midland texas
New Member
I am new to this Hobby and would like to restart my aquarium. I had this aquarium for apx. 3 years. when I first bought and tried my hand at this, it was a great experience. the aquarium crash 3 different times (fish died or glass seal broke dumping 180 gallons of saltwater on my living room floor) but after I fix the glass and got it up and running again, it just wasn't the same. my time and money lead me to take a break.
But now I think I am ready to try again. so here is what I have and what I need help with. I haven't decided on what I want to do with the aquarium, to have fish or make a reef, to have aggressive meat eating fish or herbivores. I am completely open and can go either way.
Now I have apx. 100lbs of live rock and live sand, that has been in the aquariums from the start. always covered with saltwater. but no water circulation or light, just sitting in my living room. I am not sure with its still good or not. that's my first question. I bought a new quiet one 5000 water pump, and starting the wave maker with 2 korlia power heads model 6. I have a 3rd powerhead but it stopped working. I also have an SWC 230 protein skimmer in my 75gallon refugiums. and 2 LED lamps.
I did a water test last night and the results are as follows:
ammonia 0-.5
PH 7.5
NO 2.5
NO3 180+
Gravity 1.025 - 1.026
I turned on the water heater this morning water temp is APX 73*
So my first question is: is the rock and sane still usable if its dead what can I do to treat it and start it up again. there is no signs of and algae or slim in the tank just some white spots or dots on the glass in some places.
how do I kick start the cycleing of the water.
what would be the first thing I should buy as far as snail crabs or things like that. and when should I?
Being that its 180 gallons makes it a little more challenging because things are so much. more fish more chemicals more "cleaner creatures"
I am looking to go slow I am in no hurry to get to the finish line, just want to go slow and be able to add things and be able to keep on top of things before they get out of hand.
I don't know much about the terminology like FOWLR or LFS things like that so if you keep that in mind I would appreciate any and all advise.
like I said I am open to anything, reef FOWLR or the like.
I have a local saltwater aquarium store but they deal mostly in fish and cleaning services for local business who have aquariums
thanks
Jack
But now I think I am ready to try again. so here is what I have and what I need help with. I haven't decided on what I want to do with the aquarium, to have fish or make a reef, to have aggressive meat eating fish or herbivores. I am completely open and can go either way.
Now I have apx. 100lbs of live rock and live sand, that has been in the aquariums from the start. always covered with saltwater. but no water circulation or light, just sitting in my living room. I am not sure with its still good or not. that's my first question. I bought a new quiet one 5000 water pump, and starting the wave maker with 2 korlia power heads model 6. I have a 3rd powerhead but it stopped working. I also have an SWC 230 protein skimmer in my 75gallon refugiums. and 2 LED lamps.
I did a water test last night and the results are as follows:
ammonia 0-.5
PH 7.5
NO 2.5
NO3 180+
Gravity 1.025 - 1.026
I turned on the water heater this morning water temp is APX 73*
So my first question is: is the rock and sane still usable if its dead what can I do to treat it and start it up again. there is no signs of and algae or slim in the tank just some white spots or dots on the glass in some places.
how do I kick start the cycleing of the water.
what would be the first thing I should buy as far as snail crabs or things like that. and when should I?
Being that its 180 gallons makes it a little more challenging because things are so much. more fish more chemicals more "cleaner creatures"
I am looking to go slow I am in no hurry to get to the finish line, just want to go slow and be able to add things and be able to keep on top of things before they get out of hand.
I don't know much about the terminology like FOWLR or LFS things like that so if you keep that in mind I would appreciate any and all advise.
like I said I am open to anything, reef FOWLR or the like.
I have a local saltwater aquarium store but they deal mostly in fish and cleaning services for local business who have aquariums
thanks
Jack
