advice on new setup and water

[JD]

im new to keeping fish, and have recently purchased my marine setup and its now installed up and running.

Consisting of

36" Tank
1x Arcadia Marine Light
1x Arcadia UVA / Moonlight
External Filter Resun AE-808 - Pump Output 1500L/H - 394 Usg/H
Argite Gravel
Sand (not sure if this is live sand)
and rock (not LR)

im listening to the guy at our LFS and he said to leave it running for around 4 weeks with no fish in it, then start introducing fish. ive added all the necessary salt (gravity reads 1.022), and a bio-mature, does this seem like a good setup and does his advice seem right. i also wanted to know the best way to produce pure/safe water without a RO/DI unit (i think thats right) as i dont have the money to purchase one yet and everywhere seems to be suggesting not to use tap water although i dont have any alternative atm, and i have been using fresh start to remove the chemicals. and ph up/down to correct the ph. to around 8

[JD]

i made 2 pictures

here
www.arcticdiscovery.com/temp/tank.jpg

www.arcticdiscovery.com/temp/rock.jpg


could anyone tell me what kind of rock that is?

[miztahphong2]

if its not live sand and live rock how does he expect for the tank to cycle?

[Aquaman]

Well you need something to cycle the tank. I would suggest LR with or without Live sand. I started out with Live sand and Live rock. I used Damsels to cycle but its not recommended anymore because most of the time they will end up dieing.

[Aquaman]

PS. Get yourself a good test kit, You need to know what your levels are when you need to troubleshoot an issue.

[JD]

thanks for ur help il have a chat with him

test kit on the way :)

[MikeS]

If you can't get an RO/DI filter right away...you can use distilled water, or purchase RO/DI water.

Mike

[sweetmisery]

My first few tries of a marine aquarium around 12 years ago, was without live rock - ever. Didnt know of that, and inetnet wasnt available. Anyways, thats one reason my fish kept on dying, but at some point, they were ok and lived longer.

Now I have my few questions about water. It is said I have to cycle them first right? A fortnight is advisable. But those I know come from adding sea salt. What about sea water straight from the deep sea? Cuz I can have access to those(30 mins. drive and cheaper compared to buying a much expensive sea salt)... Do I still need to cycle them and not put fish and such? Or can I put fish right away or atleast sooner?

And are snails ok to put ahead? as well as hermits?

thanks!

[JD]

from what ive been reading this might not be a good idea as the sea water could be polluted and also not the right ph or salinity :( , i didnt think the sea salt was that expensive? and once youve got ur tanks setup its only small amount you need just for water changes. again from what ive been reading you should cycle your tank with liverock only for a couple of weeks untill your cycle has finished amonia levels 0 etc and then start adding other things very slowly

[sweetmisery]

In Philippines it is kinda costy(seasalt) and with the quality of pay/life here, its too much. $20 may be ok there, even $100, but convert it here, it is quite big for middle class people. ($1 - 55 pesos).

The fishermen told me they will get it from the deep area of the sea, and I will just buy some water level test kit and cycle them. I can just ride with them at the pump boat to make sure they dont get it from the beach area!