SeahorseKeeper
Where's the mysis?
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Your main filtration will be the live rock. For added filtration, look into protein skimmers. The best ones go in a sump. Reef Octopus is a good brand to start with. To start, you will need tests for ammonia, nitrite,nitrates. After, you will want tests for Alk, MG, and Calcium. The best brands IMO are salifert and Red Sea. Buying all live rock can be awfully expensive. Dry rock is rock that has never seen water or was cleaned after use. Dry rock is very much cheaper and will eventually become live. You can get rock from a lfs, craigslist, local reefers or online.
After your tank is setup with saltwater, sand and rock, you add an ammonia source. You can use a dead cocktail shrimp or pure ammonia. You will want to do tests for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. Ammonia will convert to nitites, then to nitrates. Once you have 0 ammonia AND nitrites, do a water change to reduce your nitrates. Then, you can start adding your CUC.
Great advice there!! I like to add dry rock to avoid some of the unwanted hitchhikers that can come in on live rock like aiptasia or evil crabs that eat fish.