I've got half a year, what can I start now?

[TonyHanke]

Hello everyone, I finally have opportunity, to start doing something with my future tank. I've got 6 months of waiting, before I can set up the true tank. I think I have the minimal knowledge required for this hobby (I've read "The Reef Aquarium", "Natural Reef Aquariums", watched hours of BRSTV videos and scrolled through many, many posts here on R2R ;) ) I thought of buying live rock and curing it in a bucket, and then seeding dry rock and some matrix in that bucket. By doing that, I want to achieve a healthy and strong microcrustacean population, and diverse microbiome. I wanted to ask, what are the things I absolutely need for that project. I thought of using just a bucket with AF sea salt, in the bucket there would be heater and an air stone,

 

[commod0re]

That sounds like about all you need, maybe also add a cheap/small power head to get some flow in there

Sounds like a solid plan to bootstrap your rocks to me!

 

[TonyHanke]

So no RODI needed for now?

 

[MegabiteOG]

Great start with all the reading and research. You are way ahead of the game already. What size tank and how much rock are you talking about to put if the bucket?

 

[commod0re]

oh right
no, strictly speaking, you could start by buying RO or distilled water at the store (I did but not for long) but, I would suggest getting a RODI sooner than later

 

[TonyHanke]

Great start with all the reading and research. You are way ahead of the game already. What size tank and how much rock are you talking about to put if the bucket?

the final tank is going to be 30g I think, I'll start by curing just about 2lbs of live rock, and then gradually adding more dry rock, I know it's not really specific but I'll see how it goes.

 

[MegabiteOG]

the final tank is going to be 30g I think, I'll start by curing just about 2lbs of live rock, and then gradually adding more dry rock, I know it's not really specific but I'll see how it goes.

Then a 5 gallon buck will work and I agree with @commod0re on adding a power head and getting your own RODI. Also, a quality salinity checker is important for checking and making your own water.

CONGRATS on the incoming tank.

 

[TonyHanke]

Thank you, we'll see how it goes.