[@rmyvet]

Originally Posted by toothybugs

While you're sorting out which equipment to get, you can get your live rock started cycling if you want something to do while the details get sorted out. Cycling will only require a tank, saltwater, heater, and a powerhead, so if you can get either your own RODI and salt mix or purchase premade saltwater, you can get started on cycling. It's a lengthy process so you might as well get on it, and it will give you a good few weeks before you need lights. I started my cycling without a sump and just kept the water level below my overflow. I kept the salinity in check with a piece of electrical tape inside the tank so I would know where to top off to, and when you have a sump and all ready to go, you can move the heaters etc down there. Just make some more saltwater up (if not purchasing it premade) to fill the volume and have at it.

I might be repeating previous thoughts here but I just started a tank up myself at the start of the year, and like I KNOW has been said, I bought my equipment in stages. I just wish I would have bought my RODI right away when I got the tank, instead of buying lighting and a skimmer first (which are not needed until you have livestock).

Have fun!

Toothybugs,
That's fine the more the merrier I don't think you can get enough information from chat forum because someone might not mention everything at the moment. I didn't think about doing that to the rock first. I will be getting the RODI first just need to find out what I'm going to use for storing the good water and the mix. That's a good idea with the tape so i know were to top off like what Shesacharmer had reply to me in a recent post and you just remind me of it so I'll keep that in mind. I read from MR Saltwater tank that it's not really necssary to have live rock just dead rock will do just because you won't bring into your tank critters that can make your life impossible and that eventually the rock will get its algae and turn to a purple tone in time. So is this true does dead rock exist because I try looking for it online and it just says live rock. And if the dead rock is correct do I have to cycle it as well or is that a step I can bypass. Now is sand just a generic thing or do I have to have a certain sand. Do I have to wash it leave it for day's to cure and when you have rock in the tank and the cycle is finish do I add the sand how does sand come in to play. Thank you for your input every little bit helps a lot. Thanks again. @rmyvet