I have some more question... forgive me :)

[MSwift]

So I will be moving my tank into the house this Saturday if all goes as planned!!!!

Couple of things I need help with pls

1) What is the easeist way to make about 250 gallons of salt water -225 for the tank and about 30 for the sump (another note would it help to get some already cycled water maybe from some people on here to help cycle the tank)

2) Who do you guys get your sand from? (same as about will cycled sand help as well)

3) Anyone have any cycled LR I could buy off of them I could use to help cycle my tank?

4) I went to Liquid Kingdom to go browse (they have awesome prices BTW and a SWEET niger trigger I want!) and they said they always cycle there tanks with fish, something cheap like damsels or something, I always did this with fresh water but thought it was a no no for salt..... what do you guys do?

5) Can I cycle my tank WITHOUT a skimmer?

6) Can I cycle my tank WITHOUT wavemakers

7) Anyone close to the Northglenn area want to help move a tank :anonymous:


*****Sorry for all the questions... forgive me I'm just a noob lol :distress::confused-new:

 

[ShelbyJK500]

...

So I will be moving my tank into the house this Saturday if all goes as planned!!!!

Couple of things I need help with pls

1) What is the easeist way to make about 250 gallons of salt water -225 for the tank and about 30 for the sump (another note would it help to get some already cycled water maybe from some people on here to help cycle the tank)

So, the "best" way IMO to do that large of a tank is to fill it with RO and then add the salt to the SG level you want. That's what I did with my system since it's over 500g. It took about 4 days of the RO system working 24 hours or so to fill the tanks. Then I added salt in the sump and let it mix for awhile. With your size tank Mike, I definitely think an RO system is in order. It is truly the best purchase you can make in the hobby (especially with a sizable tank)

Cycled water isn't necessary. I only like using it with fish in QT as it's gentler on them rather than new saltwater.

2) Who do you guys get your sand from? (same as about will cycled sand help as well)

I would definitely go with new sand or wash out someones old sand, then just seed it with a bit of live.

3) Anyone have any cycled LR I could buy off of them I could use to help cycle my tank?

I don't have anything big that would probably suit your tank. I'll double check though.

4) I went to Liquid Kingdom to go browse (they have awesome prices BTW and a SWEET niger trigger I want!) and they said they always cycle there tanks with fish, something cheap like damsels or something, I always did this with fresh water but thought it was a no no for salt..... what do you guys do?

Cycling with "cheap" fish is one way many people cycle a tank. Many think it isn't the most "ethical" way to treat fish. That said, most that I know of (including myself) put some shredded raw shrimp or any organic that breaks down, into the tank to get the bacteria colonies going.

5) Can I cycle my tank WITHOUT a skimmer?

Absolutely, I didn't get my skimmer online for about 6 weeks after the tank was running.

6) Can I cycle my tank WITHOUT wavemakers

Yup

7) Anyone close to the Northglenn area want to help move a tank :anonymous:

LOL...I'll get in touch with you if I can help out on Saturday. Playing things by ear right now.

*****Sorry for all the questions... forgive me I'm just a noob lol :distress::confused-new:

 

[MSwift]

Thanks Evan I have been shopping around for an RO system.... and I dont need pieces big enough to make a reef wall now I just wanted some rock to help with cycling

 

[CRW Reef]

Fyi Cris Capp from aquatic art sells 220g worth of Kent marine salt for I like $45 a 220g box. You'll need 2 boxes so for around $100 for 440g worth you can't beat it anywhere.

 

[MSwift]

Ya that is an awesome deal on water!! Where is he located?

 

[Zooid]

If you want a quick cycle, take a look at this stuff.

http://store.drtimsaquatics.com/One...Bacteria-for-Reef-and-Nano-Aquaria-_p_96.html

I've never used it but I've heard great things about it....it's really expensive but if it's as good as I hear, it would be worth it.
No seeding with unknown sand or live rock. I wouldn't bother with used saltwater...just make up new stuff. I'd use new sand and new rock too.

 

[CRW Reef]

Ya that is an awesome deal on water!! Where is he located?

Just north of Santa Fe and highlands ranch pkwy in highlands ranch. Pm me your number if your interested. Aquatic Art is right by my house and I can could grab some and maybe meet you off airport and I70 one of these days.

 

[fiji4118]

+1 for Cris C. His ro water is reasonable as well

 

[SteveT]

If you want a quick cycle, take a look at this stuff.

http://store.drtimsaquatics.com/One...Bacteria-for-Reef-and-Nano-Aquaria-_p_96.html

I've never used it but I've heard great things about it....it's really expensive but if it's as good as I hear, it would be worth it.
No seeding with unknown sand or live rock. I wouldn't bother with used saltwater...just make up new stuff. I'd use new sand and new rock too.

I just heard about this Dr. Tim's stuff a few weeks ago, looks really cool. Apparently all the "bacteria in a bottle" companies were selling the wrong species of bacteria that were used in water treatment plants and consume ammonia and nitrites only in large concentrations. Which is why a lot of people will say the bacteria in a bottle method doesn't work. This guy Dr. Tim discovered this different type of nitrification bacteria that live in our marine systems and consume waste in much lower concentrations. He claims to have cycled 1000+ gallon commercial aquariums by dumping this stuff in and then lightly stocking the tank with fish minutes later.