Interesting observations on starting a tank

[phil l]

Finally after years of thinking about setting up a saltwater tank, I took the plunge. Setting up a 37 gal high tank with Marineland 350 filter and Aquaclear powerhead with add on filter. Couple of interesting observations right off...bought an Aquapharm tap water DI maker to try it...thinking what the heck, might be cheaper than an RO machine to start. That was a mistake...after making 16 gallons the cartridge was used up..thats just not going to work...thank god Walmart has RO water cheap. Think I'll be going that route until I can purchase an RO unit. Will be adding a protein skimmer once my tank is cycled and I add livestock.
Set up the tank last night, painted the back a nice satin black, mixed the salt and started the filters and heater...hopefully in a day or two I'll have my salintiy and pH where I need them and can add my sand and live rock to start cycling the tank over the weekend.
Another observation, finding the good cheap sand is difficult..have hit two Home Depots and Lowes and Walmart with no luck yet. Unfortunately the Walmart I hit is going thru a remodel and doesnt have sand delivered yet..will have to try another, cause at 30 bucks for 20lbs of Agralive sand at the LFS is way too much.
Phil L

 

[diadema]

sounds like you're on your way!
Don't discount silica or crushed limestone sand. it works - maybe not quite as well as aragonite - but it's not the big huge mess that some people play it out to be.

 

[puffer32]

Try your local home depot.

 

[diadema]

Originally Posted by Phil L
have hit two Home Depots and Lowes and Walmart with no luck yet.
he did...

 

[mudplayerx]

The problem with regular play sand is 2 years down the road, the bottom layers tend to compact and turn hard like concrete.