I've been making a plan in my head on how to cycle our new to us 46 gallon bow front tank. I have also formulated many questions and I want to know if I'm on the right track. Opinions and suggestions are welcomed.
I have decided that one of our investments will have to be a good rodi system because we definitely have chloramine in our water. I have thoroughly reviewed our water report online. When you mix up your saltwater to fill the tank, do you do it in individual 5 gallon buckets, test, then add to tank? I am wanting to have corals when I feel the tank is stable. Should I start with regular Instant Ocean or go ahead and get something reef specific? I do understand that minerals will need to be added back to the water after using the rodi system. Is the salt going to be sufficient for that purpose?
My husband has decided that he wants to use CaribSea Oolite Ocean Direct Live Reef Sand. I am concerned that it might be too fine and im guessing you do not need to rinse it because you would rinse off any good stuff. I read info saying to rinse it.
I am considering CaribSea Dry Base Live Rock and was thinking 60lbs could possibly be enough. Will live sand be enough to seed the good bacteria with this rock in the tank? Or would it be a good idea to use DrTims One and Only also? I am doing a fishless cycle so do I need to add ammonia to the tank?
I would like to get coralline algae started on my rocks. Do I wait to add this after the cycling is complete or do it during the cycle?
During the cycle, I know I need to test ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. I'm still working on figuring out what my levels should be during the cycle. I have this kit in mind to keep an eye on those numbers and plan on tracking in my handy dandy notebook.
Thank you so much for your time and letting me pick y'alls brains. Lol
I have decided that one of our investments will have to be a good rodi system because we definitely have chloramine in our water. I have thoroughly reviewed our water report online. When you mix up your saltwater to fill the tank, do you do it in individual 5 gallon buckets, test, then add to tank? I am wanting to have corals when I feel the tank is stable. Should I start with regular Instant Ocean or go ahead and get something reef specific? I do understand that minerals will need to be added back to the water after using the rodi system. Is the salt going to be sufficient for that purpose?
My husband has decided that he wants to use CaribSea Oolite Ocean Direct Live Reef Sand. I am concerned that it might be too fine and im guessing you do not need to rinse it because you would rinse off any good stuff. I read info saying to rinse it.
I am considering CaribSea Dry Base Live Rock and was thinking 60lbs could possibly be enough. Will live sand be enough to seed the good bacteria with this rock in the tank? Or would it be a good idea to use DrTims One and Only also? I am doing a fishless cycle so do I need to add ammonia to the tank?
I would like to get coralline algae started on my rocks. Do I wait to add this after the cycling is complete or do it during the cycle?
During the cycle, I know I need to test ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. I'm still working on figuring out what my levels should be during the cycle. I have this kit in mind to keep an eye on those numbers and plan on tracking in my handy dandy notebook.
Thank you so much for your time and letting me pick y'alls brains. Lol
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