Newbie - About to purchase a tank

[KathyB1212]

Hi Everyone

I'm Kathy, new to the forum, new to all of this. I've done a lot of reading and am ready to start and can use some help or advice. I'm going to go with an AIO and am going back and forth between a Waterbox 60.3 and a JBJ rimless 65. Any pros or cons?

Also, is bottom rock the same as dry rock? I'm finding rock at all sorts of places at various prices. I'm guessing I need to go with Dry and cure it to make sure I'm not getting any bad hitchers. Since I'm new I wouldn't want to put my first tank in jeopardy.

And if there are some nice reefers who want to help me through the curing process, I'd appreciate it. I'm trying to decide if I should cure in tank or in a bin to speed things up while I wait on a tank (they all seem out of stock - is it COVID??!!).
The curing process seems a bit overwelming as far as what I can put in there to help it along and also what equipment needs to be running while I cure - heater, pump, etc.? The house is at a good temperature - 72/73. It's all expensive so trying to add on components as I will need them. I'll need some thoughts on the testing process - strips, circles, dials? What's easiest and best to know how my tank is coming along?

Lastly, I'll need some help with the electronics - brining them together as I cannot stand a lot of cords and mess. I'd like things to be organized and wifi/smart home if possible.

Maybe I'm asking too much? Honestly - I'm not high maintenance - promise!

Thanks

 

[WillH]

Welcome!
Someone else can confirm, but I don’t think you need to cure most dry rock. Curing from my understanding is for live rock that has been dried out, and need to get past the leeching process from the dead organic. Most dry rock these days was not previously live rock. I would bet you brs has a video on rock that would clarify.
Neptune is the most popular as far as controller things...but as we all are, you will be disappointed to know it is not wireless between components and sensors. It does have WiFi though!

 

[Fred2482]

Welcome!
No experience with AIO, however i do have a waterbox and love it! I'm a big fan of "curing" dry rock, however its not required and some prefer live rock. I simply placed dry rock in a brute can with a power head, unless its very cold I wouldn't even add a heater. There are plenty of wire management solutions available now.

 

[ScubaFish802]

 

[Ippyroy]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[RedTheReefer]

I'd say start cycling your rock in a brute trash can. I'm currently doing it right now.

Doing so will give you a head start towards a mature tank. However, when it comes time to set up your tank, that rock will be wet and setting up your aquascape will have to be done in a timely manner. So if you think you would want to take time with your aquascape, I would recommend against this. All you need is saltwater, a pump for circulation, a heater, an ammonia source, and a test kit that covers ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate to monitor the cycle.

 

[BackToTheReef]

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[WIReefer]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[KathyB1212]

Welcome!
Someone else can confirm, but I don’t think you need to cure most dry rock. Curing from my understanding is for live rock that has been dried out, and need to get past the leeching process from the dead organic. Most dry rock these days was not previously live rock. I would bet you brs has a video on rock that would clarify.
Neptune is the most popular as far as controller things...but as we all are, you will be disappointed to know it is not wireless between components and sensors. It does have WiFi though!

Thank you - maybe curing is the wrong term for getting the bacteria to grow and
The ecosystem started .

 

[KathyB1212]

Welcome to R2R!!!

Thanks!

 

[KathyB1212]

I'd say start cycling your rock in a brute trash can. I'm currently doing it right now.

Doing so will give you a head start towards a mature tank. However, when it comes time to set up your tank, that rock will be wet and setting up your aquascape will have to be done in a timely manner. So if you think you would want to take time with your aquascape, I would recommend against this. All you need is saltwater, a pump for circulation, a heater, an ammonia source, and a test kit that covers ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate to monitor the cycle.

Thank you! So very helpful!

 

[KathyB1212]

Welcome!
No experience with AIO, however i do have a waterbox and love it! I'm a big fan of "curing" dry rock, however its not required and some prefer live rock. I simply placed dry rock in a brute can with a power head, unless its very cold I wouldn't even add a heater. There are plenty of wire management solutions available now.

Thanks! Super helpful!

 

[Cell]

Welcome to R2R! You'll get some good tips on this thread, but your best bet is probably to start a new thread for your questions separately or do a keyword search and check out other similar threads with the answers already given. Meet and Greet forum threads tend to be dominated by hello's and welcome's.

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[KathyB1212]

Thanks! Super helpful!

Ps - just saltwater enough to cover it all? Someone suggested putting in a dead shrimp?

 

[KathyB1212]

Welcome to R2R! You'll get some good tips on this thread, but your best bet is probably to start a new thread for your questions separately or do a keyword search and check out other similar threads with the answers already given. Meet and Greet forum threads tend to be dominated by hello's and welcome's.

Thanks for the insight. Super Helpful.

 

[KathyB1212]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

Thanks!

 

[KathyB1212]

Thank you! So very helpful!

Ps - what do you recommend for the ammonia source? Thanks

 

[j.falk]

Bottom rock? Do you mean base rock? Base rock is usually cheap dry rock that you place down and put live rock in on top of. Base rock will eventually become live once the things living on the live rock grow over on to it.