docholiday
Reefing newb
Hello Everybody,
I've been lurking on these boards for quite sometime while I was doing all my research before making my tank purchase. I figured it was finally time to pick everyone's brain for a couple of quick questions.
My setup is going to be a red sea max with 55lbs of live rock and a 4"-5" deep sand bed.
I was initially going to purchase live rock to cure in my tank but during negotiation agreed to purchase the lfs cured rock for only $1.00 more/lb than the uncured. The advantage being I am able to pick whatever size shape density etc. that I want. This leads me to my 1st question: Since his live rock is cured and I am using a DSB do I need to add a peice of frozen shrimp or something to force a cycle to help develop the anerobic (sp) bacteria and to help stabalize the tank or will the live sand and any small die off during transport home/initial setup be enough to help stabalize the tank?
My second question has to do with creating flow in the tank. The red sea max comes with 2 powerheads right next to each other (realize that this may not be the most ideal setup, but it's what I got). I'm just verifying that the goal is to create an even flow of water through the tank trying to eliminate any deadspots. Is there anything else I should be aware of other than this basic rule?
My third and question (for this round) is for the initial setup should I mix the water in the tank - as the manual suggests (only because it's the 1st time)? My plan was to mix the water outside the tank and then put the live sand in the bottom of the tank pouring the water onto a plate on the sand.
My final question is whether or not I should add the live rock at the initial setup or give the tank a day or two to settle?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm sure the guy at the LFS can answer them but I like to double check my sources.
-Steve
I've been lurking on these boards for quite sometime while I was doing all my research before making my tank purchase. I figured it was finally time to pick everyone's brain for a couple of quick questions.
My setup is going to be a red sea max with 55lbs of live rock and a 4"-5" deep sand bed.
I was initially going to purchase live rock to cure in my tank but during negotiation agreed to purchase the lfs cured rock for only $1.00 more/lb than the uncured. The advantage being I am able to pick whatever size shape density etc. that I want. This leads me to my 1st question: Since his live rock is cured and I am using a DSB do I need to add a peice of frozen shrimp or something to force a cycle to help develop the anerobic (sp) bacteria and to help stabalize the tank or will the live sand and any small die off during transport home/initial setup be enough to help stabalize the tank?
My second question has to do with creating flow in the tank. The red sea max comes with 2 powerheads right next to each other (realize that this may not be the most ideal setup, but it's what I got). I'm just verifying that the goal is to create an even flow of water through the tank trying to eliminate any deadspots. Is there anything else I should be aware of other than this basic rule?
My third and question (for this round) is for the initial setup should I mix the water in the tank - as the manual suggests (only because it's the 1st time)? My plan was to mix the water outside the tank and then put the live sand in the bottom of the tank pouring the water onto a plate on the sand.
My final question is whether or not I should add the live rock at the initial setup or give the tank a day or two to settle?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm sure the guy at the LFS can answer them but I like to double check my sources.
-Steve