Noobie has some ???????

saltynoob

saltynoob

Member
I have been wanting to do a SW tank for a while and I was just given a 20g tank that my brother used as a tropical fresh water. I had bought The New Salt Water Aquarium Handbook a few years ago and have read it on and off for a few years.
So away I went. I bought 20lbs of LS, 15 lb bag of instant ocean sea salt & hydrometer. Went home and washed out the aquarium, placed the under gravel filter inside and put the LS over top the filter. Treated 15 gallons of tap water first and then disolved the sea salt into it. Poured that into the aquarium trying my best not to disturb the LS that much. Specific Gravity at that time was 0.0122-0.0123.
In the stuff given to me was a Regent Aquatech 10-20 Power Filter (120 gph), I bought a 24" Current 65watt 10,000K satellite light unit, Stealth 200W heater and installed it at the same time. Next day I went to the LFS and bought 20lbs LR and 10 lbs base. Upon getting home placed that in the aquarium and arranged. Has been two days now and I have watched the Ammonia level jump as well as the Nitrite kinda cool.
QUESTIONS
The LR I bought was fairly new shipment to the LFS and I didnt brush it or clean it off when I got it home forgot to, not even sure if I needed to. Should I have cleaned it and what do I do at this point seeing how I havent?
Upon talking to the LFS I removed the undergravel filter before placing the LR in. I have read more than one place that maybe I should have left it in being a noob to the hobby. Also I read in the book I have that if I dont use a undergravel filter then my substrate level should have been 1/4 to 3/4 inch. I still have anywhere from 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" am I in trouble with that level of LS? Will it cause problems with bacteria or bad stuff?
Last thing, the LFS indicated that I should use RODI that they of course sell instead of Tap water that I treat. What does everyone think?
Thanks for the Help! :jumping:
 
garnet13aj

garnet13aj

Active Member
Is the book called the new salt water aquarium or the new marine aquarium? If it is The New Marine Aquarium maybe you should read it more thoroughly because I just finnished reading it and if you take even I minor look it will tell you to not use an undergravel filter at all, the book doesn't suggest it for any level of experience.
A 1.5" - 2.5" sand bed should be just fine. I would look into getting a protein skimmer, almost everyone on here will tell you they are worth getting if not essential. RO water is suggested by most people on here, I ordered an RO/DI unit and am waiting to get to to my appartment, but for a 20 g tank I would just buy it from your lfs or walmart also sells it. It's a safer bet than hoping tap water is good enough.
Good luck, it sounds like you're on the right track.
 
saltynoob

saltynoob

Member
The book is called "The New Saltwater Aquarium Handbook" by George C. Blasiola II. I picked it up in a Petland or something I believe.
I have plans to get a Fussion Nano Skimmer from Current-USA and a JBJ Submariner UV Sterilizer/Clarifier. Do you think those would be good selections?
Also, do you think I am going to have any issues with my LR seeing how I didnt clean off the debris that came with it when I bought it at the LFS? There is nothing else in my tank except the LS and Water at this point. Will it just cycle out ?
 
maeistero

maeistero

Active Member
you'll get a lot better read going through this site's forums than any singular book. it's pretty expensive to buy all the books, read them and form a collective opinion on your own. if you do get obsessed i'm sure you'll do that in time, but it's probably not necessary for your first tank.
no undergravel filter.
you'll want to use good water. before you go getting a filter, go to your government and get a water report. they're free, it's just a bit of time. that will tell you whether you actually need ro/di. for your size aquarium i agree it would be cheaper to buy from your lfs. NOT WALMART OR GROCERY STORES. ask them to do a tds test in front of you if your particular lfs is shady like *****.
 
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