Would this be ok, starting my 180 gal, first time cycle.

[Brent Thomann]

I have all my water mixed & ready (from RO/DI unit). I didn't have enough water storage so conveniently I filled and mix a 1/4 of the water right in the tank. Have the rest in large trash cans.

next, I was going to add my playsand. Let it settle and then the next day add the rest of my water all my live rock (180 lbs) and 60 lbs of Hi online Baserock. I also have 40 lbs of live sand I was going to throw in at that time.

The 40 lbs of live sand is currently underneath the 180 lbs of live rock which is all in a large trash can in my basement, with pumps/heaters. I've been doing the best at maintaining the LR & LS but its been down there for a couple months so I know and can see a lot of die off. The 60 lbs of Hirocks.com Baserock is still packaged in the nice shipping box it came in, surprisingly all 60 lbs of it, (I'll rinse it before adding to tank).

How does that sound? Should I have my ASM G4 Protein Skimmer running & UV Sterilizer on during the cycle?

I also read a article that said to put in some Raw Shrimp from the grocery store. Will I really need to do that? If so how much should I add?

All your help is greatly appreciated!

Here's a couple photos of my setup (180gal, 40gal sump/refuge) Will post more updated ones soon-
http://www.partydamage.com/fishtank/09.jpg
http://www.partydamage.com/fishtank/s-03.jpg
http://www.partydamage.com/fishtank/s-04.jpg - -plumbing has since been changed a little from pic, after tested.
http://www.partydamage.com/fishtank/05.jpg

 

[The0wn4g3]

Put the LR in FIRST, then water, then sand.
This way, you can balance the LR and make sure it is stable, when you add the water it will stay stable. and THEN add the sand so that the LR is resting on the bottom of the tank and not the sand. If you decide to get any gobies that sandsift, and the LR is resting on the sand, they may move the sand out from under the LR and cause it to become unstable. if you add the LR then sand, it will greatly reduce the chances of the rock becoming unstable.
You don't NEED to add a skimmer, but I like to think of it this way. Besides sponges, and other mechanicle filtration that literally filters particles out of the system, the skimmer is the only filtration device that can take protein and other wastes that cannot be seen, out of the system (not just hold or reduce it)
IMO, you should buy the best skimmer you can afford, as well as lights. A good skimmer will make a huge difference in water quality.

UV's are good if you are afraid of fish getting diseases, but a simple QT tank and/or careful monitoring of fish before you buy them will usually prevent diseases.
If there is die-off on the rock that will cause the cycling process so there is really no need to add the shrimp.

It looks like a great set-up.

Good luck!

PS: all info. given is based on my experience and opinion.

 

[Brent Thomann]

Someone told me that I should maybe rinse the die-off off on bad looking (white) LR with saltwater. Is that true and what would be the purpose for that?

Not sure if I understood properly, so should I have my PS and UV Ster. on during the beginning/during the cycle?

Thank You!!

 

[Scuba Oz]

If you are going to put the rock in first then put it on some eggcrate and not direclty on the glass, dont want to add pressure points on the glass, let it be dispersed.

I would run the skimmer 24/7, even during the cycle. Just let the rock do its thing for a few weeks, no need to add shrimp, if the rock is in a seperate vat now its already cycled by now anyways.

If there are any dead sponges or the like on the rock, then scrape it off or scrub it off in saltwater. If its just white encrusted coraline, leave it be, it will turn back to purple over time with good water params and good flow.

Good luck, I like the first addition, he's a cute one

 

[TekCat]

Scrub dead stuff from rocks with a toothbrush (preferred someone elses) Also you could use turkey baster to flush out accumulated dead stuff (if any) from rock's pores and holes. You really don't want extra gunk in your tank

And idea with eggcrate to support LR is an excellent one IMO.

And during cycle if any, run skimmer. Why keep junk in your tank, when you can take it out. If you get really big ammonia or nitrite spike, which I doubt, do partial water change 25% or so.
Do not run UV sterilizer, the purpose of the cycle is to grow population of beneficial bacteria. UV's does not discriminate good or bad bacteria, it kills it. So, running it is kinda counterproductive.