Starting BIG

[pauly k]

I currently ordered a 210 gal tank 72x24x30h. It has 2 corner overflows. I was wondering the following:
1. crushed coral or sand
2.how much live rock/ base rock to add.(price purposes what percentage of live is enough.
3.uv sterilization/size if needed
4.Can I add all together rock, sand, water: to mature the water before fish and how long before I add fish
Im planning on making aggresive w/ zebra moray any tips or suggestions would be appreciated

 

[seannmelly]

many diff people have there own opinion but id go with sand cc holds nitrates. i run a uv some dont id spen the money and get 1. id go with atleast 25 watt. yes add everything at once so it will cycle.

 

[patandlace]

Definately sand. For live rock you should get 1-2 lbs per gallon. If you want to you could get half live rock half base rock. Add the rock,water and sand then wait for the tank to cycle. When the ammonia and nitrite spike then drop to zero you are ready to add fish. Could take a month or two.

 

[taznut]

go with sand... dont quote me on this but i dont think it matters how much lr you have compared to base rock as long as you have some lr... the less lr you have the longer i believe you are going to have to wait for the cycle to happen... remember, use a dead shrimp to cycle and not live fish... i would mix and airate (sp?) the water for a couple days in the tank before adding any sand or lr...
no idea about the uv starilizations....

 

[azaintcold]

Mix water by itself, either in the tank with nothing else, or in seperate container... I was unclear if you knew this or not, but I'd rather save you the trouble.

Sand, not crushed coral.

 

[dfurbee]

Live sand, not crushed coral!! I learned the hard way, now my tank has live sand

 

[myrtle beach]

You can seed your sand with some live sand, but you don't need to buy all live sand, that will be pricey.
Fish suggestions: leapord grouper, puffer, triggers, angels, will all get along. Look at a compatability chart. Aggressive tanks can be expensive, fish wack each other, and how are you gonna stick you hand in there without worrying about getting a bite?