First time Set up...Opinions Needed.

[odglock19]

Hi Everyone
I got my first set up yesterday I know you will laugh but it's only a 12 gallon tank with built in mech. filter....I set it up yesterday...put in the live sand and live rock.....I got a small tank because it's my first one and I want to get used to maintaining and all of the basics so this way i can move on to a bigger tank and use this one for something else...does anyone have any suggestions or info.they can give(what to do...what NOT to do)...or anything I should know.....it would be greatly appreciated...thank you in advance.

 

[earlybird]

Hello and welcome. Search around and get familiar with this forum. Lots of good stuff in the archives. Few things I can recommend: Get some test kits if you don't already have some. Wait until your tank cycles before you do anything else. Top off your tank with fresh water not saltwater daily but be careful of tap water. It's best to use RO/DI or RO water that has ZERO nitrates and phosphates as they will lead to nusiance algae(test your water source). Learn what ich is and how to battle it there are only two proven ways, hypo and copper. Quarantine (qt) all new arrivals for 3-4 weeks before adding them to your tank to make sure they don't come down with ich or any other disease or parasite. Understand that smaller tanks are harder to keep because the margin for error is much smaller. These are just a few of my suggestions. Use that search function above, it's great. Good luck.

 

[odglock19]

I don't currently have any test kits as the owner of the place I bought it from told me to put the sand and then set up the live rock how I want it and then add the water and he did tell me to top it off with the distilled water whenever it evaporates and to do a one gallon change every week...he also told me to come back with a water sample on Tuesday and he will see if I can add some fish to start...I don't know too much about the whole thing but will be educating my self as much as I can.

 

[earlybird]

Do a search for the nitrogen cycle and understand the ins and outs relating to the aquarium. He's going to try to set you up with damsels b/c they can live in high ammonia levels where most other fish will die. It is still painful for the damsels and most people that do this end up getting rid of them after time anyhow. Patience is very important and will lead to success. There are products that claim to help speed up the cycling process but it's marketing and I don't believe it. Get yourself a kit for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH to start. Monitor those levels until ammonia and nitrites are at zero then you can add your first fish. Check this out https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists

 

[perfectdark]

Welcome,
First thing to say is you are going to get a ton of different ways to do many many things to your tank. There are people in here that have reconfigured the way their filtration system works in their tank entirely. And there are others that have eliminated everything but a carbon bag in the back of their tanks for filtration. 2 ends of the spectrum and both work perfectly, in fact there is a member here that has the later of the 2 scenarios. IMO has one of the best looking tanks on this message board. BoneBreak check his tank on his thread. Just to let you know there are a lot of opionions to read.
You would be wise to set your tank up sand, live rock and salt water. Start it up make sure everything is working right check your LR set up see if u like its placement. Run the tank for at least a day like you want it, then decide for yourself how you want it to cycle. You will learn all about your nitrogen cycle and its effects on your tank, read alot, and ask questions. My tank is almost 3 months old and is doing very well. I am new to this too but I read asked and then proceeded. I cycled using BioSpira 24hr cycle, about 22 hrs later I added my 1st fish. She is fine still and doing very well, thats what i did others will tell you differently. If you decided to let your tank cycle naturally the process is usually 2 weeks then if you water checks out you add a couple of fish usually damsels are the fav. Again MO is what I am voicing and it has worked for me. Test kits are important, I used the strips in the beginning as they give you a good guidline to follow. Not as exact as the test tube kits but if your LFS is going to test for you in the beginning then let them, and you use the strips for a while. IMO a necessity is a Refracometer, not a hydrometer for testing your salinity, its much more acurate and its somthing you will most def want in the future.
Good luck and I hope that helped.

 

[odglock19]

Ok I will go and buy the test kits I need when i get out of work today....and also look into the Refracometer....do i need a heater for the tank or is it not necessary right now?...and I keep reading about "Clean up Crew" fish that feed on algae, bacteria and biological waste...are any of these necessary?...thanks again guy for all of the help.

 

[perfectdark]

A Clean up crew is most definatly needed, hermits and snails are very common but there are other types of things you can add too. Your heater may not come into play for where you live but IMO I would have it. Large swings in temperature can hurt your inhabitants just a good idea. Put it in the back chamber of your tank and set it for 79 if it has to come on it will. I say for a 12 gal tank a 50W heater is pleanty.
And like I said you are going to hear alot of what people have done and what they recomend and what is or isnt a good idea. All I can tell you is what has worked for me. I didnt use damsels I put a Royal Gramma in my tank 22 hrs after BioSpira and approx 48 hrs from start up. Maybe I was one of the fortunate ones, my ammonia levels were zero from start up. I tested every 2 days and according to the test strips I used I had no indication. But like I said, read all and make your own decisions.

 

[odglock19]

Thank You...Well I started up everything at around 6pm yesterday and I have no idea what that bottle he gave me was called it's a white bottle with blue writing...ill look when I get home and I will stop on the way to pick up the testing supplies and the heater...thanks again.