It took me ALL day long, but I finally finished and now have the filter running. I just started the powerhead for a brief time to see how it would do. It blew my sand, so I raised it about half way up the tank wall. I have it close to the heater on the far right side. The filter intake is on the far left side, but the little waterfall from the filter is comes out the right side. Is this ok, or should I move the powerhead to the left side by the filter intake? 
Putting the LR in proved to be a real challenge, and made me VERY nervous. I wanted to glue it, but in the end, I did not. The first epoxy I bougt was Loc tite marine epoxy that I bought at the LFS, but when I read the directions, it said not for use in aquariums. Then I found another one that said it was for aquariums, but the surface had to be clean and dry. Needless to say, it didn't stick to wet LR! I believe I have the rock stable, though.
My clowns are still happily swimming in the small aquarium for the time being. I'm not moving them back until it is safe.
From what I've read, I understand the LR will make my tank cycle. I've also seen posts where people have suggested a cooked shrimp to help things along. The LFS says use Biospira. Any suggestions, comments? Any advantages/ disadvantages to each? I DON'T want to do ANYTHING to mess my tank up. My DH said this is it. No more unless it begins to look like a success. If not, he says I'll have to go to freshwater fish, and I don't want to do that. A goldfish or a guppy is just not what I want to watch!
Anyway, thanks for all your help to this point. It is all so very daunting, but it helps knowing I can come here and get advice from people who aren't trying to sell me something!
Putting the LR in proved to be a real challenge, and made me VERY nervous. I wanted to glue it, but in the end, I did not. The first epoxy I bougt was Loc tite marine epoxy that I bought at the LFS, but when I read the directions, it said not for use in aquariums. Then I found another one that said it was for aquariums, but the surface had to be clean and dry. Needless to say, it didn't stick to wet LR! I believe I have the rock stable, though.
My clowns are still happily swimming in the small aquarium for the time being. I'm not moving them back until it is safe.
From what I've read, I understand the LR will make my tank cycle. I've also seen posts where people have suggested a cooked shrimp to help things along. The LFS says use Biospira. Any suggestions, comments? Any advantages/ disadvantages to each? I DON'T want to do ANYTHING to mess my tank up. My DH said this is it. No more unless it begins to look like a success. If not, he says I'll have to go to freshwater fish, and I don't want to do that. A goldfish or a guppy is just not what I want to watch!
Anyway, thanks for all your help to this point. It is all so very daunting, but it helps knowing I can come here and get advice from people who aren't trying to sell me something!
