New to AA and Saltwater

[tank21]

Hey ya'll I just bought a saltwater aquarium yesterday, first one, and I aded the sand and all. I woke up today and its still pretty cloudy. I was just wondering if this was normal? Also, what should I do after it all settles? I have a powerhead and heater, but what else should I get?
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm new to all this.

Thanks

 

[austinsdad]

Need to read the article at this site on cycling a tank.

What kinda sand didja use? Dry, in bag. If so, it should've been rinsed.

Don't do or buy anther thing until you do some reading. A lot.

What other equip didja buy?

 

[tank21]

I just read the article on cycling, it had a lot of advice, thanks! When I was at the store I only had so much money, so I just bought the tank, sand, salt, power head, heater and a thermometer.

 

[austinsdad]

So.... gonna do fish only? Fish and reef? Got a plan yet?

Read up on HOB (hang on back) skimmers. Filtration. Live rock benefits. Reef lighting.

For starters.

 

[tank21]

Alright thanks for the advice! Right now I'm planning on just sticking to fish, not really going into a reef.

 

[roka64]

Well, while you are waiting to save some money for base rock/live rock, you can add a raw, unseasoned jumbo shrimp (1 per 30 gallons), but a test kit and get your cycle started.

 

[melosu58]

Welcome to AA.

 

[tank21]

Thanks ya'll! So with the shrimp, should I put it in before or after I add the live rock? My tank is still pretty cloudy from the sand, so should I hold off on the shrimp and LR until it clears up?

 

[roka64]

It doesn't really matter, whatever you are comfortable with. I dumped it all in at the same time.

 

[tank21]

I've been reading up on sumps, would it be a good idea to put one in? And if it is, how would you put one together?