NEW: Forum and Saltwater Aquariums.

[flintlbc]

Hello Everyone!!!
My name is Rayce. I'm new to the forum and new to the saltwater game. As of right now, i've just been doing as much research as i can, trying to get very familiar with the different types of saltwater setups and lingo that goes along with it. I know this forum has tons of information on it and members who are very Knowledgeable that can help me.
My Goals in the next few weeks:
Im planning on setting up a 20 gallon long FOWLR tank(Eventually A reef tank with easy coral to take care of)
I haven't set up the tank yet, im just getting all the equipment needed to set up a FOWLR tank.
Lighting: Coralife t5 (30 watt). I was using this light for my plant aquarium. It currently has a full spec bulb and 6700k bulb. Should i swtich the bulbs ? Is this light sufficient for a FOWLR tank?
Filter: I'm leaning towards a canister filter, but i do have a power filter at the moment(emperor). What canister filter would you guys recommend?
Substrate: Of course live sand, haven't decided on what type. Should i put the live sand in first or the live rock? I was thinking the live rock first so it can go through it's curing process. How many Lbs of live rock should i get for my tank?
Heater: 100W
Test Kit: I still need to pick one up, Not sure what brand.
Hydrometer, forgot what brand i purchased.
Water: I have RO filter. Hows is Kordon novaque and amquel for saltwater tanks? I've always used this for my freshwater tanks and they seem to do the trick? Do you guys recommend any other water treatments for the tank?
I purchased a nano skimmer from bigalsonline.com ( I sure someone's used it on this forum) any input on that?
I also Koralia Nano for water circulation(Only 15 dollars because of the black friday sale on bigals ):
Once the tank is cycled(Live rock cured+ beneficial bateria established)
I plan on on getting 1-3 small fish (1 clown+2 firefish)
Some snails to help keep the tank clean+ 1 shrimp.
Once that's established and everything is running smooth i plan on getting into a reef tank and a better light that supports growth
(Not anytime soon). What light would be good for keep coral, i was looking at the coralife lunar it's a dual light with leds (130 Watt)?
If i'm missing anything or you guys have advice please feel free to tell me. You're input will help me out a great deal with the learning process of keeping a saltwater tank. Thank you guys/gals.

 

[slice]

Welcome to the site!
Its good that you have done a lot of research before diving in, you will be much better off than a lot of folks.
The stickies at the top of this (New Hobbyists) forum has a wealth of information on setup and maintenance, if you have not already looked at them.
Some of the experts here will come by shortly and answer your specific questions, until then,
Welcome!

 

[florida joe]

What are the prerequisites for a reef tank down the road?

 

[flintlbc]

Thanks for the responses.
Down the road i plan on putting in some soft corals Mushrooms, Zoanthids, Polyps and Leather Coral. Not LPS/SPS because they are harder to take care of. thats why i want to become familiar with all the basics of setting up a salt water tank before getting into corals.

 

[florida joe]

Your set up look good and down the road you can turn it into a QT/HT
As far as the canister filter, i think its way overkill I would look into a hang on back filter for your size tank

 

[monsinour]

Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/382191/new-forum-and-saltwater-aquariums#post_3333812
Your set up look good and down the road you can turn it into a QT/HT
As far as the canister filter, i think its way overkill I would look into a hang on back filter for your size tank
But......
wouldnt a canister be able to provide enough cirulation, with a spraybar or something, that would then eliminate the need of a powerhead?
Just a thought.
@ OP: welcome to the boards, feel free to ask whatever questions you may have.
Rock goes into tank first and then the sand. Almost everyone does this the same day and many people have many different opinions on how to place the rock into the tank. The generally accepted method is to place the rock onto the glass and then fill in the rest of the tank with sand to your desired sand bed depth.

