JBJ 28 Gallon CF-QUAD for FOWLR and help getting started

[duoc9119]

I want to know if the 28 gallon CF-QUAD is good for a FOWLR as is. I will be getting a thermometer and a heater as well.

So my plan is:

Step 1: Buy tank, thermometer, heater (100watt), and powerhead (425)
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+21183&pcatid=21183
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+22042&pcatid=22042
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4586+21970&pcatid=21970

Step 2: Buy Hydrometer, InstantOcean, bucket
At LFS

Step 3:Make saltwater using bucket, InstantOcean, Hydrometer and powerhead

Step 4: Buy LR and LS and clean
At LFS

Step 5: Place LR and LS in tank and wait for water to clear

Step 6: Plug in all components and let the cycle begin

Step 7: Buy Valentini Puffer, acclimate, and place in tank

Does this look right? I thought this through, and would like to know your opinions as well as anything I may have missed as well as any tips or specifics

 

[abdhalim2]

instead of hydrometer, try to get refractometer...might be pricey but worth to have it....what do u mean by LS...??? Live Stock..???

 

[duoc9119]

instead of hydrometer, try to get refractometer...might be pricey but worth to have it....what do u mean by LS...??? Live Stock..???

I meant Live Sand but I might just get dry aragonite and reef rocks to save a chunk of cash and cycle the tank by the raw shrimp method I've read about

 

[atte]

I would go with base rock and dry aragonite to save money. Live sand in my experience does not really have any benefit. You can get mostly base rock and if anything, a small chunk of live rock to introduce hitchhikers like certain snails, etc if you want. I can't comment on the tank itself but your overall plan looks fine. Welcome to AA!

 

[abdhalim2]

owh okay....then u may start cycle after buy everything u need....LS might be good for sand sifter in future if u plan to have 1....some said go buy 50-50 LR and base rock....base rock would actually become 'live' after that....other than that dont seem any probs with ya plan....

 

[duoc9119]

I would go with base rock and dry aragonite to save money. Live sand in my experience does not really have any benefit. You can get mostly base rock and if anything, a small chunk of live rock to introduce hitchhikers like certain snails, etc if you want. I can't comment on the tank itself but your overall plan looks fine. Welcome to AA!

As far as I know the tank has a 3 stage filtration system, 105 watts of light, night vu (moonlight ?) leds, 2 powerheads and a wavemaker built in. It sounds like it has everything i need

 

[duoc9119]

owh okay....then u may start cycle after buy everything u need....LS might be good for sand sifter in future if u plan to have 1....some said go buy 50-50 LR and base rock....base rock would actually become 'live' after that....other than that dont seem any probs with ya plan....

I am just planning on a Valentini Puffer and possibly a clean up crew of some sort like hermits or large snails due to the messiness nature of puffers. I will possibly get maybe a lbs of live rock and the rest (about 28 lbs) of base rock

 

[abdhalim2]

hey...have u read this...?? this might be helping in future....
Saltwater Fish Compatibility Guides

 

[duoc9119]

hey...have u read this...?? this might be helping in future....
Saltwater Fish Compatibility Guides

I will give it a look and add another fish or 2 maybe

Anyone know if this deionizer works or not? It's labelled as a customer favourite, so I suppose it works.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4395+4484&pcatid=4484

What about this site that sells dry rock and aragonite? It's 40lbs of dry key largo rocks and 40lbs of Bahamas aragonite sand for $119 with free shipping. There's a few reviews on it and it sounds promising. Couldn't I get this and drop in a raw shrimp and start the cycle?
https://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=62