Mustang

Ok so a little over a month ago I posted on my first saltwater tank a 12gal nano. Since then I have not done too much with it other than replace the pump with a Maxi 900 and the duck bill with http://www.hydor.com/prodotti/show/famprod/16/list/5 . I had also mentioned that I had a 108gal cichlid tank that I planned one day to upgrade to a Marineland 250 DD. Now I am not getting the 250 gal tank but what I am getting is the contents of an 80gal saltwater tank. YAAAAAAAAAAAA WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO dance dance So I am on my way to pick this up in the AM and here is my current plan of attack and if you have suggestions please by all means offer them up.

1. The fish and any coals (FYI not sure what yet) will be kept for me at my LFS until I have time to change my tank over.


2. All the live rock (about 70lbs +) sand and cleanup crew will come home with me in a large rubber tote that I will set up a circulation pump in. I will also get some more live rock from my LFS to get me up to about 100lbs and will also need some additional sand.



3. I will clean the sand and reuse it.


4. I plan to set up a sump ASAP but given that Christmas is almost here I will probably only get to it in mid January. In the mean time I plan to use my 2 filters a 404 and 405 fluval stocked with carbon/Seachem PhosGuard and sponge to catch the large stuff.


5. I think there will be some t5 lighting and a UV sterilizer.



6. I will be using Prime to kick start my cycle.



7. Will also be getting an RO/DI unit of my own in the near future. Probably one of Marc’s as long as I can get it here without duties jacking the price way up.



8. As you can see from the pics my tank is in the wall and I have some room behind it for support equipment.


9. I also have a Koralia Evolution 1400 for additional circulation.


Now some questions.


1. Will I need to keep a light source on the live rock to keep it from dying?


2. When I fill it with RO/DI water can I already have the cleaned sand in place and then when full just add salt? Also how long should the salt mix 24hrs before adding the rock?


3. What is a good sand depth? I know there are theories on deep and shallow sand beads but what would be good for a newb.



4. AHHH sooo many more questions I should have right now but can’t think of them. Although once I see for sure what I am getting I will be able to plan out in more detail.



Thanks all for your input in advance.