Beautiful tank, but how do i get started?

[jewtball]

Hey guys i just received my 22 Gal. Nano tank From Cadlights and it looks amazing! but now what? how do i fill it up with water and what kind of water should i use? i am sort of new to the reef hobby and not sure what to add in the tank as far as for livestock.

I have done lots of reasearch and decided to go with this tank because it looks real nice and different from the one's i have seen in the pet stores around my area. Most of the stores around here don't seem to know as much as some of the people posting up on this forum, so hopefully you guys can set me in the right direction.

what i got:

1) the 22 gallon tank
2) a solid birchwood cabinet (cherry)
3) the 6 bulbs T5 system 150watts "HIGH OUTPUT"
4) a 325 gph pump
5) Built-in wet dry
6) 360 degree oscillator

thanks any input is appreciated

 

[Henry22]

First, get some 5 gallon containers and go to the LFS and get some RO water, you will probaly want 30 gallons. You will defiantly want them to have tops or covers, mine is from a sporting good store and is for camping and came with a spout. I have seen people use 10 gallon gas containers which also isnt a bad idea. After you have the water, get 2 5 gallon buckets(from walmart in the cleaning section) and start mixing the salt water. Get a refractomer to measure your salinity as hydrometers are not accurate.
Once you get it to 1.023-1.026 you can put it in your tank, I geuss you could mix it in your tank, but make sure you add less salt so if you need more salt you can add it, but adding more salt than you need and the tank is full of water, you cant add any more water to adjust it. Get a nice 100w heater, maybe even 150w(I have a 50 on my 15 gallon and its good, its a stealth heater) and get the tank heater. Once the tank is at the correct temp and salinity you can go get liverock..