Here we go!

jramy123 · Mar 2, 2017

So finally got my rock, 70lbs of reefsaver from BRS, and about 75 lbs of special grade arag-alive sand. i got my scape done and i just have one question. can anyone confirm that with reefsaver since no pests or hitchikers i can cycle the rock in tank with sand and adding biospira? id like to lay the sand bed tonight and start to add saltwater today but ill wait to hear from you guys. that way i dont waste time and sand.

ndrwater · Mar 2, 2017

Sure you can!! Get that tank wet!!!

You might wanna rinse the sand though. Use salt water to keep it alive. Potential for a cloudy tank is high if you don't.

miPapareef · Mar 2, 2017

Congrats on the new tank.

You can cycle in the tank and you certainly won't be wasting anything. Biospira is just the bacteria so you'll need to add some ammonia source for it to eat and start the cycle. Because you have the reefsaver rock there aren't organics in it to decay, so definitely add a shrimp or fish wood.

jramy123 · Mar 2, 2017

i guess the better question is do i cure it? wrong term used i think. i have seen tons of vids with this specific rock, reefsaver, u can just add it. i rinsed it and dug around and no sponges or anything. its that dry rock thats from a mine instead of live rock thats dried.

Shep · Mar 2, 2017

Yep! Its all been dried out and it does not even come from the ocean, so you have no worries about pests. Go a head and proceed with you cycle

ndrwater · Mar 2, 2017

A piece of raw table shrimp works well as an ammonia source.

jramy123 · Mar 2, 2017

cool ty. do u guys tend to add rodi from a system then salt or do u mix it first? also lol what do i want salinity at again? been while since i did this

ndrwater · Mar 2, 2017

Mix the water 1st if you can. 1.025 +/- is a good spot to be

jramy123 · Mar 2, 2017

Just a little look at the scape. gonna add sand next and water salt tonight

ndrwater · Mar 2, 2017

I like it a lot!!

GatorScott · Mar 2, 2017

jramy123 said:
Just a little look at the scape. gonna add sand next and water salt tonight

You should black the back of your tank before you fill it up

jramy123 · Mar 2, 2017

You mean those plastic sheets gator? or paint or something?

ndrwater · Mar 2, 2017

Paint is best, but the black Aquarium background works well too... You get the paper stuff at your LFS.... Plus it gives you the opportunity to window shop while you wait for the tank to cycle...

CamG · Mar 2, 2017

Oh that is going to be nice !

miPapareef · Mar 3, 2017

That's looking great! I'd mix the water in a separate tub first then add it after mixed.

jramy123 · Mar 3, 2017

Any specific brand of paint? Never painted glass lol.

miPapareef · Mar 3, 2017

I used rust-oleum flat enamel spray paint. Use 2 or 3 thin coats, using a light in front of the tank to find the thin spots.

My first attempt was with a roll on paint but the spray is easier.

jramy123 · Mar 3, 2017

Ok cool I got one of 2 30g Rodi water I'll salt tonight and then paint and hopefully fill this weekend. We got roofers redoing the roof so have be careful about contamination lol

GatorScott · Mar 3, 2017

jramy123 said:
You mean those plastic sheets gator? or paint or something?

Sorry just saw this but ya paint the back outside glass. It looks a lot cleaner with the black background so you don't see the wall.

GatorScott · Mar 3, 2017

And also, the tank I have now (biocube) came with a black background but the 75g I had before I just painted the back with a small roller and exterior water resistant paint and it held up fine