then add water you could leave just water in ther but IMO ther really in no reason.

hope this helps

 

You could buy two small heaters. Either way it is always good to have more than 1 in case one fails.
That's how I have my 150 set up. Two smaller heaters working together. I'd say that's even better than just one.
Similarly for flow, it is always better to have 3 smaller power heads than 1 really strong one.

For the rock, You can start with what you have and then add Base rock later on. It should not do anything to the cycle as it has nothing to add into the tank.

For the set up.. you can do anything really. I would put the rocks first, then the sand, then the mix of water with salt. ( put a plate on the sand and aim the water there to minimize sand storms)

 

I would use dry base rock and get the full amount upfront.This would give you more to work with when aquaskaping and should make the job easier.I've never bought rock online but I've read a lot of threads here from others who have and have been very happy with it,seems like a good way to go pricewise.

 

Yeah, online is always pretty good. Reefcleaners has the best prices I have seen as of yet. I love their stuff.

 

+1 I just bought rock from reefcleaners and they were by far the best priced, plus free shipping!!

Don't know what it looks like in person but nice looking rock online

 

i used reefcleaners for a CUC and they are really good

 

Thanks for the replies, I'll buy two heaters then put both in my sump...still confused about the rock though... I can buy just plain rock then dump a price of shrimp in the tank then the rock turns to live rock...?
I'm in no rush so I'll check out reef cleaners and buy online...LFS's are asking 8.99lb in my area...
The salt mixing will be difficult pre-mixing in a bucket...my back isn't the best, I was going to fill the tank half way dump some salt and allow the flow of the hose to help mix it if I'm under the salinity value I would then add more salt in the sump as its running.

A question I forgot to ask... I bought carbon filter pads to put in between baffles is that OK?

 

8.99 for live rock? or base rock? (that's pretty expensive either way LOL. My LFS sells Live rock for $5 per lb and base rock for $3.50) John still beats them by a long shot.
and yes. As the shrimp decomposes in your tank it releases ammonia, which then naturally occurring bacteria start converting it to nitrite and then nitrate.
After your cycle is over, your base rock is now live rock

The reason why you can add Base rock later on without causing another cycle is because base rock does not have organics that will die and produce ammonia.

As for the salt, you can fill the tank with water, and then add the salt if you wish. I have done that before. It will take longer to get the correct reading as the salt will take longer to dissolve. So just be careful not to add too much salt right away.

You could also buy a big trashcan, and then mix the water and the salt. Then use a pump with a long hose to pump the water mix into the tank.

 

I just finished reading some posts which were linked from reef cleaners... I understand now. But my knowledge is based off of old school techniques which I learned years ago when I had a small 30g... but I want to do it right this time around.

Our stores are few and far between in the salt realm hence why they charge so much for live rock... its insane the price they charge, reading those posts just saved me some doe as I'll buy more base rock per pound and a few pounds of live to meet the 90lbs minimum then add more base during the cycle.

Big help guys thank you.