help with starting a new tank

[carpe_diem]

im about to start up my 32g hex tank. im going to buy LS and LR and i need to know what filter/ph i should get. would it be the smart thing to add a ph to get the water circulated better? i also have an RO system in my house but only filters a gallon at a time and the rest of my house water is hooked up to a softwater system. i know RO is recommended and if i HAVE to use it, id probably go buy it at the store instead of filtering a gallon at a time. would my softwater be fine? what is the right way to start the cycling the water and how long would it take? is there any tester that can test most of the things in the water or do i need to buy a individual tester for each? my friend was saying i need to add buffer to the water as well, what is it for? i know most of you will wonder why i didnt do a search but i did and i just want to have everything verified. thanks.

 

[jjlittle]

Well I recommend doing Maxijet powerheads best for the money & I would only use the RO water nothing from tap reguardless.As for a filter if you add Live rock and have 1 to 1.5 pound per gal you will not need any filter just a protien skimmer.You wil neeed to get test kits for Ammonia / Nitrite/ Nitrate/ PH for sure then I recommend getting Alk/ kh / calcuim if your gonna have any corals. I dont recommend use of any buffer for buffering may help one thing but hurt another with proper weekly water changes you sjould be able to maintain ok. Just remember to take thing very slow and do you research would recommend getting a few books on the hobby as well they are very very helpful. As for the cycle time all tanks take different ammounts of time there is not set timw books would help you undertand what all will happen during this time and why you need to test and montior you water so you know when you are done with the process. Goood luck