New to the hobby need experienced reef keepers advice.

[Darklordzulu]

Hey everyone. New to reef central even though ive been here to read things alot 😂. I am also new to saltwater aquariums in general. I just started about 19 days ago. But i have done over several months of research. I bought a aquatop 24 gallon rimless tank package here is the link of the tank. So its been 19 days since cycling with 12 pounds man made live rock and a 20 pound bad of caribsea live sand. Im doing a fishless cycle and was thinking the sand and rock will cycle it. My main question is ive been having floating particles in my tank being.pushed around by the power head and.floating on the top of the water. I know its not micro bubbles and it really doesnt seem like the sand it being blown around at all. Ill post pictures ofmy tank. Im using just the standard equipment that it came with for the sump. Should i just change the sponge to a fine filter sock? I also would like to know of a good place for my power head for the best possible flow ive been moving it around but not sure if ive found the spot. I also have a marineland 150 watt heater in the back of the sump the tank has been a steady 76.6 to 76.9 the past few days . I also have a green machine uv sterilizer in the front of the tank. Ph is 8.2 ammonia less than .05 maybe even .00 hard to tell with test kit . No nitrite or nitrates. Anything else im missing just let me no. Sorry about the picture showing the particles it just looks like blurs on the top of the water. thanks for the help in advance 😄https://www.aquatop.com/products/rec...=4697366691872

[mcgyvr]

Some particulate in a new tank setup is totally normal..
It should just get filtered out or you can just skim it out with a cup or even paper towel.

If you actually started the tank with "live rock" (meaning you purchased it locally from a store that had it in saltwater curing and kept it wet/moist) then you may have little to no cycle at all and your cycle is likely over/done and you can start adding fish/clean up crew,etc... whenever you want..

As for powerhead locations.. Thats really just something you need to try and see how the flow looks and ensure its not blowing all your sand around and just stick with it.. There is no "perfect spot" and you being in front of the tank can guess far better than any of us can not being there seeing how the water reacts..

Welcome to RC.. Enjoy..