Anything else I need to add before adding saltwater?

[thoreauback]

Hey everyone! After keeping freshwater for years, I decided to start my first saltwater tank, and eventually keep soft corals as well. For now, it's FOWLR, and it's a 75 gallon tank. I've put in my sand and live rock; do I need any more of either of these? I've got 5 gal of saltwater that I mixed yesterday ready to go along with all my equipment, but I want to make sure everything is as good as it can be from the very beginning!

 

[Dogshowgrl]

Sand bed looks great! How much live rock is that? I might suggest more unless you are using media pure blocks in a sump. It's not a lot of space for your beneficial bacteria to live. I don't love the heavy rock look but there has to be balance. You should be able to start up the tank and add rock later if finance is the hold up, but you may have a mini cycle when you do add more down the road. I like the aquascaping just fine. So if you love the look, you could find a place to put the media block in the system and you shouldn't need the extra rock in the display. Nice size for a first marine tank! Good luck!! Enjoy!

 

[thoreauback]

It's about 30 lbs of rock. I think I'll be adding more. Bought the tank off of Craigslist and the rock came with it; there are 2 more medium pieces I haven't added yet because they're covered in dead bristleworms and honestly it makes me a little squeamish, lol. If those pieces are added in I think I'll be good. No sump or else I think I'd use a media block.

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[TauntingBeef]

fill it up

 

[vikinglord13]

General rule is to have at least 1 lb of rock for every gallon if you're going to effectively utilize living filtration.

You can also buy siporax and put it in your sump. Do you have a sump? I can't tell with your design.

Also, +1 for going for softies. They're pretty easy to take care of. The only thing you really have to worry about with most species is how fast they spread/merge with other colonies.

 

[thoreauback]

Moved around the rocks a bit to add some height. I think I'm ready to put in water tomorrow! Thanks for your advice everyone. [emoji4]

 

[BigEZ77]

+1 on 1lb+ per gallon. I do recommend purchasing a sump at lease 1/3 of DT (display tank) volume. You're not going to want HOB (hang on back) devices to clutter things up and provide much more potential of water on your floor.