Brand new tank, need advice

[jazonPartij]

40gal Nuvo fusion.
Coralline t5 aqualight
Ghost protein skimmer
Nano zapp uv sterilizer
Maxi-jet 1200 circulation pump
Aqueon 700 circulation pump
Innovative marine spin stream

This is my first tank. It has been running for 6 days now. I use RODI water, h2ocean pro salt, added some prime, and have added special blend microbe-lift to start my cycle. Is this good to start a cycle with? Any other nutrients Or supplements I should be adding now? How about later on?

I'm not happy with the substrate as it piles up in areas. I've tried changing the direction of the circulation pumps but it'll just shift to the next side, any suggestions? I'm having a tough time keeping the temperature constant. Right now it ranges from 81.5 to 84.5 which seems a bit high to me. I wasn't planning on getting a chiller but what do you suggest? I'm also not super impressed with the Nuvo filtration system, any suggestions in upgrading it or do you think the filters on each side are enough?

I was going to add one more liverock right on the top left to create another archway. Any feedback so far on the beginnings of my aquascape? Anything else you can share with a beginner? What does it meant to "cook liverock"? Because I didn't do that...

 

[Virtualbasil]

I mean it looks good to me! I have no idea what cooking live rock is either. I have a ghost skimmer too and I hate it.

 

[Virtualbasil]

For your mechanical filtration I would get a poly filter also you dont have to right meow though. keep your temp around 78 if you can. What are you planning on keeping in the tank?

 

[melypr1985]

I was going to add one more liverock right on the top left to create another archway. Any feedback so far on the beginnings of my aquascape? Anything else you can share with a beginner? What does it meant to "cook liverock"? Because I didn't do that...

Cooking the rock refers to curing it. That means, you let the rock cycle before adding it to the tank (usually done in a large Rubbermaid container with water changes and testing). This being a brand new tank, you can get away with letting it cycle along with the tank. I did the same thing with no ill effects at all.

 

[jazonPartij]

For your mechanical filtration I would get a poly filter also you dont have to right meow though. keep your temp around 78 if you can. What are you planning on keeping in the tank?

Thanks. I haven't completely decided what I should get yet. I do want two clown fish but other than that I haven't decided. I want to focus mostly on coral. Any suggestions for coral?

 

[Virtualbasil]

Mushrooms and pollops are easy to keep