New tank build

Jason mack · Dec 4, 2016

hi R2R
I will be upgrading my 100 liter tank too a 350 liter tank in the next few weeks ..
So this is my dilemma ... I can do this one of 3 ways ,
1/ I can start my new tank from scratch , mix my own water put either dry rock with some live rock in and let it cycle and when ready move everything from my old tank too the new one ......
2/ I can go too my LFS and using their water that has already been in their tanks , and fill my tank and some new live rock plus my own and set everything over straight away .( not sure if they would charge me for used water.? )
3/ I have been told I can go too the sea and fill my tank with that and after a couple of days test and if all is good set everything over ... ( not sure about this as I live in holland and not sure where the best place is or the cleanest water .. but I need about 400 liters .. so I don't want too have too travel too far too get it ..
So these are my options .. of course money also has a role too play as too which option I choose ..
but I would be extremely grateful for any thoughts or advice or pros and cons over all 3 options ..
thanks in advance !!

Ty Hamatake · Dec 4, 2016

Jason mack said:
hi R2R
I will be upgrading my 100 liter tank too a 350 liter tank in the next few weeks ..
So this is my dilemma ... I can do this one of 3 ways ,
1/ I can start my new tank from scratch , mix my own water put either dry rock with some live rock in and let it cycle and when ready move everything from my old tank too the new one ......
2/ I can go too my LFS and using their water that has already been in their tanks , and fill my tank and some new live rock plus my own and set everything over straight away .( not sure if they would charge me for used water.? )
3/ I have been told I can go too the sea and fill my tank with that and after a couple of days test and if all is good set everything over ... ( not sure about this as I live in holland and not sure where the best place is or the cleanest water .. but I need about 400 liters .. so I don't want too have too travel too far too get it ..
So these are my options .. of course money also has a role too play as too which option I choose ..
but I would be extremely grateful for any thoughts or advice or pros and cons over all 3 options ..
thanks in advance !!

I chose option 1. Getting dirty water from a LFS doesn't really help that much as most of the beneficial bacteria is on the rock and in the sand. Used water may be cheaper, but it will also be lacking the minerals and trace elements that you need. Water from the ocean may be the cheapest but is probably the most unpredictable. That is also a lot of water to be hauling... Option 1 gives you the most control over what goes in your tank with the least amount of variables in the water quality.

Shep · Dec 4, 2016

I vote option 1, start fresh! start with new stuff, you'll have more control and less risk of bringing anything unwanted into the system.

Willcar · Dec 4, 2016

I do want to start fresh too. I notice any new tank i set up is better than the previous one. That's how we learn.

MaiReef · Dec 4, 2016

Welcome to R2R! I wouldn't rush the new tank. I would mix your own water and put in a few gallons of sea water and a bit of sand and rock from the sea mixed with cured dry rock.

Jason mack · Dec 4, 2016

Thanks everyone .. i will be going for option 1 ... I started my first tank with live sand and dry rock .. and in the past year the thing I've learned the most I think is too have pataince in this hobby .. but also i think it will give me time too get used too having a tank with a sump !!!

scoopsthedog · Dec 4, 2016

Stay away from ocean water near shores made that mistake once. Comes with all kinds of critters you don't want. LFS can also come with nasty critters.