Almost Ready!

[tjs]

Hello everyone,
I joined a few weeks ago when I ordered my tank. It went on back order and I've been waiting and waiting to start up so I can wait and wait some more for the tank to mature.
Well, it's arriving today! It's a small set up. 40 gal. I've got 40 lbs of aragornite, seaflor super reef for substrate, a bio-wheel filter and the heater. I'll add my powerhead when I get the water. I'd like to get about 10 or 12 lbs of live rock soon and I'm wondering how much water displacement that will create. I don't think I need to top off the tank if I'll have to remove some when I add the rock. I plan on adding it as soon as the water and it's temp are ready.
I've had brackish tanks before and I'm very excited about going to saltwater. I'll probably have lots of questions as time goes by. Any suggestions about setting up will be appreciated.
Tracy

 

[wilsonreef]

Welcome to the boards. This is a great place to ask questions. Everyone here is willing to help in any way they can. Sounds like your headed in the right direction though.. You may want to look at investing in a little more live rock you will be surprised to find that 10 or 12 lbs of live rock isn't very much. You will probably need somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 to 50 lbs. Be sure to get you a good marine test kit to monitor when your tank spikes and then cycles out. You will need to get a hydrometer. As you will find here most people will tell you to steer away from the plastic hydrometers. If you can swing it you would be better off investing in a refractometer. This is an instrument that measures S.G. in water. Quite accurate and not really all that expensive. I paid around $38 for mine at the big auction site. But they do sell them at SWF as well. Keep us informed and let us know how things go....And remember PATIENCE, PATIENCE this is not a hobby to get in a hurry with. But it is quite rewarding.

 

[tjs]

Thanks, wilsonreef.
I just got some base rock to begin with. I'll be adding live rock later in the week. I won't be able to get 40 or 50 lbs all at once. I'll have to add some every couple of weeks until I have enough. I added the water and substrate last night and it was very cloudy. This morning it is almost clear. I'm already very happy with it. It's larger than I imagined for a 40 gal and with just the substrate and base rock it is a pleasure to look at.
I've got my test kits and have settled into the waiting period. I'm hoping that the live rock will help to jump start my bio-filter.