Phase I Tank Start-up - Thoughts / Advice??

[NJBillyV]

Hello all,

So I'm building a Reefer 170 which I plan to make into a reef tank with a few cool fish.

I'd like to get it going but don't have the Protein Skimmer, Reactor, or Light yet (budget).

I do have: Dry Sand, Dry Rock, and and heater. I also have a Purple Fire Fish and YWG in QT.

The plan: Build / glue the rock, add the rinsed sand, add water, add a bottle of Dr. Tims and get that baby running without a filter sock.

When it's fully cycled I'll move my two fish over and add the rest of the equipment as I go.

Am I missing anything? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[BlennyTime]

Looks good! Check Facebook marketplace and craigslist for parts, there’s all sorts of good stuff out there from people who have to give up the hobby for one reason or another.

Cycling may take a little longer with dry rock/sand, but others have done it successfully. Lots of great resources in the pinned threads.

 

[dank reefer]

Sounds like you have a good plan to start off with.

The skimmer might be the first piece that I would get from your list of needed items as you will need to start skimming once you add fish in your tank. You can go without a light if all your going to have in the tank are fish for now. Reactor would be the last thing I would get.

Good luck on your Journey

 

[Auqaman]

Sounds good. Take your time auqascaping, it's a really fun portion of the hobby. I used a chisel and hammer with 3/8 acrylic rod for structural support. Drilled holes into the rock then super glued the rods in.
I'd get the lights first. The faster you get through the ugly stage the faster you'll have a great looking tank. good luck

 

[NJBillyV]

Sounds good. Take your time auqascaping, it's a really fun portion of the hobby. I used a chisel and hammer with 3/8 acrylic rod for structural support. Drilled holes into the rock then super glued the rods in.
I'd get the lights first. The faster you get through the ugly stage the faster you'll have a great looking tank. good luck

Thanks for all the good advice I appreciate it. I like your aquascaping method, I'm definitely going to take my time and do it right. After all, if everything goes well I'm going to be looking at it for years. I'm debating what to buy next, skimmer or lights, but now I'm thinking maybe UV sterilizer, I'm majorly OCD and algae bothers the heck out of me.