Setting up reefer 170

[MasA07]

Good evening all, I’m getting ready to set up my reefer 170 and have a few questions bear with me. I’ve had a couple 20 gallons about 8-10 years ago and noticed things have changed a lot. I’m looking to do this right.
1) live rock or dry rock? I plan on adding some live rock to my sump regardless, but what is recommended and where to get it? Local or online

2) live sand? I planned on getting the Carib sea but open to other options.

3) do I need to add bacteria and ammonia?

4 equipment list
-hydra 32HD
-Nero 3 wave maker
-Red Sea reefmat 250
- tunze ATO
-no protein skimmer yet.

 

[Fish Fan]

Congrats on the new system!

Question 1 - Live rock for me. Your tank will be instantly cycled, and you'll skip much of the "ugly phase" often ween with dry rock starts. I highly recommend that live rock and sand from Tampa Bay Saltwater who is a mariculture facility in Florida:

Tampa Bay Saltwater - America's #1 Live Rock for Reef Aquariums

Tampa Bay Saltwater sustainably farms ocean aquacultured live rock and hand harvested sand. TBS Live Rock provides beneficial microorganisms, creates a less stressful environment for inhabitants and provides natural biofiltration by the lifeforms found in and on it. Healthy live rock, from our...

tbsaltwater.com

Short of that, live rock from a quality local fish store is also a good plan

Question 2- Caribbsea sands are popular and just fine to use, but they are not live sand like the sand above from Tampa Bay Saltwater.

Question 3 - No bacteria or ammonia should be added if you use live rock. If you use dry rock, then yes, you'd want to add a bottled bacteria products (I suggest Fritz TurboStart 900 these days) as well as a source of ammonia such as Fritz Fishless Fuel, Baker's ammonia that can be found near the baking stuff at craft stores and some grocery stores, or you can simply add a shrimp from the seafood market. The shrimp will decay, producing ammonia. The shrimp is loaded with the beneficial bacteria too

I hope that helps and good luck!

 

[MasA07]

Congrats on the new system!

Question 1 - Live rock for me. Your tank will be instantly cycled, and you'll skip much of the "ugly phase" often ween with dry rock starts. I highly recommend that live rock and sand from Tampa Bay Saltwater who is a mariculture facility in Florida:

Tampa Bay Saltwater - America's #1 Live Rock for Reef Aquariums

Tampa Bay Saltwater sustainably farms ocean aquacultured live rock and hand harvested sand. TBS Live Rock provides beneficial microorganisms, creates a less stressful environment for inhabitants and provides natural biofiltration by the lifeforms found in and on it. Healthy live rock, from our...

tbsaltwater.com

Short of that, live rock from a quality local fish store is also a good plan

Question 2- Caribbsea sands are popular and just fine to use, but they are not live sand like the sand above from Tampa Bay Saltwater.

Question 3 - No bacteria or ammonia should be added if you use live rock. If you use dry rock, then yes, you'd want to add a bottled bacteria products (I suggest Fritz TurboStart 900 these days) as well as a source of ammonia such as Fritz Fishless Fuel, Baker's ammonia that can be found near the baking stuff at craft stores and some grocery stores, or you can simply add a shrimp from the seafood market. The shrimp will decay, producing ammonia. The shrimp is loaded with the beneficial bacteria too

I hope that helps and good luck!

Thank you very much for the input! I think I will go live rock and skip the headache of going through the long cycle of dry.

 

[Blitheran]

I have a reefer 170. Here is a pic from yesterday. I recently just beat dinos and now I have a large diatom population forming on the sand bed which I am tracking with pictures hence the horrible side profile.

Here is what I would say for rock.

1) I like being artsy with my rock. Meaning I love getting rubble and creating a super unique structure like you see below! Now to cycle and build a beneficial population 100% get a bunch of Tampa Bay Live Rock or Gulf Live Rock. Do not waste your time with the bottle.

2). I would get the sand you want and mix it with the Florida sand from these distributors.

 

[beardedman11]

Looks like you're off to a great start with equipment and asking everyone questions. My set up is very identical to you. I did switch out the AI 26HD i had on the tank with an ATI 4 bulb fixture. I'm a t5 guy and love the colors and spread from those. But the hydra is a great led light. If you're on Facebook there's a group thats has a lot of presetting for the light and easy to download and tune into the app. I did add another AI nero 3 to my tank due to having some dead spots and ideally would like to add another one or change the return nozzle but haven't looked for one to swap out with. In my signature the 20g shows you how i cycle my tanks in about 2-3 weeks with adding ammonia and dosing aqua forest bio s if you don't go the live rock route. GL and can't wait to see what you get going.