So far I have been told that I can mix the salt and water in the tank because it is the first time, but I cant do it after the first.
--> You are right that you can not mix the water and salt after the first time. the salt mix may not dissolve completely also you may make a mistake on your amount and totally screw up your salinity and kill your fish.
I have also been told that I should add sand first because it will minimize clouding.
--> My personal opinion is that you have your bag of sand on the bottom of your tank and then fill it up half way with premixed water. then slit the end of the bag and carefully pull so that the sand just slides onto the bottom. then take a large measuring cup and carefully add water from your bucket of premixed salt water by dipping the cup halfway into the tank water and then tipping the water into the aquarium. I find this is to be the best method and while it is time consuming it does seem to minimize clouding.
Also, I have been told that I will need a protein skimmer and a heater. I understand the skimmer but I live in south FL and it is about 80 every day so I think I'm gonna wait a little while on that but I am lookin for a skimmer.
--> If you have a DX you should not need a protein skimmer. Replace the stock pump with something like a maxi-jet 400. then replace the bioballs and ceramic ring with live rock rubble. Cycle you tank for a few weeks and check your temperature to make sure it is ideal. Also you may not think you need a heater now, but in the winter you may change your tune when your tank drops 4 degrees and all your fish are dead. I live and Texas and we get triple digits. I still have a heater.
I have been told that I will need a reverse osmosis kit. Is this true? It sounds good but im low on budget so I'm not sure if I will be able to get one yet. I will probably just dechlorinize the water until my budget fills back up.
--> All an RO system does is purify your water. So you really do not need to spend the money on one unless you have a large system that requires large water changes. My suggestion to you (as a newbie) is to go to your lfs and get premixed water. normally it is less than a dollar a gallon. if you do a 10% water change every week you spend less than 12 dollars a month and you are assured of the water quality (that is if you like the way the store operates).
Also, due to my budget problem, does anyone know if it will be ok to buy some rock now and more later? or must I wait and buy it all at once.
--> If you get rock that is completely cured then you can get some now and some later. however if you get rock that is not completely cured it would be better to get all of the rock at once and cure it in your tank as it cycles. Another reason to get it all at one time is that as you cycle your water, benificial bacteria can speed up the process and allow for a larger bioload.
also DO NOT PUT LIVE STOCK IN UNTIL YOUR TANK HAS CYCLED. I would wait a month and constantly monitor your water quality
hope this helps. Please post picture of your progress. I am getting my own 24 cube dx in a couple of weeks. Also if someone who has more experiance has any discrepancies, post them so I can correct my process when i get my own cube.
Harial
