Ready to start - but nervous as heck!

[Schteeve]

So I have a 6-foot tank with overflow & sump system all prepped and I'm ready to begin adding water. The steps I'm planning to follow are:

1) add RO/DI to display tank until it starts to flow down to the sump
2) continue filling until an appropriate amount of water is in the final compartment of the sump
3) turn on return pump, heater, skimmer, all lights and wavemakers to ensure the whole system is functional
4) leave running and monitor system for a day
5) turn off lights and skimmer, leave on pump and wavemakers
6) measure out an approximate amount of salt and dissolve it into the display tank
7) test water parameters and continue adding salt until correct salinity is achieved

and from that point I will continue with the cycling process and adding LR etc etc.

whats bothering me and making me so nervous so start is that adding the water is kind of the point of no return. if anything fails it could mean huge damage to house and furniture (I am insured but still...) and if something breaks then thats more time and money before i can finally start this project.

does anyone have a good checklist/hints & tips of things to check before i take this final leap? Please and thank you!

 

[ndrwater]

I'd give it a trial run with just a hose 1st. RODI is going to take quite a while. You can Find any leaks you may have sooner than later using just hose water. Plus its cheaper.
Other than that, I think your checklist is a pretty good one.
Best of luck, and definitely post up some pix!!!

Oh... Welcome to R2R!! You'll like it here!!
#WelcometoR2R

 

[GThompson]

Make sure the tank is level and sitting on the stand squarely and most importantly have fun setting it up and good luck

 

[BadFish619]

Welcome to R2R! Slow and steady wins the race!

 

[Hemmdog]

Welcome to reef2reef , take pictures!

 

[WHITEWOLF7417]

You want to add the rock before you fill the tank. If you fill thr tank first and then add rock you will have too much water.

 

[Schteeve]

True using RODI will take ages - but cost isnt that bad as I bought my own RODI unit

might seem like a silly question but.. how would i get the regular tap water back out of the tank again without making too much of a mess or fuss?

 

[Schteeve]

You want to add the rock before you fill the tank. If you fill thr tank first and then add rock you will have too much water.

Wouldn't everything on/in the rocks die if add RODI water to them without heating and salting the water first?

 

[WHITEWOLF7417]

Wouldn't everything on/in the rocks die if add RODI water to them without heating and salting the water first?

Yes but thats why you start with dead rock.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Nervous is adding livestock, not water. Do your fill with freshwater and run for about 3 days as i did with my newest tank. If all checks out, begin adding sst and allow wavemakers to mix it for you. Next day add your sand snd once tank clears up, add your rockwork.