Help starting my 125

[DownwardDawg]

I will be moving next month so shortly after that, I will be starting up my 125...finally!!! Anyway, I got about 75 pounds of live rock given to me a few months back along with about 70-80 lbs of sand. This rock and sand had been in a tank with circulation but no lighting whatsoever for about the past 2 years or so. Unfortunately, I was not in a position to throw it all in some saltwater and turn on a pump and heater. I rinsed the rock real good with a water hose and set it on a table out in the sun for a few days. I then threw it in a container and closed the lid and placed in the garage. No water or lights. I rinsed the sand real good with fresh water from hose and let it dry on a tarp out in the sun. I placed the sand in an ice chest after it dried. I was thinking after I moved that I should rinse the rock in saltwater and then put it in a rubbermaid container with freshly mixed sw and maybe a live rock or 2 from one of my other tanks? Does this sound good? What about the sand? Should I put the sand in that container too? Should I put a scoop of sand from one of my tanks in there? I have all the time in the world so I am in no hurry at all.
Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[ginger7286]

Seeding the sand from your other tank is a great idea. I would place all the sand and rock you are going to use in the tank once you have it in place and set up. Add your good bacteria let the rock and sand cycle for a month, test your water params and see where you are at. Good Luck

 

[Lynnmw1208]

if you want some ideas you can check out my build thread

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1917666

 

[kgross]

I would suggest soaking both the rock and sand in a mild bleach solution to remove any dead organics on the rock before you put it in your tank. You could also do a short vinegar bath to dissolve the outside of the rock/sand to remove anything bound to the surface. Then just treat it as dead rock and your good to go. Put it in the tank, and hopefully seed the tank with some good life.

 

[DownwardDawg]

Thanks for the advice so far!

 

[DownwardDawg]

if you want some ideas you can check out my build thread

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1917666

Nice build thread. Love your tank!

 

[Lynnmw1208]

Nice build thread. Love your tank!

Thank you! I got a lot of my ideas from others on here and some I figured out on my own :lol: