newbie here with ?'s

cml4e

cml4e

New Member
Hello everyone!
Just got a salt water aquarium for christmas and I was just wondering what I was needing. Haven't had a chance to make it to the store to buy a book yet but I will tomorrow and also want to buy some other things while I'm there. So far I got
-16gal tank with floresent fixture
-stand
-live sand
-11lbs of live rock and was told I need 20lbs
-salt water that was already mixed from the store. I think they told me it was p/o water
I'm really new at this and loved and talked about learning but I didn't expect to get 1 this soon. Was wanting to do Fish with live rock.
So what would be a must have when I go to the store tomorrowto get me by till I read the book
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Welcome to SWF....The water is probably R/O is this live rock in the saltwater now? what type of filtration does this tank come with?
at first all you will need is your sand/rock/salt water and filter to begin your cycle
there are great threads all about this at the top of this section...
 
cml4e

cml4e

New Member
Thanks for the reply! Yes, the live rock is with the salt water now. All the water and rock is in the tank. I don't have the filter yet.
 
cml4e

cml4e

New Member
Should I get the heater tomorrow too or just the filter? Are there any brand filters that you recommend?
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
YIKES...I'm terrible at recommending filters...LOL....Do you have any water movement in the tank at all right now?????
 
cml4e

cml4e

New Member
nope what sould i get right away that'll get me by a little bit till i figure this out? lol I didn't expect to get 1 this soon but i'm going in the morning to the store to buy a book and whatever I need
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
At least get a powerhead and heater....you need to keep the water moving.....a filter would be a good idea...I just am not sure what to recommend
 
cml4e

cml4e

New Member
The people at the pet store sold my girlfriend the tank, rocks, stand, sand and water but didn't tell sell her anything else
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by cml4e
http:///forum/post/3195960
If you were me what would you get tomorrow? Thanks for the help btw
Get a Koralia 2 (powerhead) for some water movement. A heater (not sure what wattage...you have to look on the package) The Marineland Stealth heaters are good ones
A GOOD TEST KIT...LOL...one that you can test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and ph...DO NOT GET THE STICK TEST!!!! API makes a decent kit to start with
I would recommend a filter.....???...on the type
Let me ask you this...what do you want to keep in this tank?
 
cml4e

cml4e

New Member
I was wanting fish and live rock not sure on the types of fish yet.
Would I need a filter too?
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by cml4e
http:///forum/post/3195963
I was wanting fish and live rock not sure on the types of fish yet.
Would I need a filter too?
YES you will need a filter.....I would also get a protein skimmer (some people do not), but you will not need that until after your tank cycles....about 4-6 weeks, so you have plenty of time to look into them
OK....I have a 225G with a wet/dry sump
a 54G with a canister
a29G with a hang on the back Aquatech type filter
For a 16G...I think you can get away with the Aquatech type....just if you get the one with the bio wheel...don;t use the wheel.....IDK what your lfs will have
 
cml4e

cml4e

New Member
ok thanks I'll go to the store tomorrow and pick up those things along with a good book. I'll probably be here again pretty sonn asking more. You think it'll be a problem with no movement and no filtration till tomorrow?
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by cml4e
http:///forum/post/3195968
ok thanks I'll go to the store tomorrow and pick up those things along with a good book. I'll probably be here again pretty sonn asking more. You think it'll be a problem with no movement and no filtration till tomorrow?
WELL...there isn't too much you can do about it tonight....LOL
you can stir it by hand
IDK LOL
 
truperc

truperc

Member
IMO - I would not make many purchases at this time. I would focus on the research for now.
I would also suggest the tests meowzer mentioned.
If you do not have a thermometer, that is a purchase I would suggest.
Koralia's are a commonly used powerhead for flow, so I would say you may want to purchase a Koralia Nano.
With only a 16 G, this should be enough flow.
 
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