RS Max E-170 start up

[Rivus]

I'm just getting back into the hobby, at least the salt side of it. I've always had aquariums, mostly fresh, some native, only dabbled in marine. Since retiring and moving to Maine, our new place is rather small so I sold all my larger tanks and have just decided I needed a small but nice one, hence the E-170.
It arrived the other day, and I was impressed by the quality of the equipment and how easy the cabinet was to assemble. Based on the info I mostly got off this forum I've been ordering from BRS. The salt arrived today, so tomorrow I head to the LFS and buy a couple dozen fish, throw in some corals....Nah, just kidding. Tomorrow I put water in and start the cycling. Since there will be no livestock in the tank for awhile is there a recommended salinity to shoot for during this period?

A unique salt mixing station in a small rarely used shower. At least I won't have to worry too much about spills in there!

 

[dbl]

Congrats...They are such good looking tanks. You would be okay with a dozen fish tomorrow, but a couple dozen would be pushing it just a little....nah!

 

[Rivus]

Water in, added ammonium chloride and Dr Tim's, let the cycling begin. Testing starts tomorrow.

 

[Rivus]

Flash forward 2 weeks, back from vacation...a good time to let the tank cycle. Ammonia and nitrites were 0 today, so I dosed it back up to 2ppm NH3/NH4. Hoping the bacteria eat it by tomorrow if so, I should be ready for a CUC?
What about lights? They've been off so far with just a trace of diatoms recently. Probably need something growing in there to feed the crew.
I have a 10g QT which it cycling on the same schedule, I hope. Might have some fish soon! Planning perculas to start.