Make sure you do a long leak test on that nano.....pumps? heater? temps? All OK?
For your 12:
-make sure all your equipment, pumps, wires, drip loops, GFCI are all set to go
-check stand..level....leave room to get arms and hands around/behind tank....floor protection? that baby is gonna be almost 250lbs..pick your spot well
There are many ways to do this. I chose to mix water/salt in tank; remove a third prior to aquascaping and save
-add LR directly to the bottom for base...add sand around it (prevents shifting)
-aquascape and fill in with more sand if needed
-topoff with the reserved sw
-cycling begins
After settling, you can turkey baste off the LR, epoxy if unstable...you'll probably rearrange a dozen or more times.
7. When CYCLE ends, and, you do your first 25% water change, THEN add the cleanup crew AFTER diatoms/algae appear (about 4-7 days). Try not to add the crew until you get your nitrates below 10ppm.
GO SLOW. I'd add the chaeto after your tank settles in. When you add your fish, your bioload begins and the chaeto can probably go in about then.
During cycling, I have no problems with the stock carbon and a sponge to catch all the loose crap. I'd leave in the sponge until everything is dusted off, cycled, etc. Then I'd ditch the carbon and sponge and add ChemiPure, a phosphate binder of your choice and any other media you wish to run. I have started trying something new....I put filter fiber in chamber one and change it 1-2X per week. Seems to do OK..gets detritus out without letting it hang out long enough to break down into nitrates. SH
For your 12:
-make sure all your equipment, pumps, wires, drip loops, GFCI are all set to go
-check stand..level....leave room to get arms and hands around/behind tank....floor protection? that baby is gonna be almost 250lbs..pick your spot well
There are many ways to do this. I chose to mix water/salt in tank; remove a third prior to aquascaping and save
-add LR directly to the bottom for base...add sand around it (prevents shifting)
-aquascape and fill in with more sand if needed
-topoff with the reserved sw
-cycling begins
After settling, you can turkey baste off the LR, epoxy if unstable...you'll probably rearrange a dozen or more times.
7. When CYCLE ends, and, you do your first 25% water change, THEN add the cleanup crew AFTER diatoms/algae appear (about 4-7 days). Try not to add the crew until you get your nitrates below 10ppm.
GO SLOW. I'd add the chaeto after your tank settles in. When you add your fish, your bioload begins and the chaeto can probably go in about then.
During cycling, I have no problems with the stock carbon and a sponge to catch all the loose crap. I'd leave in the sponge until everything is dusted off, cycled, etc. Then I'd ditch the carbon and sponge and add ChemiPure, a phosphate binder of your choice and any other media you wish to run. I have started trying something new....I put filter fiber in chamber one and change it 1-2X per week. Seems to do OK..gets detritus out without letting it hang out long enough to break down into nitrates. SH
Looks like I had a few things a bit backwards. I have also decided to go with Oceanic salt mix as you did as opposed to the catalina water. I have no idea where to find it and it seems the Oceanic gets good reviews.
in your tank, try and get them out as and when you see them.
Kill 
