Getting ready need advice

D

Dollarbill

New member
Getting ready to start up a 180. Probably will not do a reef to start but wanted to ask about cycling. Is it cheaper to buy the water from my LFS or mix the salt and then do the water changes? time isnt an issue for me $$$$ is though.

Should I add live rock right after i fill the tank and adjust the temperature.

Also, has anybody bought Ebay live rock or is it a waste of time? It sure seems to be cheaper even with shipping. THank you for all of your help. db
 
Over time, it's cheaper to mix your own saltwater, but I usually recommend buying an RO-DI unit to provide clean water.

I would get everything running, temperature adjusted, and then buy live rock. Some extra containers to hold some of the extra water might help, or you could try to fill the tank only part-way.
 
Welcome to RC, Their is alot of knowledge here on this website, as I have found it to help me with all of my tank needs, & questions... IMO read, read, read and do some more reading. The more that you read the better off you'll be.

Depending on the price of your water at your LFS and what you can find for the price of salt... I pay 50cents a gallon at my LFS so I just by water from him, but with a tank that size I think you need a 20lb bag of sand per 55 gallons+ or - alittle. So Its up to you on wheter you want to mix or buy your water... If you have a rubbermaid trash can, that is nice to mix salt water in, to later add to your tank.

Adding uncured LR to the tank after the water is a good idea, you'll want to get started on your cycle and time is a good thing to let the cycle happen... Adjusting the temp is a good thing to do also.

I wouldn't buy LR from EBAY but, I just always purchase mine threw my LFS since its only 2 miles away... Plus then I can hand pick my LR out for my aquascaping...

good luck and post some pictures to see your tank, and progress
 
You'll likely save money mixing the water yourself; I can't imagine an lfs not charging a hefty markup. I'd make sure your tank was at the temp you want before adding live rock; you'll want to preserve as many of the beneficial life forms as possible as it cycles. I have no experience with Ebay live rock, but would bet that you would get a more reliable product from a good local lfs or one of the better online vendors here. Good luck-
 
1000 points to all of you! ha Thanks i do appreciate it. Ill try to figure out how to post pictures as soon as its filled. Lfs wants 69 cents a gallon (ouch). I think i might try a 50/50 mix of lfs water and my own salt mix to try to keep the price down and retain a little "quality" water. Its ready for water this weeek! Yahoo. Thanks again! db
 
Bill,

The cheapest and best way I have found to do live rock is this:

Buy some LR at your lfs, say about 20-30% of what you actually need. Buy base (dry) rock for the rest. Base rock runs about $1.-$2. per pound as compared to LR at $5-$8. per pound. In a few weeks, the base rock will have become live rock.
 
Tagging along on the last post - recommended place/sites to buy base rock? LFS prices (if they have any) are higher than $1-2/#
 
Ok, Well water is going in the tank today because the pool that the E. Bunny brought to the kids apparently can't be place on any sort of angle or the water starts to walk the pool down the hill. My point being, that water in the pool is filling my tank. Anybody need water? I have about 2000 extra gallons. Salt tomorrow or tues. Happy Easter! db
 
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