Almost there!

[Nick C]

Hey guys and gals,

So I'm getting close to starting up. I have everything and my rock is in my tank. Was going to do sand this evening. Would it be a bad idea to run it with Tap water with those inside to make sure all of the plumbing is good on leaks? Should i take the rock out and test prior? Should i fill it up with RODI and just test then add Salt?

My plan was to put rocks-sand-tap water. Make sure we are good, drain the water, make RODI and add sand.

Any thoughts?

 

[P-Dub]

Depends. Is this a new or used tank? I think that new tanks from reputable dealers should provide enough confidence to go for an RO/DI fill unless there is a closed loop in the build or an overflow that has flow into the overflow box anywhere other than the top. The rest of the leaks that might rear their head will likely be plumbing connection related and generally can be addressed with a full tank. Just my thoughts..

 

[Nick C]

Depends. Is this a new or used tank? I think that new tanks from reputable dealers should provide enough confidence to go for an RO/DI fill unless there is a closed loop in the build or an overflow that has flow into the overflow box anywhere other than the top. The rest of the leaks that might rear their head will likely be plumbing connection related and generally can be addressed with a full tank. Just my thoughts..

This is a used tank, with PVC that came with the tank. It is a reef ready tank, I've had the tank full already, well semi full. Not enough to get into the overflow and the tank itself is fine. I'm just a little worried about the plumbing.

 

[P-Dub]

In that case, I'd fill with tap for a leak test. Don't worry about the TDS's unless your tap water is horrible. Your tank will have to go through a cycling process where you will be doing significant water changes anyway.

 

[theMeat]

In that case, I'd fill with tap for a leak test. Don't worry about the TDS's unless your tap water is horrible. Your tank will have to go through a cycling process where you will be doing significant water changes anyway.

Agree with this. And use new bulkheads

 

[Nick C]

In that case, I'd fill with tap for a leak test. Don't worry about the TDS's unless your tap water is horrible. Your tank will have to go through a cycling process where you will be doing significant water changes anyway.

Agree with this. And use new bulkheads

Do you think I should hold off on putting the sand in to do this? I don't want to take the Rock out, being such a pain haha. But the sand is still in bags so I can leave it out

 

[theMeat]

I’m sure some would argue but imo since rock is already dry, would put sand, cover sand with plastic, put tap water, if no leaks overnight put salt, start cycle. Could always, at anytime, add a live bag of sand, or seed from a fellow reefer. And that’s if your tap isn’t crazy

 

[P-Dub]

Do you think I should hold off on putting the sand in to do this? I don't want to take the Rock out, being such a pain haha. But the sand is still in bags so I can leave it out

Since it is not in there leave it out, IMHO. Reason being t will just be another surface for cycling algae to build upon and discolor. Add after cycle and your sand will more likely remain whiter.