Overwhelmed already!!!!

[siptang]

I actually threw all the rock at once since this is a new tank with nothing inside. (my friend's 110)
your sand sounds fine.
I'm giving him 10 gallons of my water weekly. (going on 2nd week now)
and his parameters are coming around. On the third week when and if all the levels go down to zero, we are going to throw in a damsel and see how that goes.
If you have a buddy that can spare GOOD established water then it will speed up the process.
I aimed this for 3 week job when I was setting up his tank. I know, impatient but looks so empty and sad lol.

 

[cubnb79]

damsels bad!!!! lol

 

[firekat96]

I don't have any friends with a SWT to get water from. Is all live sand better than mixing with CC? and will 2" be enough in the bottom?
Ya'll are such a huge help...

 

[firekat96]

And what are the powerheads I see evryone talking about?

 

[florida joe]

Quote:
Originally Posted by firekat96 http:///forum/thread/387223/overwhelmed-already/20#post_3405658
I don't have any friends with a SWT to get water from. Is all live sand better than mixing with CC? and will 2" be enough in the bottom?
Ya'll are such a huge help...
please buy a book on the hobby

 

[gemmy]

I recommend the conscientious marine aquarist.

 

[cubnb79]

koralia powerhead is whats recommended its basically a fan to make current in the water like there is in the ocean

 

[firekat96]

Quote:
Originally Posted by cubnb79 http:///forum/thread/387223/overwhelmed-already/20#post_3405683
koralia powerhead is whats recommended its basically a fan to make current in the water like there is in the ocean
Are they a must and how many would I need for a 36gal. I am going to buy a book tomorrow..

 

[snakeblitz33]

Before you buy anything else, I suggest you read a couple of really good books.

 

[teresaq]

one to 1 1/2 inches of aragonite sand (you dont really need to spend the extra money on live sand) and good base rock (look at marco rock) and just a couple small pieces of live rock will do you just fine.
you only need about 30 to 40 lbs of sand for a 1/12 to 2 inch and you can pick up Aragonite reef sand for under 30 buxks.

 

[jerth6932]

I recommend the conscientious marine aquarist.
Wonderful pick up for me last year and I had been doing sw for 5 years prior! +1 recomend

 

[firekat96]

A big THANK YOU to you all. We are headed to the lfs today to get these few things and get the cycle started. If I can figure out how to post picks I will as soon as we get it going. Even with the book nothing beats talking to someone with expereance and first hand knowledge so I'm sure I will have more questions just bare with me and you willl help make one 5yo very happy!!
Shane

 

[rainbow grouper]

clownfish are easy to look after an Ideal starting point for many saltwater hobbyists also its best to get nitrates nitrites and ammonia either 0 o very low right from the start

 

[rainbow grouper]

the test kits cost about 10 to $20 by the way

 

[florida joe]

Quote:
Originally Posted by cubnb79 http:///forum/thread/387223/overwhelmed-already/20#post_3405683
koralia powerhead is whats recommended its basically a fan to make current in the water like there is in the ocean
and why is this important in our inclosed system

 

[cubnb79]

so your tank has water movement for reefs to simulate the ocean and breaks at the top of the water for better gas exchange

 

[florida joe]

Actually IMO our bio filtration system is based on fixed bacteria colonization. The colony’s need to come in contact with nutrient rich water to do their jobs. Power heads are the primary way we produce this movement within our closed system tanks

 

[cubnb79]

hey that works too i just know some of the basics so first thing i've learned today...in my 55g i have two koralia 750 and im thinking about adding a 3rd

 

[firekat96]

Well went to our LFS today and he was very helpful and not trying to sell me a bunch of crap. Got the the live sand and rock in and have it filled up so I guess it's time to just sit and watch the cloudy water for a few days. I ended up just buying his premixed water it was only $6 per 5gal, I couldn't have bought the RO water and mixed it myself for that price. Pics coming soon I hope. Also got a book!!

 

[jerth6932]

Quote:
Originally Posted by firekat96 http:///forum/thread/387223/overwhelmed-already/20#post_3406032
Well went to our LFS today and he was very helpful and not trying to sell me a bunch of crap. Got the the live sand and rock in and have it filled up so I guess it's time to just sit and watch the cloudy water for a few days. I ended up just buying his premixed water it was only $6 per 5gal, I couldn't have bought the RO water and mixed it myself for that price. Pics coming soon I hope. Also got a book!!
What book did you get?