Update for yesterday:
We went to Vermilion for a visit to Salty Critter. Great store--so much to see and buy
Discussed many things with one of their staff named Ed, and he was very helpful, informative and patient. Excellent service!
Ed explained where we need to set the skimmer water level for best skimming, told us that we should go ahead and add live sand and rock into the system to start the cycle.
I bought 40# more of Aragonite sand and got a water top off unit for the sump.
Last night I spent the evening making some filter socks and adding the sand to the display. Another sand storm, but it's clear this morning. I put the filter socks on fuge and sump overflows and had to clean them already this morning.
Added 3 lg pieces of LR from the 20L tank and my false perc and royal gramma are a bit unhappy I disturbed their hang-outs. I suppose if I explained that we are getting ready for the move into their new 'mansion' they would calm down. (I hope someone else out there 'talks' to their fish)
The clown is a real nasty lil creature--when I put my hand in the tank, she doubles back, sneaks around some LR and goes in for the big bite. I fall for it every time. She hates me being anywhere near her frogspawn where she hosts. She is in for a rude awakening when she realizes their are bigger fish than the gramma and the lawnmower blenny she loves to antagonize.
(Clown, meet the Tang Gang:smokin:
I finished putting rubble (both live and base rock) in the fuge area along with some more LS and some vaious macro-algaes. I need to get to HD for a fuge light.
Tested water last night...no detectable ammonia but my nitrates and nitrites are off the chart. Cycle is progressing.
The LF rock I put in had a few yellow polyps and even a little appy--which I'll let go and save for my 2 peps in the seahorse tank that will be moving in the display when ready. If they don't eat them, I'll squirt with Joes Juice.
Still trying to decide on selecting lighting--T-5's or MH/T-5's???
Pics later~~~~
