I`m a real green rookie and jumping into this full speed ahead,need some help and answers.

[2blades]

I`m starting up a 180gal,its 72" long 24" wide.My first ? is I got excess to live sand from the gulf,can I use it,plus how deep should I make it.I`ve been told I couldn`t from my local dealer,but he might just be trying to sell me sand.All info from you in the know sure would be appreciated.I live in Ocala Florida if any of you know anyone in the business that you know is trust worthy in central Florida would also be appreciated.Thanks

 

[meowzer]

WELCOME TO SWF!!!
I believe the consensus is NO on beach sand.....since you have no clue what can be in it....it's probably contaminated
you do not need 100% live sand...get 80% dry...and 20% live.....after you add your rock also...it will all eventually become live anyway
depth is up to you.....I have 2" in some tanks, and 4" in my 225G....may also depend on what you want to keep in there
SO, what equipment do you have already?

 

[monsinour]

yea, the beach sand is a no no as you have no idea whats in it. I agree with the majority of dead sand and little of live sand. Lets hear what you have, what you plan to get, and what critters you want in the tank!

 

[2blades]

Picked the tank and stand up last Wednesday and its looking bare and empty,but I got a gal coming in next week to give me help setting it up,she does this for a living and met her through a friend of my wifes so I kind of trust her,she did say I would end up putting about 3K inti this when its all done.She also told me it would take about a month to get the water and everything right before I could even think about anything fish wise.Is that about the right time span.The top of this tank lid has four holes drilled in it fo the over flow and filtration stuff.She did look at the tank and it was in good shape ,its used and I got the tank and stand for $850 which I thought was cheap since everybody else wanted at least 1200 or more.Any suggestions will be appreciated,I know I`m jumping into something that could get down right expensive.But I`m retired and want to get into it.

 

[flower]

 

[2blades]

I just found out I need a new light set up for my stand,I need some recommendations.I was looking in a magazine at the Giesemann Moonlight.What do you pros think??

 

[monsinour]

Geismann make excellent lights from what I have been told.

 

[scott t]

Welcome to SWF, I wish you the best in building your tank. You will def find lots of people here that are willing to help you on your way.. Just remember to do your research and ask many many questions. I have been researching SWF for over a Year and now am just getting ready to set up my tank.. Good Luck with everything!!!!!
Oh, and one must in this hobby is that you have a QT (quarantine tank) where you put your fish for a min of 3 weeks to observe them to make sure they are not sick and do not have parasites that you will introduce to your DT..

 

[2blades]

Thanks ,I plan on using this site alot for info and ordering stuff when that stage finally gets here.Just surfing the forum has helped alot.

 

[scott t]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2blades http:///forum/thread/382229/i-m-a-real-green-rookie-and-jumping-into-this-full-speed-ahead-need-some-help-and-answers#post_3334814
Thanks ,I plan on using this site alot for info and ordering stuff when that stage finally gets here.Just surfing the forum has helped alot.
Yes it has helped me a lot to, there is a lot of great information from experienced people here. I am so glad that I found this site, if I had not I don't think that I would have had then courage to go forth and set up a SWF tank. Make sure you shop around for the stuff you need to find the best price.. I can PM you a few other places that I have ordered from if you would like..

 

[2blades]

Appreciate any new info Scott T,I`m looking for lights and a new overflow pump now.I`m thinking on the lines of the Superskimmer combination.The tank is a 180 gals and I don`t want to come home to a living room full of water,so I`m giong to make sure I have a big enough set up.

 

[2blades]

Took pics of my tank ,but can`t get them on the site.How do I post them?

 

[geoj]

Click Post, then look for the Insert Image in the tool bar, then Browse,click on the pic, Submit

 

[2blades]

 

[2blades]

Thanks for your help on how to put the pic up.Kind of simple once you know how.Anyhow I got eight Damsils in it and eight bags of live sand and a few live rocks but no Coral yet .Was told I have to wait till the Nitrate is right before any corals or more fish go in.Going to put a few more live rock in.I have a 410 gal Refugium under the tank was going to put a Super Simmer too but was told I didn`t need it with this set up.Durn thing is costing me alittle more than I thought but what the hell its going to look good when its all done.

 

[jstdv8]

Looks like you need alot more live rock in there. And I only see 1 powerhead. in a tank that big you either need large powerheads or 4+ semi large ones.

 

[2blades]

Yea I`m ging to get alot more live rock,but on the power head, the one I have in there is a 2800 and it pushes a pretty good flow.I thought about maybe putting a small one in but decided against it.Unless when I load up with rock I might go with another one.

 

[jstdv8]

I'd be concerned that the water movement would be pretty minimal at the other end of the tank.
It is 6' long so thats a long ways for water to be pushed and moved, once you get more live rock in there the porblem will be even more complicated.

 

[2blades]

If I got another power head what size and where would you place it?The water does slow down at the far end of the tank ,but the food goes in a complete circle.

 

[jstdv8]

Id get the rest of your LR in there, get it situated the way you want it and then decide where to put the powerhead, likley going to be in the exact same spot as the first one but on the other end.
Also to keep PH levels up and CO2 levels down you should have ripples on the waters surface going all the way accross the tank (the bigger the better) I'm guessing there arent much for ripples on the far side right now and that if you look up at the surface of the water from underneath through the face of your tank you can probably see buildup (looks kinda oily) on the surface at the far end. If this is the case you don't have enough surface aggitation.