Now What Should I Do?

[ratm]

Happy Saturday! After doing some research on setting up my first tank I came to find I have an electricial issue (that requires an electrician) in my house. I'm expecting it's going to take some time to get quotes, get some out to my house etc to do the project. Maybe a month or longer.

I'm trying to brainstorm on some things I can learn and do in the mean time. First thing I thought was getting the stuff for a QT tank and learning the cycling process, getting comfortable with water changes, making salt water etc. Then I read that you do not need to cycle your QT tank and can just use water from the DT tank (assuming there is no outbreak or the DT is not contaminated) so I thought the aforementioned would be a waste of time. (I'm a bit confused here on if you should or should not be cycling you QT when you first get it set up)

I bought a TDS meter to measure my tap so I know which staged RODI system to get it and learn how to use that. Other than buying my tank and assembling stuff is there anything else I can be doing to get me prepared for my first tank? I'm reading forums and watching youtube regularly but something more hands on would benefit me in this learning curve. I appreciate your time, thank you

 

[lapin]

Then I read that you do not need to cycle your QT tank and can just use water from the DT tank (assuming there is no outbreak or the DT is not contaminated)

You need to cycle the QT tank or do big water changes every few days. The bacteria that breaks down ammonia lives on rock and sand not in the water

 

[Dbichler]

Do yourself a favor and get a hold of your water report for your area. That will tell you more than just TD’s. Wether you need chloramine busters etc. You can basically set up a qt for as long as you want or willing to keep doing water changes. Cycling only takes a week now with bottle back so no big deal just dose ammonia and let the bacteria do it’s job and your ready to go

 

[Jekyl]

You can put together your aquascape and start your cycle now. Just assemble the rocks how you want, then transfer them into brute cans with your saltwater and a powerhead and heater. By the time you set everything up and are ready to go your rocks will already be cycled and you can add some fish as soon as your water is clear

 

[lavoisier]

I keep my QT bare, no rock, no sand. (Some pvc pipe should be used for hiding places It would not need to be cycled. Use a powerhead in the QT for circulation and a large sponge for biological filtration. (After you medicate, the sponge can be discarded and another put in. When your system is up and running you can keep a new sponge in your sump to have it full of bacteria). You should be able to get by with weekly 20% water changes to keep parameters in line. Add fresh water daily to mitigate evaporation. Some folks will add an air pump and stone to create surface agitation.

 

[salty joe]

You might consider having the electrician install several GFI outlets in parallel. That way, if something trips a GFI it won't shut down everything.