Starting up a 46 gallon saltwater

[patrickgoy]

I was going to start a 46 gallon saltwater aquarium. I was wondering if I can get the sea sand and water and let it sit and cycle for a while. I wasn't sure if I needed the live rocks and filters before I start cycle. Any help would be great.

 

[Ziggy953]

SW LS and LR are usually what you have in the tank for the cycle. Are you planning on a Reef tank or a FOWLR?

 

[Kizayaen]

I recommend getting the rock first, cycling with the seawater, then adding the sand after that. If the sand is live then the ammonia levels during cycling may well destroy a lot of the living stuff in there. If it's not, then it'll just make cleaning up all the live rock die-off a bit harder.

Another possible concern is that rocks and decorations tend to be much more firmly settled if you put them in before the sand than after.

 

[roka64]

Are you talking about water/sand/rock from the ocean? If so, that could be a bad idea, due to the pollution and other unknown substances.
If you are talking about store bought SW/sand and rock, I would say, cycle your tank with the sand and rock. That is where your beneficial bacteria will reside.
You can use just sand or just rock, or both. Personally, I put them in all at the same time. I add the sand, then push the rock, so that it rests on the glass bottom. Others like to add the rock and then the sand, it is really a personal preference.