i set my 150 up in 2 days... I used new sand(only 1 1/2 inches) all rock was from my existing tank or LFS, I used tap water and prime,but ran a good carbon and gfo at start. I set up plumbed and filled it up, in 24 hours water cleared and I transferred most of the coral and all fish. got a lil diatom bloom after 4 days, then settled down. didn't loose a fish or coral!