New tank (first saltwater)

[Scott Tuttle]

I am setting up a 55g saltwater aquariums FOWLR. I do not currently have an RO/DI system but plan to in the future. But my current question is would buying distilled water be ok for now until I can get the RO/DI?

 

[jsker]

Yes.

 

[Scott Tuttle]

I am putting in live sand and dry rock, to help the cycle process, should I leave the lights on, turn them off or only run them for a short time? Also should I add a frozen shrimp and if so when during the start up process?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I would get a bottle of Dr. Tim's instead of using the raw shrimp.

 

[don_chuwish]

Leave the lights off, it'll help keep all kinds of ugly stuff from growing while cycling.

 

[Scott Tuttle]

Leave the lights off, it'll help keep all kinds of ugly stuff from growing while cycling.

Do you think I should cover it with an old sheet to help keep ugly stuff from growing? Or just leave the lights off in the aquarium? I do not have it in direct sunlight.

 

[don_chuwish]

In the recent BRS videos they also taped black paper to the glass to keep more light out. If the tank will get much ambient light it might be worth it.

 

[Scott Tuttle]

I know I'm not to this point yet, but at approximately what point should I add the cleaning crew?

 

[Scott Tuttle]

Good morning everyone, very exciting weekend we had! We put the sand and rock in the aquarium, but when the dust settled (literally), of course the sand had also settled on the rocks. I tried fanning the sand off with my had but of course it cloudied up the aquarium. Now it has settled and is clear again but of course some is in the rocks. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to clean the rocks without clouding the water or is this just part of it?

 

[vertigo01]

You can use a turkey baster to blow the sand off the rocks. However the water more than likely will cloud back up.

It's all a part of the process..