Last Minute Check Before I Fill It!

wantvws

AC Members
Jul 15, 2007
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Waynesboro, VA
I am getting ready to fill my 210g tank this weekend. Here is my list of what I have (pics here)
Tank (duh)
Amiracle wet/dry filter w/bio balls and Eheim 1250 return pump
2x MJ 1200 powerheads
Koralia 3 powerhead (thanks for the pointer, Grins)
Magnum 350 canister filter
Coralife Super Skimmer
2 300w heaters
80lbs Aragonite (the larger stuff) and 30lbs Aragonite (sugar sized)
What I'm going to buy tomorrow....
Test kit
40-60lbs live sand

I had my tap water tested and my LFS said everything was fine. I may invest in a RO unit in the future.
My plan is to start filling it up, mix the salt in another tub and add it to the tank, set the heaters at 80 degrees, turn on the powerheads and canister filter, the get my sump set up properly. I am going to use ammonia drops to cycle the tank, but I'm not 100% sure how to do this...I'll search and find out. Is there anything wrong with having about 4" of sand in the front of the tank? My guess is that this will happen if I add the live sand to my existing sand.
Have I forgotten anything?
Wish me luck...this has been a long time coming.
Hope my stand holds up:)
Robbie
 
Good luck with everything..
If you read this b/4 you fill, I have found that putting something like a correlware bowl in the bottom of the tank when filling causes less of a sand storm. In fact if you have a large enough container you can almost.. almost eliminate it.
 
Thanks! I can't wait to get it filled and start thinking about fish...I may start with a couple of Green Chromis (sp?) or a Cardinal fish. I really want a Lionfish, since that was my brother's pride and joy at one point....but I'm getting ahead of myself. Cycle first, fish later. I'll keep you posted on the cycling process.
Good point about the bowl....I'll definitely do that.
Thanks to everyone that has taken the time to answer my many questions!
Robbie
 
Looking good and wish you luck!
 
Thanks! I can't wait to get it filled and start thinking about fish...I may start with a couple of Green Chromis (sp?) or a Cardinal fish. I really want a Lionfish, since that was my brother's pride and joy at one point....but I'm getting ahead of myself. Cycle first, fish later. I'll keep you posted on the cycling process.
Good point about the bowl....I'll definitely do that.
Thanks to everyone that has taken the time to answer my many questions!
Robbie

No problem.. Again hope all goes well..

Mark
 
To add to the avoiding a sandstorm part.

I saw somewhere, I don't quite remember where, it was on set up tutorial video,

Somebody placed a plastic clear bag over the sand surface and used a container to hold the plastic down, poured the water directly into the container and avoided a sandstorm altogether.
 
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