Starting A Marine Tank

[Squid]

Going to be a while before I go Marine, but a bit of reading never did anyone any harm. So.. i started by reading the pinned topic that told me to start there, and head off to topic number 1 - Starting a Marine Tank.

This topic seems to guide you through the equipement you need to buy, and suggests that you go the FO route before adding Live Rock. Is this a recommended route for anyone, or for somebody on a strict budget that would like to add rock slowly? I always thought (with little reading i might add) that you would get the live rock, and so the filtration sorted, then go and get your fish.

Cheers
Squid

 

[tat2life]

start of with a little bit of rock to start the spike so the cycle can begin, then add fish. u can just get a kilo or 2 of rock to begin with but you really should have it before you add fish.. its not a must but deffinatly the best way. the fish need places to sleep aswell like under rocks so it deff helps. i just buy a kilo or 2 every weekend and started of with 2 kilos before i added any fish.

 

[SkiFletch]

Well Squid, like many aspects of this hobby there are tons of ways to do it, all having their positives and negatives. I agree with tat2, adding some rock, kicking off the cycle, and then adding fish is probably the best bet. And if you're on a strict budget, go ahead and add rock slowly. Just remember, if you're far from the LFS and the rock is forced to stay out of water for significant time (30+ minutes), it might be best to cure/cycle the new rock in a bucket before adding it to your display once fish are in there

 

[chrissaysyes]

Your LFS may also be kind enough to give you enough water to submerge your rocks. I just now finished adding rock to my tank and until now have been keeping a 5gal bucket in my car in the event that I need to haul something large from the lfs.

 

[Squid]

Thanks..

I won't be doing anything for a while now, but I'm just reading bits step by step, and asking the questions as I go along.

Cheers
Squid