Newbie Here with a really stupid question..Please help if you can :-)

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ann&mel

Guest
Ok..so we are setting up a 55gl tank for saltwater..FOWLR to start. We got the sandbed..argonite, the live sand to mix with it. We have a Tetra filter from the freshwater tank. So we were gonna let it cycle as we added to it..the skimmer, heater, ect...So my hubby sees this beautiful piece of live rock..He has to have it...Gonna help the tank cycle...so on and so forth. Now..question is..We dont have a heater yet. It was 70 or so today..heat was not on our minds, but The tank is at 68F right now. I know its gonna sound dumb to you guys who know what your doing but I am scared to death that the had to have $100+ peice of LR is gonna be dead and therefor one of the biggest and certainly not the least costly mistakes we will make. I cant belive I could possibly kill a rock...lol..ANd all this stress BEFORE weve gotten fish! Argh...don't know if I can take it! Please tell me this isnt going to happen? Please? Thanks to all the o'wise ones :)
 
crimzy

crimzy

Active Member
Don't worry about killing the rock. Liverock really helps a cycle. Some invert hitchikers may die during the cycle but this is a necessary evil. The beneficial bacteria will remain and repopulate on the rock.
 
yimmy

yimmy

Active Member
I know fish corals and all marine life won't tolerate that, as for the rock and the benneficial bacteria in there I'm not really sure.
 
robpsca

robpsca

Member
Hey ann&mel
just called my LFS to make sure.
the longer the temp is low in your tank without a heater it will stunt the growth of all the creatures that live within it. it can also kill these creatures. best bet is to go get a heater from a local pet store before everything is affected. as Yimmy just said. fish and corals can not tolerate a huge swing in temp i've heard and read no more then 2 degrees either way. up or down. so it would be safe to say the living creatures on and in the rock will not tolerate it either
Hope this helps
welcome to the boards
research, read and ask. Good Luck
P.S. the only stupid question is the one that is NOT asked
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Just get a cheapo heater from wally world and put it in there. The only dumb question on here is : HEY, I GOT THIS $200 FISH TODAY AIN'T IT PRETTY, any one know what it is or what it eats? Welcome, read, ask questions, read, and then read again before buying any fish. Learn from someone that has already made the mistakes. And no, you can't put a bunch of tangs in the 55. Ha!
 
robpsca

robpsca

Member
Originally Posted by hot883
Just get a cheapo heater from wally world and put it in there. The only dumb question on here is : HEY, I GOT THIS $200 FISH TODAY AIN'T IT PRETTY, any one know what it is or what it eats? Welcome, read, ask questions, read, and then read again before buying any fish. Learn from someone that has already made the mistakes. And no, you can't put a bunch of tangs in the 55. Ha!
how bout a humu humu? and a hippo?
EVIL GRIN
 
uberlink

uberlink

Active Member
I think I'd just buy a heater, as some have already suggested. You'll need one at some point, and they're one of the cheapest things in this hobby. You can get something just fine online for under $30. And isn't it worth that to sleep better at night?
 
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ann&mel

Guest
Thank you guys so much! I will get a heater ASAP..I am not even gonna attempt to put a fish in until I know I have it right..After I get the heater I will probably cycle with a peice of shrimp....Aside from the heater do you recommend anything else I have to have to complete the cycle process? Again thank you all very much :)
 
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ann&mel

Guest
Well I am looking at a master test kit with the strips..I have the hydrometer already..I didnt think I needed anything else just yet since I have no fish...but...Id like to know the state of my water so I can see if im on the right track...Or will it even matter until I have something in there to cycle? Will it cycle on its own without adding anything? It looks so pretty right now...lol..I dont want to mess it up! hehe Im looking into the heater right now..I got a portablw heater and its pointed at the tank..hopeing to warm it up to a normal temp for my rock...Thanks again everyone :)
 
