What do I need to set up a temporary refugium quickly?

[wunderlong88]

I am in the process of planning a 215 g. tank but haven't got that ordered or set up yet. But I have a chance to get some live really cheap live rock tomorrow and I would like to set up a temporary holding tank. I have no equipment, tests, salt, etc. yet.

Thinking about something like this:

30-40 gal. trash can (this will be good for my water changes later)
refugium light (hopefully can use in my sump/refugium later)
cheap power head for circulation (can use to mix salt later)
salinity meter (also can use for salt mix later)
cheap heater (can use to get saltwater upto temp for water changes later)
ph, alk, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, calcium testing kits
salt mix

Will this do it? What am I forgetting?
I am getting live rock straight out of a tank so I suspect little die off?
If I do this when could I add macroalgae?

 

[Tinnerito]

I am in the process of planning a 215 g. tank but haven't got that ordered or set up yet. But I have a chance to get some live really cheap live rock tomorrow and I would like to set up a temporary holding tank. I have no equipment, tests, salt, etc. yet.

Thinking about something like this:

30-40 gal. trash can (this will be good for my water changes later)
refugium light (hopefully can use in my sump/refugium later)
cheap power head for circulation (can use to mix salt later)
salinity meter (also can use for salt mix later)
cheap heater (can use to get saltwater upto temp for water changes later)
ph, alk, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, calcium testing kits
salt mix

Will this do it? What am I forgetting?
I am getting live rock straight out of a tank so I suspect little die off?
If I do this when could I add macroalgae?

Light, circulation, minerals and nutrients are all that macoalgae require. I've found heaters to be unnecessary in my experience. For live rock you should be fine without a heater too, since thats mostly for non-hardy corals and fish. I've grown anemones, paly's, and pineapple sponges in a no heater system. Everything you have should be fine, maybe something to supplement Iron and Magnesium would be good, although since your tank is temporary they may not need it.

 

[wunderlong88]

Wonderful, thanks!

 

[wunderlong88]

Any rec's on inexpensive salinity tester for this? I will use something else to monitor my aquarium when I get it set up but I will always need a way to test water easily for water changes so this can be used for that in future.

 

[wunderlong88]

Also, any rec's for testing options? Should I get something cheap just for this set up or go ahead and purchase the better options that I will use in the long run on the larger tank when it is operational?

 

[mpatterson42]

Refractometers are cheap, reliable, and easy to come by.

When you say you don't have salt, are you planning on putting live rock into RODI or tap water? If so you'll probably kill off most of the beneficial bacteria.

 

[wunderlong88]

Refractometers are cheap, reliable, and easy to come by.

When you say you don't have salt, are you planning on putting live rock into RODI or tap water? If so you'll probably kill off most of the beneficial bacteria.

RO water but I will add salt first. Are you saying this will kill it?

 

[mpatterson42]

No, I missed the last line in your original comment about the salt. I just saw the "can use to mix saltwater later" and thought you were going to add live rock to non-saltwater.

Your setup looks fine, you don't need a refugium light unless you're set on macroalgae.

For testing, I would do Hanna Phosphate Ultra Low, Nitrate High Range, and Alkalinity DKH. Everything else you can use Salifert.

 

[wunderlong88]

After I add the live rock to the saltwater and all parameters are good will it have a cycle time (ammonia, etc?). I only ask because I wondered about adding a few inverts sooner or later (snails, crabs or shrimp) and didn't know if I would have an instant cycle since the live rock has been cycled and is just moving into my container/water or if I will still have a cycle to wait for?

I have no intention of adding fish or corals or anything $$ until my display tank is ready for those.