Still Researching, but have a few questions!

Sooooooooo I stopped at the LFS today, and stumbled upon a deal I couldnt pass up.


I ended up getting a 28 gallon bowfront tank and stand. Now I've just gotta wait a month and start adding the other components. Might be a while before I can even start cycling... but atleast I feel like I've started! ;D

Enjoy the pictures of my empty tank, lol.

 

Congradulations, looks like a nice tank.

If you want you can start cycling it now with just water, salt mix, hydrometer, power head, heater and some sand. Just an idea.

 

Nice purchase, congrats!

 

Ya. Thought about that. But since I could afford to get everything now (though I'd prefer to space it out over a few months) I KNOW if I do that I just wont stop and end up spending too much all at once! lol.

I need to figure out a way to get it a bit more stable. I know the weight on the carpet will help when it's full... but still scared if that's enough! Gotta try and level it a little bit I think

Btw, would one Koralia powerhead (240 gph) be enough? I'm leaning more toward 2

 

first, you should definately level before you fill, otherwise at a minimum it will look crappy, and you could crack your tank if its bad enough. finally the water weighs plenty. you will have no problem on carpet once its filled.

 

For sure!

This weekend I am hoping to level it out, and I will probably secure the tank stand to a stud in the wall. Might as well be safe

Also planning on spray painting the back black at some point soon.

A new saltwater LFS just opened about an hour away. Hopefully I'll resist the urge to buy more equipement when I check it out this weekend

 

Don't secure it until it is filled...it will sink down 1/4" or so due to weight.

 

Ok, good point. I guess I'll atleast get everything set up to be able to secure it quickly and easily at that point. I think once I finish leveling it out the securing it thing will be a little less of a priority. I hope, lol.

 

I picked up a couple heaters, a little powerhead for mixing saltwater, and various of the little "misc" items I'll need. Next it is a refractometer, Salt, and the rock (think i am ordering from reefcleaners )

First task though is painting the back.

Anyway, a couple quick questions. Can I start cycling my tank before I add sand (still debating color, ect? Also, I am thinking of starting cycling without the refugium, would adding it later affect my cycle at all? I'd assume not.

Also, how many powerheads do you think I need (and what flow rate?)

Thanks!

 

Picture with painted back.



I hope to order my baserock by the end of the month, and then I'll be able to start my cycle shortly after that. I think around that time I will start a tank build thread

For priority of purchase.... Should I go for my HOB fuge or a skimmer first?