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David J

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Hey guys,

I'm a new reefer here, Looking to start up my 25 gal Innovative Marine lagoon tank in the next month or so. Still have some confusing sections I'm trying to read up and learn about. For example the cycle and testing. I was working on my Rock structure doing some pre aqua scaping today. I'm still waiting for the stupid stand. Ordered it before xmas from my local store because I wanted to use them as im sure they will help me out if I have issues down the road. However it ended up costing me as its still not here and it used to be on sale so I paid an extra $45 to get it this week hopefully.

That being said for the cycling I'm confused as what to do. I got the rock from Amazon. Its the Worldwide imports Atlantic coral rock, I plan on washing it but can I rinse it in regular water or should it be Salt and or RO water ? Do I do the Bleach which some people recommend to kill any extra organic matter that might still be there ?

Before I add some fish I want both ammonia and nitrites at 0. Using live sand will speed up this process ? I didn't want to go with the live rock as a new reefer I didn't want to get screwed with parasites or something I wont know what to do with.Is that the same as live sand ??? I'm going to use the Red Coral Pro salt. Also have a RO 4 stage setup im about to get going this week. Do you guys suggest buying something like Seachem Stability to add in and jump start the cycle process ?


Any help would be appreciated. I'll be becoming an active member on here.


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Welcome to R2R! I really like the aquascape! Just make sure to leave enough room on the sides and front for a glass scraper to get by.

The above article is very informative, especially the section on cycling.

As far as the rock, you should be fine to rinse it with tap water. I believe that rock is mined, and shouldn't have any organics on it. Live sand is just sand with bottled bacteria added. Save the money and get dry sand. My favorite is caribsea special grade, I get it from BRS. Just make sure to rinse it very very well.
 
Hi David and welcome to R2R!

The rock work design looks very nice and you already have the link for ideas etc.

If you want to jump start the cycle I used ATM Colony and it works as it says on the bottle. Instant cycle done. There are others as well, but this is what I used.
 
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Welcome to r2r:) my tank is also in the midst of Cycling too:) If you need more info, check out brandon429 article on cycling. He helped me greatly by personally answering all my newbie question. Give his article a read!
 
2019-01-09 20.14.55 HDR.jpg


Built Custom shelf for inside this IM stand. Also setup my Neptune ATK today. Still need to label my power buttons but nice and neat.


2019-01-27 20.49.48.jpg


Added a float valve inside the 5 gal container with a shutoff so I can connect my RO setup right into the tank for filling. No more buckets for me. Also added a 1.5 Sicce pump as the stock 1 was too loud for me. This one is way quieter and I'm sure it will go down a bit once it breaks in. Also gives me about 100GPH more flow.
 

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