Substrate and start up questions

Please excuse my Noobiness, I have been wanting to do this for many years I am still planning my reef (eventually) tank.

Equipment I have:
6 Stage RO/DI 100G per day
45g 36Lx12Wx24H Tank with built in overflow tank drilled in back
Vertex N100 Skimmer
36” Coralife 4x39W w/ Lunar Blue LED 10,000K and Actinic
Saltwater Refractometer


Equipment I need / am thinking of purchasing:
2 - Hydor Koralia 750GPH Powerhead
1 - Hydor Koralia 550GPH Powerhead
1- 300W Titanium heater w/ remote stat (in sump)
Test kits yet to be determined
30g 3 chamber sump 1st chamber w/skimmer, 2nd chamber Live rock w/ Live sand (is there any benefit to adding live sand without doing a DSB w/ the LR in in sump), 3rd chamber w/bubble trap return to DT. Sump is being built by friend at work.
1-Pump for return yet to be determined
Salt (would love some input on what brand you guys would recommend)
50 Pound box Key Largo Rock (dry) from www.marcorocks.cm

Wish list:
ATO, Controllers, Wave Makers, Chiller, blah blah blah in time patience is key.

Once I complete my need list can I start up my tank in the following way:

Tank and sump in stand w/skimmer plumbed and ready to go. Add premixed saltwater to tank w/approx. 40 -50 lbs Live Sand for roughly a 2in depth and 50 - 60 lbs dry Marco Rock with 5 -10 lbs Live Rock to seed dry rock. Powerheads in place.
Is it possible to put all this into place and let the dry rock cure in the tank and will the tank eventually cycle to the point where I can add livestock. If I have Live rock in the sump w/Live Sand if beneficial do I need a light for the sump. 300W heater will be in sump.

I am very patient and am in no way in a rush to add livestock to the tank I want the rock to cure properly and the tank to fully cycle.


I am looking to use Caribsea Arag-Alive Bahamas Oolite Substrate for my 2” bed

Also I was wondering about covering the tank is it a good idea I have heard differing opinions on the subject. I will have a canopy on top as well.

I am aware of livestock limitations due to the size of my tank, I will not be overcrowding it with large fish such as blue tangs and large angels and such.
I will be adding livestock very slowly and not in many numbers at once.
Eventually I would like to add some hardy corals suitable for a beginner.

Thanks for any input

 

you have been doing some research I can see..
Everything I see on there will be fine to get up and going.. The rock will become live and cycle over a short period just throw a couple live pieces in to help the process..
One thing I would reccommendis I would run the sump barebottom , it will save you headaches later , the liverock in it will be fine but I would not throw the sand in the sump..the only cover if you want one would be one of netting to keep anything from jumping out no glass tops..
good luck and yes patience is the key

 

+1 Marcah

 

+1 on Bare bottom sump, makes it very easy to clean.

just check measurements on your cabinet if you can fit that 30g under your DT. make sure you have enough height to clean.

2 suggestions:

- Pick up a spare Heater

- Think about using a small personal clip fan rather than the chiller you have listed.

Good Luck!!! sounds like you have a great plan in place.