don't rush, go slow, read lots and have fun! i just set-up a 6' 135gl across from my 90gl (the 135 was from my boss) just like everyone else i'm in tank set-up mode! all the rock was cured (half mine, half his as i liked some of mine better!) the tank had live stock in it, but i took it to my LFS as i knew the tank wouldn't be ready for fish again for a while. There are a few hermit crabs and snails that lived through the move on the rock and they are doing just fine! I have the skimmer in, but not turned on as I won't need it for a while, rock and filter floss in my sump and it's looking really good! But patience is the most important part for it to be done right! The only thing I added to my water was my normal prime and a little bit of stability as I added a bunch new water. I try and keep additives out as much as possible!

A refractometer I say is a must in this hobby! don't use the thermometer stickers, actually get a in tank thermometer! Filter socks are a great idea! trying to figure out how to make them work on my end!

I have about 150lbs of rock in my display tank, and about 40lbs in my sump!

Everyone does things differently, so you best bet is to read as much as possible and find out what will work best for you and what you want to do with the tank in the long run!

Sticker thermometers are the worst piece of "thing" in any aquarium! I don't know why it is still in the market. Glass and water can practically never reach thermal equilibrium, a.k.a that thing will always show glass temperature (which is going to be lower theoretically) and not the water temperature.

yup, super dumb.... i like things that are acurate! i have two floating one in sump and one in tank!

Reefers say hydrometers are the worst equipment ever. They should give the stickers a try ;)

i say they tie!!

Not really. Hydros do give good reading after washing them with vinegar :P

I'll have some of what he's having please
Especially since it may become legal soon ....

raoul duke ...

There's been some really good advice sent your way in this thread
I hope it helps you ...

Come on that was rude :surprise: Hydrometers do give "quite" accurate reading but not always of course (I missed that). I stopped using mine after getting the refrac but I did cross refer once and they matched. Just to double check whether my refrac is out or not, I took it to LFS and they found out that its calibrated. :lol:

And ofcourse you will have to agree that sticker thermometers are totally useless while hydros do hold some degree of accuracy, at least for the start.

That wasn't meant to be rude in any way :wink:

Hydros are notoriously fallible

I was only pointing out the fact that IF you are relying on a hydrometer you are asking for trouble and most reefers would tell you that using one is crazy .... :smile:

So are you saying hydrometers are "quite" accurate, or are they "but not always of course" ??

Refractometers are the only reliable way to read Specific Gravity that I will use ......