Just introducing myself

[stephish]

HI all!
I just wanted to introduce myself as I'm sure i'll be doing ALOT of lurking around here. I set up a tiny tiny little 2.75 gallon FOWLR for the first time about a month ago and finally put 1 damsel and 3 feather dusters in it 2 days ago, it also has about 2.5 pounds of live rock. I'm a fanatic about checking the water, like 2 times a day I'm paranoid about killing anything, I know this is overkill.
I'm going to start setting up a 20 gallon this weekend, just water and substgrate. Thankfully I have found a very friendly and knowledgable local shop. The first place I went was rude and didn't want to take the time with me. I have a ton of questions and am reading through everything on here so i'll try not to ask a bunch of repeat questions.
The pics y'all have posted are fabulous!!!! :joy:

 

[reefkprz]

welcome to SWF.com

 

[stephish]

Thank you!
I've wanted to do this for a long time! We had several very large freshwater tanks for years when I was a kid (dad's hobby) but he wouldn't do salt because of the expense.
Needless to say, i'm very excited. My husband laughs because I have been sitting in front of the little tank on and off for hours watching the damsel swim around and the feather dusters sway.

 

[reefkprz]

what ever you do dont add any more fish to that little tank.

 

[joebob7]

welsome to the forums by the way
i like saltwater tanks because of the amazing fish with vibrant colors
my parents think im crazy because im always trying to find new critters in my tank like small tube worms or featherdusters i know how it feels

 

[azfishgal]

:cheer: WELCOME! Go to amazon and buy "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist", tells you everything you need to know.
I have to say, you are pretty brave starting out with a small tank. I myself am starting the plans for a 125 gallon tank, as larger tanks are much easier to manage. It will be my first salt water tank (been doing freshwater for over 3 years), so I'm reading the book listed above from cover to cover and doing LOTS and LOTS of research before I even add water. Good luck with your tanks and look forward to seeing pics in the future.

 

[stephish]

No, nothing else is going in the teetiny tank. I know i'm pushing it with what's in there now.
Thanks for the rec. on the book, i'll have to pick it up asap maybe BAM will have it and I can get it this afternoon.

 

[azfishgal]

Originally Posted by stephish
Thanks for the rec. on the book, i'll have to pick it up asap maybe BAM will have it and I can get it this afternoon.
My lfs store had this book, but it was $40+. I got it on amazon for $26 and no shipping charge. So keep that in mind.

 

[volitan_fa]

How are you filtering that tank? I'm in awe that you can pull it off, I sure couldn't!
Welcome to the hobby, it's an addiction if I ever saw one. But you'll love it!

 

[stephish]

It has about 2 inches of coral sand in the bottom and a Penguin 100 bio-wheel filter.
I'm going to use different substrate in the 20 I'll look and see what I bought that the store recommended.

 

[volitan_fa]

So what kind of tank are you wanting to set up? I'm guessing a FOWLR?
Unless you're doing a Deep Sand Bed, you'll only need about 25-30 lbs of live sand. One of the benefits of going small

. BUT it is way harder. My first tank was a 10 gal FOWLR, so this is from experience for me.

 

[ophiura]

Originally Posted by azfishgal
My lfs store had this book, but it was $40+. I got it on amazon for $26 and no shipping charge. So keep that in mind.

It is also sold on this site from $23.99

book

 

[michaeltx]

Welcome to the Baord!! Feel free to ask anything you want even if its been asked before. Things can change rapidly in this hobby LOL
Mike

 

[ginarox]

welcome to the board..would like to see pictures...have a great night....

 

[stephish]

I'll have to get the digital out and take a pic of my little tank and share. I've been reading the CMA book recommended and am finding it very useful, thank you again!
I have the AgraAlive in the new 20 and the water started in another container (instant ocean, bacteria and dechlorinator in). I'm being patient, trying anyway.

 

[volitan_fa]

I hope you're not using tap water. If you are, do yourself a favor, dump the water, and start over with RO/DI water. You will be glad you did.
Although you CAN get by using tap water, it'll cause you a huge headache in dealing with things like that wonderful brown algae. RO/DI was the one thing I wish I had known about before I started

.

 

[volitan_fa]

Also, and this is just opinion, but I find that the Oceanic salt is better than the Instant Ocean. I've heard some bad stories about Instant Ocean, but have no idea how reliable they are. Never had a problem with my Oceanic salt though.

 

[stephish]

What exactly is RO/DI? something De-ionized?
I just checked and I used instant ocean for the tiny one but I have a jug of Oceanic to set up the new one. I also have aragonite and was told to put a shallow layer of it on top of the aragalive after the water was in. Does this sound right?
I'm very curious about the water situation new though...like I told the guy at the lfs I don't just want to keep the fish alive I want them to be happy.

 

[who dey]

 

[stephish]

Reverse Osmosis/ De-Ionized, I can see where this would be much better to start with, but I can't find where to get it. Or is this a buy the equipment and make your own thing?
HI back at ya Who Dey :joy: