3 first's

[09cobaltss]

First post, i have had a 55gal and 225 gal freshwater tanks. due to new home space restrictions and wanting to graduate to salt water, I have purchased a 29gal Bio-cube from a friend used. I is just the tank no chemicals fish or rock. in the back is 2 large green sponge type filters on the right side, in the middle is a heater and the left is the pump. I have been doing some reading but one thing I can not find is what to clean it with before I get stared? It has the purple hard stuff stuck to the back wall. I have no intention of adding water till feb1 so now I'm just collecting chemicals and supplies. Here is what I have planned tell me if I'm close..... live sand first then 25lb live rock. The nano kit ordered from this site after the tank stabilizes. I know there is many different opinions on what to put in the back as far as filtration goes. the previous owner just used the sponge filter thing that is still in there. he claimed it worked great for his 2 clown's and anemones, a starfish and a couple others. I was thinking about an octo, but their feeding would get expensive quick. this is going to be primarily a fish tank. I have been reading a bunch before making this purchase, and have good luck with my freshwater tanks.

 

[small triggers]

put the rock in and then the sand that way the rock is on the bottom incase you get any sanddigging fish they wont get chrushed.
as far as chemicals,,, dont worry about that until you get the tank up and going,,, i dont add anything but coral vital to my tank....
also,,, get some good books,, reading on here is a help but nothing can replace a good book when you have a question...
and have fun! and dont go to fast!!!

 

[the bro]

First off i dont think you would need any chemicals. Maybe some media like chemi-pure elite and purigen once the tank has cycled. As for cleaning dont use anything under the sink! Buy an algae scrapper and maybe a toothbrush for the stuff stuck on the sides. Maybe try wetting it down to soften it up scrape off what you can rinse and repeat.
As for sand i bought a 20 lb. bag and it just comes to the top of the bottom black plastic ring which gives you maybe a 1 inch sandbed. So if you want more then that throw in 1 1/2 to 2 bags of sand.
25 pounds LR will be perfect!

 

[09cobaltss]

I should have been ore specific when i meant chemicals, I was refering to a water test kit. A delux kit that way i can test for most anything. I already bought a salinity tester so I'm good there. I bought a digital timer to turn on and off the lights too. I have seen several posts about a skimmer in the back? I have also read several people who don't use them....
I never rush anything, no water for 2 more weeks, just more research.