start up questions

[eknrews]

WARNING! Silly beginner questions ahead....

1) Can you cycle without a light?

2) If you have live sand, do you NEED live rock to cycle too?

3) I know the benefits of using RO/DI water, but is it possible to use tap water? Is there a way to avoid/remedy the problems with tap water? In a previous tank (years ago) I used tap water, and don't remember having any problems with it.

4) I read in the start-up post that as a rule, marine tanks don't have covers for evaporation and heat control. If I am using a canopy, is it safe to set up a light over the open water and put the canopy over top? A little confused about that...

5) suggestions on best salt to use? reef crystals vs instant ocean?

Probably more questions to come, but that is all I can think of at the moment. Thanks for your help and patience!

 

[mcgyvr]

1-Yes.. Light has nothing to do with it..

2-No.. (and you don't even need live sand and many think its basically useless/marketing BS anyways.. Personally I avoid it.. Its caused nasty outbreaks of cyano,etc.. for me when I used it.. I will always start dry rock/dry sand..

3-possible yes.. But unless you have a water analysis done there is no way to answer that.. And no you can't remedy nitrate/phosphate,etc.. present in the tap.. You can clear up chlorine/ammonia but thats about it..
RO/DI is well worth it..

4-A tank should never be "sealed".. There is quite a lot of air/gas exchange that MUST go on. Nitrogen gas escaping/C02 issues that will effect PH,etc.. Oxygen.. You can cover it with a canopy,etc.. Just basically if you could breath being stuck inside it would you be ok.. If so its fine..

5-IO is really all thats needed.. I use RC just because really..

 

[scooter31707]

1) Yes

2) You don't need neither to cycle. You can use dry sand and dry rock

3) It is not recommended, especially for a reef tank. I have heard of some hobbyist during it with a FOWLR. Also may have problems with nirates and phosphates using tap water.

4) Yes, this idea will work. Most of our lights are hanging over the tank with screen cover or some have no cover.

5) Depending on what you are planning on during with the tank, Reef or FOWLR? Reef, I would suggest RC; IO for FOWLR.

 

[scooter31707]

1-Yes.. Light has nothing to do with it..

2-No.. (and you don't even need live sand and many think its basically useless/marketing BS anyways.. Personally I avoid it.. Its caused nasty outbreaks of cyano,etc.. for me when I used it.. I will always start dry rock/dry sand..

3-possible yes.. But unless you have a water analysis done there is no way to answer that.. And no you can't remedy nitrate/phosphate,etc.. present in the tap.. You can clear up chlorine/ammonia but thats about it..
RO/DI is well worth it..

4-A tank should never be "sealed".. There is quite a lot of air/gas exchange that MUST go on. Nitrogen gas escaping/C02 issues that will effect PH,etc.. Oxygen.. You can cover it with a canopy,etc.. Just basically if you could breath being stuck inside it would you be ok.. If so its fine..

5-IO is really all thats needed.. I use RC just because really..

I guess we were typing at the same time.

 

[mjstech]

WARNING! Silly beginner questions ahead....

1) Can you cycle without a light?
Yes it is probably better, ambient light is fine.

2) If you have live sand, do you NEED live rock to cycle too?
Live sand will have bacteria in it added from vendor, so technically no.

3) I know the benefits of using RO/DI water, but is it possible to use tap water? Is there a way to avoid/remedy the problems with tap water? In a previous tank (years ago) I used tap water, and don't remember having any problems with it.
Of course you can use tap. But check for chlorine/chloramine, and use a water dechlorinator if needed. You can get a water report if you want or have your tap tested for phosfates/TDS at a good LFS. I have always used rodi though.

4) I read in the start-up post that as a rule, marine tanks don't have covers for evaporation and heat control. If I am using a canopy, is it safe to set up a light over the open water and put the canopy over top? A little confused about that...
Some tanks have covers. Some do not it depends on if you need full unobstructed intensity of your light. Covers are kinda must if you have jump prone fish.

5) suggestions on best salt to use? reef crystals vs instant ocean?
Instant ocean is generally the go to for most. I have used it for 10 years or so now without issues. There are some that have parameters suited for full blown reef. But I have kept reef with IO.

Probably more questions to come, but that is all I can think of at the moment. Thanks for your help and patience!

Keep the questions coming. That's what the forum/stickys are for. Welcome to SW and the forum.