order of set up.

[meadbhb]

Hiya,
This may seem like a really basic question, but I was wondering what's the best way to set up a reef.
substrate, water, rock?
Do I run the filter and protien skimmer during set up? Wait a day so that everything settles, or after I have it set up?
Thanks! :happyfish

 

[bigarn]

Yes....add the substrate, LR and water first and let your tank cycle. I would keep the skimmer off until the cycle is complete.
Good Luck!

 

[lion_crazz]

Put the substrate, water, and live rock in your tank first. Your tank may be a bit cloudy for a few days, but this is normal. Then, once you have the water in the tank, start running the filter, but leave off the protein skimmer. Following the addition of the filter, your tank will begin cycling, and depending on what you are using to cycle your tank, it may cycle for 4-8 weeks. Check your water parameters weekly to see where your ammonia, nitrate, nitrites, and pH are. No fish can into your tank until both your ammonia and nitrites are at 0, your pH is at 8.0-8.3, and the nitrates have begun to form. Once your tank is done cycling, then start running the protein skimmer.
Good luck, and feel free to ask any questions that you would like!

 

[meadbhb]

Hiya,
Was out of town this weekend, so won't get to set up until tomorrow.
Thanks for the info on the skimmer and filter set up times. Hubby was happy to know he'll have a few more days of quiet.

Meadbhb

 

[salty cheese]

You can use the garbage bag trick to keep the sand storm down. Put the sand in and lay a gb over it, add the water slowly until it's about half full and remove the bag, add the rock and add the rest of the water slowly.

 

[meadbhb]

Hiya,
Wish I'd read this before I started. Oh, well, by morning the sand storm will have passed. Then I get to play with my rock!
:happy:
Meadbhb