Someone could tell me what this is?

jhebi

jhebi

Member
Hi. I am new and don't know anything about saltwater fish. I bought an used tank with everything from a friend of mine. And he gave me this thing (pic).
What is this? Does anyone knows? Sorry for asking such a dumb question, but I don't know.
And also to start my saltwater tank, can I use distilled water? I heard from someone that is ok. If not where can I get R/O water?
Thank you and sorry
A guy wihout a clue~~~
oopps i forgot to put the pic
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Originally Posted by jhebi
Hi. I am new and don't know anything about saltwater fish. I bought an used tank with everything from a friend of mine. And he gave me this thing (pic).
What is this? Does anyone knows? Sorry for asking such a dumb question, but I don't know.
And also to start my saltwater tank, can I use distilled water? I heard from someone that is ok. If not where can I get R/O water?
Thank you and sorry
A guy wihout a clue~~~
oopps i forgot to put the pic
It's a used power head (ph) used to propel water. Ultimately with the use of a filter and ph's you want a turn over rate of about 10-25 times the size of tank. All depends what you have in it. I have a 55 gal. and have a 1,100 gallon per hour turn over.
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Distilled or r/o water can both be bought at walmar_ and remember NEVER use tap water.
Oh, and Welcome to the boards.
 
jhebi

jhebi

Member
thank you
so do i have to attach that on anything or just plug and put in the tank
sorry, still new for this....and thank you for the info on the water
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Originally Posted by jhebi
thank you
so do i have to attach that on anything or just plug and put in the tank
sorry, still new for this....and thank you for the info on the water
The top bracket is to put it on the top edge of the tank. The airline tubing is for more or less bubbles. IMO (in my opinion) you will not want bubbles in the water. What type of filter are you running and also how big is the tank? Do not use CC(crushed coral) in the tank. You will want to buy LS(live sand) and also LR (live rock) Live rock will also help filter the water and is recommended that you have 1-2 lbs. PER GALLON of tank size. It can be expensive but if you are just setting it up then get as much as you can now through the mail and it will cycle your tank. Regardless, you are still about 1 month away from putting fish in once you do start the water.
Do alot of reading and do searches on here to find out info on cycling etc. Also recommended to get a copy of "Finners" boof the Conseunces (sp) Marine Aquarist.
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Originally Posted by hot883
The top bracket is to put it on the top edge of the tank. The airline tubing is for more or less bubbles. IMO (in my opinion) you will not want bubbles in the water. What type of filter are you running and also how big is the tank? Do not use CC(crushed coral) in the tank. You will want to buy LS(live sand) and also LR (live rock) Live rock will also help filter the water and is recommended that you have 1-2 lbs. PER GALLON of tank size. It can be expensive but if you are just setting it up then get as much as you can now through the mail and it will cycle your tank. Regardless, you are still about 1 month away from putting fish in once you do start the water.
Do alot of reading and do searches on here to find out info on cycling etc. Also recommended to get a copy of "Finners" boof the Conseunces (sp) Marine Aquarist.
And the PH needs to be submerged in the tank before you plug it in.
 
jhebi

jhebi

Member
thank you
i already bought live sand, going to buy the live rock and also some water to start the tank.
I have 2 emperor 400. And do I really need a skimmer? and what do they help for?
thank you
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Originally Posted by jhebi
thank you
i already bought live sand, going to buy the live rock and also some water to start the tank.
I have 2 emperor 400. And do I really need a skimmer? and what do they help for?
thank you
Whats the size of the tank? Skimmers take out all undisolved solids suspended in the water. You will need one down the road but not anytime soon as we need to get through the cycle 1st.
Fish are NOT used to cycle a new tank. We will talk more about that when you get back to me about the size of tank. Barry
 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
55 is a good tank. Thats what I have. I have 2 ph rated at 170 gph and also 2 400 style of hang on back (hob) filters. I have crushed coral which I am taking out soon and live sand ontop of that. I have right now 75 lbs. of LR and I just got done buying another 40 lbs. of base rock.
Ok, since you have a 55, put your ls and lr in with your water (use reverse osmosis R/O or distilled) and salt. In the future when you add new salt water you will want to have it aerating for 24 hours first and then put it in the tank. Top offs (replacing water in tank that evaporates) is done ONLY with r/o or distilled never with salt water. Salt does not evap. just the water. You want your water to be about 1.024 specific gravity (sg).
After the water, sand rock is in, take a raw uncooked peeled cocktail shrimp from the deli as big as you can get and place it into the tank. LET IT ROT. You need to get ammonia started. This is where you start doing your reading on cycling a tank. Good luck, Barry
 
jhebi

jhebi

Member
yeah I already put the LS and LR and salt already. Today is the second day, how long do i have to wait?? And do i have to make any water changes while i wait to cycle.
I will put 2 shrimps and let it rott. And also i put 35lbs of LR, is that enough on my 55gl tank???
And skimmer, can i buy a cheap one, does it really matter if you buy a expensive or cheap??
Thank you and sorry for asking so many questions
 
rainfishy

rainfishy

Member
Hey, you've been getting a lot of good advice on this thread, and it sound like your off to a good start. Unfortunetly your goona have to wait for about a month before adding your first fish, like hot883 said.
35lb of LR is not enough for the long run, but its a good start. Eventually you'll want to have more like 75 to 100lbs.
As for skimmers, you'll eventually need one, but not yet. In this hobby a $100 skimmer is considered a cheap skimmer. And IMO you get what you pay for, but I run a cheap ($100.00) skimmer and it works fine for me.
Oh, and you'll need more than just that one powerhead. You want a turnover rate of atleast 10x per hour, but much higher is your going to have a reef tank, like 20x per hour.
So is this going to be a fish only tank or reef?? I'm excited for you, I wish I was setting up a new tank right now!!
 
jhebi

jhebi

Member
Most fish and some corals...little by little
And the skimmer when should i put it in the tank, after how many days, and should i do any water changes during the cycling progress???
any ways yeah I am going to go get some more LR today, about 20 more lbs. Those suckers are expensive....lol
And will get 2 power heads as well today.....I will keep in touch on my progress
I know I won't add fish for a month or so until all my stats are clear and ready to go...Will post pics and stat soon
Tkssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
 
jhebi

jhebi

Member
HERE IS THE PIC OF MY TANK GETTING CYCLE..
DOES IT LOOK OK :notsure:
SORRY I HAD TO CUT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PIC SINCE IS ONLY 500X500

 
hot883

hot883

Active Member
Looks real good. I think I would add more water to cut down on the splash. The salt will cover the bottom glass of the light and it will barely be coming through. Also, great rock work, just make sure the bottom pieces are ALL the way to the bottom and the ones on top are very sturdy and not wobly!
 
jhebi

jhebi

Member
Thank You...will Add Water Tonight
Now Just Wait And See The Cycling To End.....
Will Get My Readings Tonight Is The 3rd Day, I Will Post Later
 
jhebi

jhebi

Member
THESE ARE MY READINGS...
just did the readin of the salt on my tank, the reading came out 1.017 and 18
and my readings are ph 8, amo 1.0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5, AND I STILL HAVE THE 3 COOKED SHRIMPS ON MY TANK, SHOULD I TAKE IT OUT OR LEAVE IT...IT HAS BEEN 2 DAYS IN THERE. HOW ARE MY READINGS
AND ALSO I SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT I CAN PUT ONE FISH IN THERE TO CYCLE, A DAMSEL??
IS THAT RIGHT??
 
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