mr_bill

mr_bill

Active Member
Originally Posted by Ann&Mel
Well I am looking at a master test kit with the strips..I have the hydrometer already..I didnt think I needed anything else just yet since I have no fish...but...Id like to know the state of my water so I can see if im on the right track...Or will it even matter until I have something in there to cycle? Will it cycle on its own without adding anything? It looks so pretty right now...lol..I dont want to mess it up! hehe Im looking into the heater right now..I got a portablw heater and its pointed at the tank..hopeing to warm it up to a normal temp for my rock...Thanks again everyone :)
I'm not a fan of the strip kit version, I use the kits where you actually mix the chemicals with a water sample from your tank. Now is a good time to practice with what ever kit you decide to get. Your readings should all be 0.00 unless that rock is having some die off from the inverts. Good call on the portable heater to get the tank temp up... it will raise the temp of the water, but get a thermometer in there ASAP so you dont go too high. I recommend a real thermometer that mounts inside the tank and not the sticker type.
 
intosw

intosw

New Member
HEY GUYS WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST SALINITY TESTER? I HAVE THE PLATIC FILL KIND WITH THE ARM. I WANT TO GET A BETTER ONE THAT IS ACURATE HAVE ANY OF YOU HAVE A DIGITAL ONE BECAUSE I AM LOOKING AT THEM NOW. ALSO I AM PUCHASING A CHILLER UNIT FOR MY 70g I DONT REALLY SEE ANYBODY CHATING OR RECOMENDING CHILLER UNITS.
THANKS KJ
 
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ann&mel

Guest
Wow..the heater worked fast...already up to 75! Im looking at a 200w heater from PetSmart...I got one down the road..Viso Term Deluxe..Is this ok? Also looking at a Berlin 90 Protein skimmer....Hubby wantes to make a sump to..So much to do...ANyhow..Any thoughts on these items? Thanks :)
 
mr_bill

mr_bill

Active Member
Originally Posted by Ann&Mel
Wow..the heater worked fast...already up to 75! Im looking at a 200w heater from PetSmart...I got one down the road..Viso Term Deluxe..Is this ok? Also looking at a Berlin 90 Protein skimmer....Hubby wantes to make a sump to..So much to do...ANyhow..Any thoughts on these items? Thanks :)
200w heater is a tad low but will probably work, I don't have experience with the Viso Term Deluxe so can't comment. I've never used the Berlin skimmer either, a sump is a good move. You'll add water volume and have a place for all the equipment to sit out of view. Check the DIY (do it yourself) forum for building a fuge. One can easily be made from a small second aquarium.
 
J

jdragunas

Guest
i'm not sure if it's been covered (and i know this isn't your question, but it's good info), but to ensure the survival of most of the hitchikers on the LR, you should do water changes during the cycle to keep your ammonia level at or below 1.0. This way, it's not too high to kill most of your hitchikers, but it does allow the cycle to continue. I made the mistake of not doing water changes. Everyone on here always talked about hitchikers they found on their LR, and i didn't have any...
also, the water tempurature may affect the LR, to play it safe, i'd buy a heater. you can get them for around $15-20, or a good one for $30. and how does 1 piece of LR cost $100??? OMG, that's wayyy too much $$$ to spend on one piece. This is what i would do... tell your hubby that you'll get other LR, and that it will look just as good. No LR is worth that much. You can buy "dead" base rock (which is dry) from any LFS, or even make it yourself (see the DIY forum). You buy mostly base rock, or 50/50... whichever you prefer, and then add a few pieces of LR. Then, you'll get the benefit of the LR (the hitchikers and pretty colors), but it'll cost much much less $$$. The LR will spread to the base rock, and soon enough the base rock will be covered in purple and green algae, and you won't be able to tell the difference. The hitchikers from the LR will multiply, so it's not like your missing out on anything.
and one last thing... the only stupid questions are the ones left unasked. Please don't hesitate to ask any question, not matter how dumb you think it sounds, because in this hobby, it's ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry.
 
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ann&mel

Guest
Yeah...I am in Mobile..Howd ya know that? R u stalkin me? lmao.....I was looking at the 200w heater cause it doesnt get very cold here often..and usually not for long. I also keep it nice and toasty in the house..between 70-75....Or should I just go ahead and get the larger one?
 
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