 

[king_neptune]

A flashlight is enough for a fowler. so your fine with a T5. SPS is doable under T5, but I highly highly doubt your going to be able to do them under a 30watt, but if your ok with lps, mushrooms,zoos ect, that too will be fine.Pick yourself up a spare 100w heater, they do fail. Having the second will give you time to discover it(I check all my heaters weekly)

 

[flintlbc]

I'll start setting up the tank next week, can't wait ^_^.
@ Monsinour- Thanks, ill most likely pick up 1/2 live 1/2 dry rock and let the tank cycle
@King_Neptune-Do heaters fail more often in salt water tanks because of the salt? Ill def keep an eye on that.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[deejeff442]

i'v never had a heater fail.but i have stuck one that was on in the water and it exploded.stupid me

 

[flintlbc]

Update: I currently have 3 small pieces of live fiji rock, some have little feather dusters on them. The tank seems to be doing good. The ph and salinity is stable, just waiting 2 more weeks for it cycle completely . I'm going to pick up 20 more lbs of live rock this friday. Also, i found two lights on craigslist that were a steal. The first light is 30" T5HO coraliffe (Currently Using) the other light i picked up is a USA current satellite dual lamp 24 hour lighting system. It's a compaq flourescent. 130 watt with fan and led. I plan on running that in the future once i get into coral. Both of the fixtures only cost me 100 bucks.

 

[flintlbc]

 

[fishhugger]

Welcome to the forums
Ive been hanging around here for the last 6 years, casually browsing, and I am just now setting up my first saltwater tank!...well I tried to start a 10g nano, but I was younger, and it turns out you cant rely on birthday/christmas money in this hobby >.<
I have used API master test kits for my cichlid tank and they always seemed pretty reliable to me, and they are readily available in most pet stores so thats one less thing you have to order. Just dont make the mistake of getting the freshwater test kit =P. I'm not sure what the real difference is, but it's probably not something you want to chance.
I think most members will agree, that any liquid test kid is a good choice. With a few exceptions for certain brands, but I dont know what they are off hand.
And definitely get a backup heater. I have had 2 fail in my cichlid tank, along with 3 filters. I ended up giving away all my cichlids, and here I am today =P.

 

[deejeff442]

there have been alot of people here that dont run a heater.i just have a 250 watt in my 250 gallon tank.

 

[fishhugger]

Well it also depends on how well insulated your room is and how its kept warm. Its about 20F here and my room is the corner of my home, so I have two outside walls. And depending on how often I add wood to the fire, sometimes causes a fluctuation in temp. My tank has stayed fairly consistantly at about 65F without a heater after I lost both of mine.
There's a lot of things to take into consideration there. So if your climate is anything like mine, get a backup heater.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by deejeff442 http:///forum/thread/382191/new-forum-and-saltwater-aquariums#post_3338434
there have been alot of people here that dont run a heater.i just have a 250 watt in my 250 gallon tank.

I removed my heater months ago. I figure the house is warm and the tank stays the temp the house does. My mother likes it at 77 even in the summer. It is risky, if the house were to get cold for whatever reason, door open too long...just last week the heater went out, then the tank temp drops. Once my new sump is in I will most likely put the heater in there...I hate heaters, it seems they do more harm if they bad than anything else. At the same time..cold kills.

 

[meowzer]

I just recently put my heaters on.....the room the tanks are in gets hotter in the summer.....and colder in the winter.
I also only have one 250W in my 225G (the other broke) BUT it seems to be holding things good right now

 

[flintlbc]

Thanks for the input guys, i live in socal so the temperature isn't too bad. i have my 100 watt heater set at 73, but the temp in the tank is 79. Quick question is there a specific website you guys like to use to get your saltwater equipment? I've been using bigals for a while now and wanted to know if there is a cheaper website. Thanks

 

[deejeff442]

i got most of my stuff lately especially tanks 250,33,55 gallon tanks on craigslist.walmart for stuff like heaters and hob filters.ebay stores for alot also.

 

[flintlbc]

 

[flintlbc]

^ Update on my tank, just added about 25 lbs of fiji rock. When i was putting the live rock in, i found a little nassarius snail in the bucket that held the rock. Since this is a new tank, what should i feed the little fellow.