New Reefer

[Jekyll2000]

Good afternoon,
I'm new to saltwater reefing but have had several freshwater tanks over the years and was going to set up an African cichlid tank but started reading here and I'm hooked.

I purchased a 40BR and a 20L during the dollar sale from Petco. I've already made my sump from the 20L and had my LFS drill my tank and add the overflow and return. I hope to have my stand finished this week and hopefully start cycling this weekend. My LFS has said with cured live rock, live sand, and seasoned water from his displays that I should be up and ready to add fish in just a few days. Thoughts?

I've also found a good deal for a IM Nuvo 20 on craigslist and thinking about getting it for a QT. Can't wait to get started and really enjoy the amount of knowledge here.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Good afternoon,
I'm new to saltwater reefing but have had several freshwater tanks over the years and was going to set up an African cichlid tank but started reading here and I'm hooked.

I purchased a 40BR and a 20L during the dollar sale from Petco. I've already made my sump from the 20L and had my LFS drill my tank and add the overflow and return. I hope to have my stand finished this week and hopefully start cycling this weekend. My LFS has said with cured live rock, live sand, and seasoned water from his displays that I should be up and ready to add fish in just a few days. Thoughts?

I've also found a good deal for a IM Nuvo 20 on craigslist and thinking about getting it for a QT. Can't wait to get started and really enjoy the amount of knowledge here.

Usually with pre-cured liverock you can get a tank started much quicker, but you could also have a massive die-off of the bacteria if the rock gets too dry or hot from the shipping. I would add the cured liverock, a small bottle of bacteria starter (Seachem Stability or similar product), and the sand with RODI water based saltwater and wait a few days and test the water regularly. If there's not a significant ammonia or nitrate rise, you should be good to add one fish. Always start slowly with new tanks since it can take a bit for things to stabilize.

 

[seastar]

Hello and Welcome! I've also had African cichlid tanks and while absolutely stunning, nothing really can compare to a saltwater reef tank!

Great call on the QT tank btw! It usually takes most of us some painfully hard lessons before we wise up, so its sounds like yo're off to a fantastic start. As suggested, you can consider adding some of the bacteria in a bottle to get things going.

 

[Jekyll2000]

Usually with pre-cured liverock you can get a tank started much quicker, but you could also have a massive die-off of the bacteria if the rock gets too dry or hot from the shipping. I would add the cured liverock, a small bottle of bacteria starter (Seachem Stability or similar product), and the sand with RODI water based saltwater and wait a few days and test the water regularly. If there's not a significant ammonia or nitrate rise, you should be good to add one fish. Always start slowly with new tanks since it can take a bit for things to stabilize.

Thanks for the info. My LFS is 15 minutes from my house so the live rock isn't traveling far. I plan on 20-30 lbs of live rock and I have already bought 20lbs of Caribsea Life Rock Shapes for some caves and overhangs. I hear you about starting slow and that's the plan. Hopefully, I can stick to it.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Thanks for the info. My LFS is 15 minutes from my house so the live rock isn't traveling far. I plan on 20-30 lbs of live rock and I have already bought 20lbs of Caribsea Life Rock Shapes for some caves and overhangs. I hear you about starting slow and that's the plan. Hopefully, I can stick to it.

The best advice I've ever gotten in this hobby is to leave stuff alone after getting them settled. Reefs definitely do not like drastic changes, especially when you add coral to the mix. I think you're on the right track though, so keep up the good work!

 

[Salty1962]

Welcome to R2R!