Starting a new 70 gallon reef

rickyh24

rickyh24

Member
Just started ordering supplies (skimmer, powerheads etc.) I'm going to go inquire about a tank and stand this week. I used to have a 50 so I already have a 36 x 18 vho set up that I'm going to stick with. I was just trying to plan out what to add after the cycle. I'm just playing around with orders real quick would the attached image be too much to add after the cycle is complete? I pretty much just added the Flame Angel to get free shipping. I was originally planning on just adding the cleaning crew and pods. Let me know what you guys think.
 
rickyh24

rickyh24

Member
Also how many pounds of rock should I get?? I'm going to start it out with dry rock and let it go live. I was thinking 75 but after seeing pics of other tanks I don't think it would fill it too much. I can always add live rock to it after right? and that will help the Dry rock become live?
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
Ok. Not sure why this thread hasn't been replied to, but I will give it a shot for you and hopefully others will follow. First, the stock list you have will not work. You cant add star fish, etc to a newly cycled tank. It will starve, along with the emerald crab. You need to get a few snails and hermits to start for the initial algae bloom. And then slowly start adding more stock as your biological filtration increases. Also, do you plan on keeping corals in this tank? Cause it is hit or miss with a flame angel on whether they will nip at polyps and such.
As far as the rock goes.....you will need to seed the dry rock with actual live rock, and even then it takes awhile. And IMO I think you should do around 70-75lbs of live rock for this tank.
There are some good threads on tank setup, etc. that are at the top of the newb section that will help you a great deal! But when in doubt ask...
 
rickyh24

rickyh24

Member
Cool thanks for the help. When you say a few do you literally mean 3 snails and 3 crabs? Or can I add like 10 of each after my cycle?
Yeah I'm definitley going to have Corals I had a flame angel in my 50 reef and it seemed ok. I know I'm taking a chance. Nothing is set in stone right now. I bought the 50 reef off a friend so this will actually be the first tank I start from scratch.
You don't think I should use the dry rock at all?? I was going to order 70 pounds of it and then add some live from a lfs. Or should I forget the dry and go with the live rock from this site for my cycle? I mean the cycle is going to kill the rock anyways right? So why not go with dry?
 
D

denniscoy420

Guest
I would go with 70% dry and 30% live and I woundnt get the flame angel for about 3-4 months
my angel is great she doent nip at any corals but I feed everyother day and on the odd days I put in a alge sheet
Goodluck and start slow woth clowns and a few crabs and snails hen get the wrasses then the harder fish like the flame angel or a butterfly ( EATS CORALS ALL DAY) get a new fish every 2-3weeks or so the longer the better
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
Originally Posted by RickyH24
http:///forum/post/3281655
Cool thanks for the help. When you say a few do you literally mean 3 snails and 3 crabs? Or can I add like 10 of each after my cycle?
Yeah I'm definitley going to have Corals I had a flame angel in my 50 reef and it seemed ok. I know I'm taking a chance. Nothing is set in stone right now. I bought the 50 reef off a friend so this will actually be the first tank I start from scratch.
You don't think I should use the dry rock at all?? I was going to order 70 pounds of it and then add some live from a lfs. Or should I forget the dry and go with the live rock from this site for my cycle? I mean the cycle is going to kill the rock anyways right? So why not go with dry?
Yes, you can add 10 crabs and 10 snails to start, and you will end up adding more in the long run. You can use dry rock, just put live rock on top of it to seed it. And this takes awhile. And no the cycle does not kill the live rock. The cycle is started with the dye off from the live rock. Things that have died on or in it from transport. But it is still "live rock". Like I posted earlier, check out the threads under the new hobbyist section, it explains it in great detail. Goodluck!
 
rickyh24

rickyh24

Member
Ok I'll go browse in that forum. Oh and just to clarify my tank is actually going to be a 65 not a 70. I'm thinking about placing an order for 50 pounds of dry rock and 50 pounds of live fiji. That should be ok for a 65 right? I figure I won't have to add any rock in the future if I go that route.
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
Well, that would probably be too much rock IMO. I believe that depending on the type of rock, in this case figi live rock, it is recommended to use 1-1.5 lb per gallon. Oh and dont forget to post pics for us!
 
rickyh24

rickyh24

Member
Originally Posted by luvmyreef
http:///forum/post/3281940
Well, that would probably be too much rock IMO. I believe that depending on the type of rock, in this case figi live rock, it is recommended to use 1-1.5 lb per gallon. Oh and dont forget to post pics for us!

65 x 1.5 would be 97.5 You think going 2.5 pounds over would be pushing it? I guess I could just order 45 pounds of the dry rock and go with 50 of the live. Its just kind of a pain to buy live rock under 50 pounds since I don't have a great lfs store around here.
How much would you start with in my situation?
I will probably use this thread to document the tanks progression. I wil ldefinitley post pics. I'm hoping to pick up the tank next week. I have already order a ro/di unit, skimmer, heater, powerheads etc. I just need the tank, stand, salt, rock and sand and I'm good to go. I saved the vho setup I had from my old 50. Its the only thing I kept so I'm going to stick with that for the lighting system.
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
Well, I was thinking that it might be too much, but its your tank. I have over 100lbs in my 75. It will depend upon your aquascape. If it was me, I would start out with around 70-75lbs of live rock or mix it with dry. And add as I went. It is what I have done. for ex: I added a large flat rock for my zoas, etc. So it will depend upon what you want. But If you do buy 100lbs, if it looks to be too much for your tank, just remove some of the dry! So, go for it!! And yes, please post pics......
 
rickyh24

rickyh24

Member
Couldn't I still get the 65 and just make sure any lps corals I get are up higher in the tank until I'm able to upgrade my lighting. Mushrooms and Zoo's would still be ok on the bottom right?
 
rickyh24

rickyh24

Member
Everything is ordered for my tank and should be here this week. Canopy is painted and it looks great sitting in the living room. just need to get it going now. My dry rock should be here tomorrow then after that I'm just waiting on my HOB fuge and my 50 pounds of Vanuatu rock which is shipping out Wednesday. My RO/DI system is making water as I type this. I will just aerate and heat it until it is time to mix it up.
Should I run the fuge while my tank is cycling?? I was thinking no since there would most likely be nothing in it anyways right?
Here are some pics of the setup so far.


 
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