New tank build up

mattkelso

mattkelso

New Member
Hey i am a newbie at this guys and will need some help.
I just purchashed a used 60 gallon its 48 w x 25 h x 12 1/2 d
it had crush coral from the owner already in and i was wonder if i could top that with live sand or i should drain it and get it out. I already have it cycling checked all the levels and salinity and its look good owner said to have good buildup on biowheel so i should be looking good pretty soon. But i really need help with this build. In the hoods their are 2 elcipse natural daylights 18'' i know i need stronger lighting please give me some suggestions and keep in mind im a student. Any suggestions on live rock and starter inverts coral or fish would be helpful thankyou.
-matt
 
ajroc31

ajroc31

Member
I am not sur what you are interested in, but I think you should sit down and think about what you might want in the future. I made the mistake of not planning things out, and the cost went very high very quickly. The problems with light is that they are expansive, some could be very. I went through pc, to mh, back to pc, and back to mh, and finally I I have t5 HO and 150 mhs. I am happy with that, but than again I am only keeping soft corals. If money is an issue, as it usually is for the students, you could just start with some basic inverts and small fish for your tank. Please whatever you do, don't buy any tangs or fish of similar size, they are just too big and its cruel. As for live rock, I have my tank stacked with it, so now I am in a process of getting it out. My fish seem to really enjoy extra swimming space, so I would suggest start with little, just to see how you like your scape, and to provide some hiding spaces. I would show you a pic of my tank, but its going through a rebuilding process, and its not ready for show, considering some of the tanks that are posted here. Best suggestion I could throw your way, is to keep reading until you find what you are looking for. One thing I learned here, is that people have very different experiences with same fish, or corals, or equipment. Things are not very universal here. As for stacking your tank, from more popular things that you could readily find in your lfs, flame angels are very nice, I love valentini puffers, six line wrasse, cleaner wrasse, some cleaner shrimp, serpant starfish, blue leg, or red leg crabs, turbos. The list could go on, but here are some basic things.
 
rort

rort

Member
I am new like you and have just set up a very similar size tank.
The thread just for new hobbyists have taught me so much. There is a lot of useful information there... But you have to read and get as much information as possible. I have gone through at least 6 books, and have plenty of discussions with members here. You can never stop learning more about it! After 6 books I still have tons to learn.
As for the student part... good luck. I am a student too and I lucky have a good paying job to help secure me in this hobby. Even then I am having to cut back on a lot of things. Price things out online stores (like this one) and find the best price for the best item. I learned early on that it is better to spend the little extra rather than going really cheap for equipment.
Just my 2 cents...
 
ajroc31

ajroc31

Member
YOu want something with a fine grain. It does not have to be very small, but crushed coral will trap waste in it, and your tank will be a phosphate factory. I had to take that crap out with the tank set up, trust me its not fun.
 
mattkelso

mattkelso

New Member
what a great time to get laid off
o well ill still be getting money with side jobs.
Im planning for right now i would just settle with a live rock and fish , invert tank untill i get some money saved up for some good light because i want to have the equipment to support soft corals Could you name some thing thats ill need right now i only have tank filter lights salt test kit and a hydrometer. Right now i have the tank filled up with water and theres crushed coral at the bottem, should i drain it or just remove with all or some water in? Im going to start with live sand on the bottem anyone have any recommendations on where to get some?
 
ajroc31

ajroc31

Member
If you have RO water, I would leave it, and take out as much CC as much as it is possible. Don't worry about getting the lights, once you cycle your tank, maybe get few fish or some inverts, then you will decide what you want to do with the tank. Give it some time, besides I would not attempt a reef at least 6 months after the cycle ended, maybe even a year, just that your system is nice and stable, full of life.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
honestly, CC isn't that bad, if you know how to take care of the tank. Gravel vacuuming every week is absolutely necessary.
Personally, however, I would go with live sand. As long as you have good flow at the bottom of your tank where no detritus can build up over time you're good.
I wouldn't start with any corals or anything at all for a long time. It gets addicting, and being a student is hard enough without having to worry about money for your aquarium.
Also, later on, even though you think you may know everything there is to know about saltwater aquarium husbandry, there is always something to learn. Trust me.
 
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