New to SW: Need help

bdg7884

bdg7884

Member
I am new to the Saltwater thing I was just wonering if you guys could give me some tips. I just set up a 38 gallon. Nothing to spectacular. It has a back filter and a powerhead that runs on a timer. I have a normal light for now, I don't plan on buying coral or anything like that till I conquer fish. I was just wondering what the best way to cycle the tank is? Fish?Dead Shrimp? I have no clue. The LFS said I could use tap water but I read on here not to, so I used RO water instead. I am going to pick up LR from the LFS tomorrow, that helps cycle the tank right? What types of fish are good for me to have right now(as a beginner)?
Just some other questions:
What is a protein skimmer?
What is a nano tank?
If anyone can help me it is greatly appreciated. If I have anymore wuestion I will just post them. Thanks:help:
 
bigarn

bigarn

Active Member
No fish until the tank has cycled. RO water is OK. If possible get cured LRand put a frozen shrimp from your grocery store in there. DON'T cycle with live fish...it's torture for them.
Your PH should be running constantly, not on a timer, you want to maintain good water flow.
NANO means small....Therefore a Nano tank is a small tank. :D
 
T

tuningvis

Guest
before you do anything... or buy anything ... read a book on saltwater tanks.... saltwater for dummies is a good one.. you can get it at most book stores or at a *****.. your LFS should have some good reading too
do this before you get too far into it and will cost you 2 fold what you have put into it so far
 
dskidmore

dskidmore

Active Member

Originally posted by bdg7884
What is a protein skimmer?
A protien skimmer is a column where air and water are mixed, and foam is skimmed off the top. Apparently protiens like to stick to the edges of air bubbles. This removes organic wastes _before_ they start breaking down, instead of the usual filter routes of trapping debris and converting everything into nitrates that you have to take out with water changes. You still have to do water changes with a protien skimmer installed, but not nearly as much.
 
viet-tin

viet-tin

Active Member
refugiums are a great way to grow a good population of pods. It is a type of natural filtraion. It is also a good way for nutrient export. A very effective way to lower nitrate levels.
 
B

big911dog

Guest
Get and read The Simple Guide to Marine Aquariums by Jeffrey Kurtz. Easy reading, great book. Very explanitory in basic terms.
HTH
 
dskidmore

dskidmore

Active Member

Originally posted by bdg7884
Thanks for the help. Do the books really help? Anyone else?
Yeah, the books really help. You can get most of what you need to know online, but the author will share personal experiences, line up all the info in a logical order, and provide refrence charts and such that are handy to have.
Originally posted by bdg7884
Also what is a refugium? < I don't know how to spell it?

refuge = A place to hide and be safe.
refugium = A seperate aquarium where prey species and plants can hide from the hungry fish and invertabrates in the main aquarium. The refugium is plummed up so that it shares water circulation with the main tank, and small organisims like pods are "fed" into the main tank automatically. Plants need to be pruned manually and either fed to herbavores in the main aquarium, traded, or disposed of. These plants can help maintain water quality when regularly pruned. The refugium can either be placed beside or above the tank on display, or it can be hidden in the stand underneath.
 
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