The sound of perseverance: Assorted n00b questions.

[bladedrummer]

Hello everyone,

I'm not a brand new member on this forum but I've been lurking for months.

After getting all excited about starting my own saltwater tank and getting the vast majority of my equipment, I ran into a few economical set-backs and I had to put the whole project on hold. It was really hard not to just give it up altogether and sell everything. But here I am!

I've managed to recoup and now I'm looking to start my tank and in need of advice. On some things I already know what I want to do, on others, I have no clue. Especially on the logistics of the whole process.

Tank overlook:

a) 75 gallon saltwater tank.
b) Looking to establish a deep sand bed and I already know what kind of sand I want, how much and I have the budget for it.
c) Probably going to start out as FOWLR for now.
d) Want/need live rock, probably around 1.5lbs/gallon. I might buy that and the sand from one of the sponsors on here.
e) HOB refugium (I know it's not the best, but it's what I have). I have some miracle mud and rubble in it from the previous owner, is it useless by now?
f) Skimmer, pump, powerheads, wave maker, phosban reactor (got it for 10 bucks so why not?), heaters, thermometer, assorted water test kits, a bucket of salt and awesome LED lighting I bought in a group buy through JohnnyAirtime (amazing member of this community btw);
g) RO/DI unit;
h) I'm probably forgetting some stuff, you'll have to bear with me.

I'll explain where I am:

1) I have my RO/DI set up and ready to. I need to plug it into my garden hose and test out if it works. Filters are new, I replaced them all, TDS meter has new batteries;
2) I have the aquarium and stand in my living room, clean but not super-mega-sparkling clean;
3) I have a few containers for RODI water, not many tbh;
4) I have no idea what I'm doing next.
5) Idea: clean everything, get some RO/DI water going and mix the water in a mid-sized plastic container I have or directly into the aquarium, buy the sand and rock and cycle the tank. (ofc this is gonna be completely wrong )

If anyone has any advice it would be appreciated.

P.S.: I probably need some chaeto too. Maybe buy new miracle mud for the HOB ref.

[bladedrummer]

Reserved.

[50 cube]

Where are yo located? I have chaeto for you, if your near Escondido I woul be happy to help you set it up.

[XO PRESENTS]

Hello bud.. exactly what do you need advice for? Everyone on SDR will help!!!

[bladedrummer]

Cool, thanks for the offer on the chaeto. I'm in SD (Genesee ave.).

Well this is my first concern: should I mix the water and salt directly in the tank? There is nothing in it right now. I don't have enough space for a big enough container to mix it separately all at once... I was thinking hook everything up (refugium, pumps and all) and then put RODI water and the salt in it and let it run until the salt is dissolved completely and I have the right salinity, then add the live sand and rock. I do see that this could create quite a bit of issues. Maybe put live rock and sand together with the RODI water and then the salt?

As you can see, I'm confused about this step.

[50 cube]

That would work. Only drawback would be installing the sand, could create cloudy water for a couple days till it settles down. Again, mixing in the tank would work. Mix, install sand, wait until it clears then add rock.

[XO PRESENTS]

If you got the time.. and buckets... I would just go to Scripts for the moment.. starting off... then if you want to mix..that would be great... I am sure others will give you better advice.. but I have been through it too many times... good luck.. feel free to PM me brother...

[50 cube]

Three ways to go about it. Mix then use scripps, start with scripps then mix, go scripps from the start. I've always used the first option. Oops, fourth option, start with mix & stick with it.

[DaveMorris]

You will want to hold off on the chaeto and stuff like that until the tank has been up and running for a while. Chaeto will need nutrients and if the tank is run correctly it will take a little while to get it going. Just be patient. That is the best piece of advice I can give.

[50 cube]

+1 on what Dave said, reef keeping IS like race car driving, the faster you go, the harder you crash.

[bladedrummer]

Alright, well I'm not about going fast. I have patience. I'm going to mix everything in my tank and then add sand, then the rock.

Question: should I go for a lower salinity at first because the sand and rock might drive it higher than I want it to be?

Or should I just do 1.025-1.026 from the get go and then add sand and rock on top of that?

Thanks for all the info!!! I appreciate the help!

[50 cube]

Nope, set the salinity correct from the start

[DaveMorris]

And don't forget when you add the sand and rock that it will displace some of the water.

[50 cube]

When are you going to start setting up?

[bladedrummer]

If my RO/DI unit works as intended (I just replaced the filters and membrane) I want to start tomorrow. I might go and buy the sand and keep it in my apartment while I mix the water and set everything up and then go get the rocks early next week.