New Setup

[kraftybob]

I am a beginner building a small reef. From what I've read, I have all the necessary equipment. On a site like this, I figured people would enjoy telling me how to start. I don't like just following the formula given in a book or two...I'd like to get input from real people.
So, I've got the water the lighting all set, the powerheads in place, the filter and protein skimmer running, the temperature steady, and the water quality (temp, pH, specific gravity, etc.) is all good.
What do you recommend is my next step?
Thanks!

 

[dogstar]

???????
size of tank ?
water RO/DI or tap ?
Lights, MH PC VHO ? Watts ?
PH gph ?
filter Type sump, hot ?
sand LR how much ?
Is it cycled ?

 

[kraftybob]

Originally Posted by Dogstar
???????
size of tank ?
water RO/DI or tap ?
Lights, MH PC VHO ? Watts ?
PH gph ?
filter Type sump, hot ?
sand LR how much ?
Is it cycled ?
30 gal
tap water
vho 110W
not sure about gph
canister filter
not cycled yet

 

[dogstar]

Empty it out and use RO. Get some live rock and start your cycle. Keep researching HERE.
Small tanks with canisters are very hard to maintian for beginers although many do this, myself included when I started although I had a 120g as my first SW tank that gave me more room for mistakes. Your lighting is fine for many corals to maintain a small reef but IMO you should look into filtration like Overflows and sumps and refuguims, Live rock and sand, flow rates and turnover for best and " satifactory " results.