Thoughts on my proposed Initial setup

Bremmon · 01/30/2008, 09:56 AM

I will be starting a 55 gallon reef but do not have funds to go into it in one fell swoop so I would like your thoughts on the following approach:

1) Initial setup of tank (Aquarium, sump, plumbing, lighting)
(No comment needed here)

Here is where it gets interesting:

2) Add live sand first
(I think I should be able to cycle the aquarium on this
initially. Don't think I really need my lighting turned on here
as I don't want algae growth just yet. Thoughts?).

Two to four weeks later:

3) Add half of my live rock - 55 lbs
(Light goes on at this point.)

Two to four weeks later:

4) Add algae cleaning crew.

Two to four weeks later:

5) Add last half of live rock.

One downside I can see to the above might be aquascaping with second half of rock but that may be minor.

Please let me know your thoughts on whether this will work or not. I am patient so extended time is not a problem. I would rather it come together in the end successfully.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

dsn112 · 01/30/2008, 10:06 AM

Sand and LR should go in at the same time. You want your tank to cycle as few times as possible. Adding the LR later will just extend your cycle.

Lights during cycle are up to you, they don't have to be on.

Clean up crew should only be added once cycle is complete. Only testing will tell when that is.

HumanIMDB · 01/30/2008, 10:43 AM

Don't waste your money on Live Sand...the dry stuff will become live from your live rock. Other than that, it looks good.

Ditto to what DSN said.

phenom5 · 01/30/2008, 11:24 AM

I agree with what's been said. I would...

Setup tank, sump, lights, etc. and add sand (not live) & water.

Add all your LR at once (even if you have to wait a little while until you can afford the entire amount).

Add cleanup crew once cycle is complete.

I've always run my light durning the cycle, but only for a few hours a day. Then I slowly increase the time that they are on once the cycle is complete.

Playa-1 · 01/30/2008, 02:28 PM

My 2 cents

1) Build the complete system except lighting.
2) Test the system for water leaks and run for a couple of days with fresh water and make sure everything is functioning properly.
Then drain the tank and let it set empty until you save enough money for your live rock, lighting and QT. This gives you time to research your lighting and think about future stocking. It also saves electricity.
3)Buy all the live rock and cycle the tank with live rock only.
During the cycle aquire you lighting and install.
4)After the cycle is complete Put in sand.
5)Give a couple days and perform a Large water change.
6) Start with a small clean up crew and add to it as needed and your ready to start your QT tank and prepare to stock.

01/30/2008, 09:56 AM	#1
Bremmon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 131	Thoughts on my proposed Initial setup I will be starting a 55 gallon reef but do not have funds to go into it in one fell swoop so I would like your thoughts on the following approach: 1) Initial setup of tank (Aquarium, sump, plumbing, lighting) (No comment needed here) Here is where it gets interesting: 2) Add live sand first (I think I should be able to cycle the aquarium on this initially. Don't think I really need my lighting turned on here as I don't want algae growth just yet. Thoughts?). Two to four weeks later: 3) Add half of my live rock - 55 lbs (Light goes on at this point.) Two to four weeks later: 4) Add algae cleaning crew. Two to four weeks later: 5) Add last half of live rock. One downside I can see to the above might be aquascaping with second half of rock but that may be minor. Please let me know your thoughts on whether this will work or not. I am patient so extended time is not a problem. I would rather it come together in the end successfully. Thanks in advance for your replies.

01/30/2008, 10:06 AM	#2
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	Sand and LR should go in at the same time. You want your tank to cycle as few times as possible. Adding the LR later will just extend your cycle. Lights during cycle are up to you, they don't have to be on. Clean up crew should only be added once cycle is complete. Only testing will tell when that is. __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

01/30/2008, 10:43 AM	#3
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	Don't waste your money on Live Sand...the dry stuff will become live from your live rock. Other than that, it looks good. Ditto to what DSN said. __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

01/30/2008, 11:24 AM	#4
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	I agree with what's been said. I would... Setup tank, sump, lights, etc. and add sand (not live) & water. Add all your LR at once (even if you have to wait a little while until you can afford the entire amount). Add cleanup crew once cycle is complete. I've always run my light durning the cycle, but only for a few hours a day. Then I slowly increase the time that they are on once the cycle is complete. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

01/30/2008, 02:28 PM	#5
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	My 2 cents 1) Build the complete system except lighting. 2) Test the system for water leaks and run for a couple of days with fresh water and make sure everything is functioning properly. Then drain the tank and let it set empty until you save enough money for your live rock, lighting and QT. This gives you time to research your lighting and think about future stocking. It also saves electricity. 3)Buy all the live rock and cycle the tank with live rock only. During the cycle aquire you lighting and install. 4)After the cycle is complete Put in sand. 5)Give a couple days and perform a Large water change. 6) Start with a small clean up crew and add to it as needed and your ready to start your QT tank and prepare to stock.