Starting my first 75 gal FOWLR...im making a list, please help me check it twice :o)

[kilofey]

What I have:
75gal tank
Stand
30gal sump (i think 30)
785gph sump pump w/ powerhead attatchment
2x 540gph powerheads
Heater 300 watt (upto 90gal)
Blue filter fiber
Carbon
Hydrometers (one big for accurate monitoring & one small one with a suction cup that stays in the tank for rough constant monitoring)
Salt
Bio balls (i know, some ppl have opinions about them, but if I have problems, I will remove them)
Possibly buying a RO/DI unit tomorrow, if all goes well (75gpd unit for $125 woo!)
What I know I need:
75+ lbs LR & sand (prolly 100 lbs LR & like an inch of LS)
light fixture (not sure which one yet)
SW test kit (api liquid kit)
FISHIES AND CRAWLY CRITTERS!!! (when tank is cycled)
Am I missing anything? If so, what are your suggestions? Keep in mind this is my first tank im trying to keep it as simple as possible but I also want a rock solid set up & want to do it right.... One more thing, if I get LS & LR straight from a persons tank and add it to my tank the same day, does it still take 6ish months to cycle? (if the person has lr and ls only in the tank, no fish)

 

[saxman]

Who told you that it takes 6 mos to cycle a tank? It's about a month, possibly less if it short cycles because you use established LR. A tank isn't MATURE until it hits 6 mos to a year old, depending on the particulars of the system, tho.
Lose the hydrometers and get yourself a refractometer. Swing-arm style hydrometers are incredibly inaccurate and aren't super repeatable in terma of readings either.
I won't get into the bioball thing, but you'll likely end up doing more frequent/larger WC's to keep the NO3 down eventually.
It's hard to evaluate your other equipment/plans because you haven't told us what you plan to keep (FOWLR, reef, etc).
Look into a good skimmer...

 

[kilofey]

Lol, my title says FOWLR, but if you are looking for more specifics, I plan on having a few cleaner shrimp, a royal gramma, six line wrasse, a goby, a blenny, an orchid dottyback, and a banner fish... I will be doing more research to see if those can get along, but ive read they are decent beginner fish and they get along with shrimp.
I read 6 months before u add your first fish on a sticky here, I believe it was faq, how to start a FOWLR... But thats awesome if I domt have to wait that long lol.
As far as refractometers are concerned, when I venture into corals and anemones and such somewhere down the line, I will definately be getting one, but for now im only goimg to be keeping "beginner" fish so I can wait.
I will get rid of the bio balls, btw, why do they add no3? Ive never really found a reason why they arent good, ive just heard different opinions about them... Theyre just plastic right?
Thanks for the answer )

 

[saxman]

Once your tank is cycled, you can begin adding livestock, HOWEVER, it must be done slowly (like maybe a fish or a couple of small fish no closer than two weeks apart to let the tank "catch up" to the new bioload). I think too many peeps run out and plop several fish into an immature setup and get "bit in the booty" because the tank spikes. Do note that you can have a cycled tank and it will "fall out of cycle" if it doesn't have a source of NH3, so you need to feed the tank, even if it's empty.
Don't you want your SG to be correct? Not a very good reason for not getting a refractometer, and they're MUCH easier to use. You also don't have to disassemble them for cleaning. Just a tip...
As far as why bioballs bump your 'trates: The reason they "work" is because they become colonized with aerobic bacteria. One species converts NH3 to NO2 and the other converts NO2 to nitrates, but that's where it ends. This leaves you to remove the NO3 via water changes because these aerobes can't use NO3 as a food source. This is also why media such as sponges do the same thing...no ANAEROBIC bacteria. You already have LR, and its outer surfaces are colonized by aerobes. HOWEVER, deep within the LR and the lower layer of your substrate dwell anerobic bacteria, which DO convert NO3 to N2 gas and water (this is why you often see bubbles coming from the substrate of an established setup). Thus, by adding more aerobic species, your tank is producing excessive amounts of NO3. That's a pretty simple explanation, but it's the "short" answer.
HTH

 

[kilofey]

Sax man, a little off topic, but are by any chance a member of thepufferforum? there is a member on there with the same HTH signature... Just curious )
Anyway, I will ditch the bioballs, and will consider a refractometer when I get the tank set up and have a little extra $... They are definately good to have, you do have a point there, im just seeing all the dollar signs at the moment, so I opted for a hydrometer to start with.
Do you have any knowledge about the fish ive listed above? Like if they can coexist with just one of each fish in the tank? And would I be overstocking with those 6 fish? I plan on going very slowly with my stocking, especially since ive never done this before, I want to make sure I do it the right way, not just a way that "will work" but possibly stress the fish, then they get sick

 

[scott t]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilofey http:///forum/thread/386281/starting-my-first-75-gal-fowlr-im-making-a-list-please-help-me-check-it-twice-o#post_3392124
Sax man, a little off topic, but are by any chance a member of thepufferforum? there is a member on there with the same HTH signature... Just curious )
Anyway, I will ditch the bioballs, and will consider a refractometer when I get the tank set up and have a little extra $... They are definately good to have, you do have a point there, im just seeing all the dollar signs at the moment, so I opted for a hydrometer to start with. I can tell you this if you are not looking to spend a lot of money you are getting into the wrong hobby. I have a 75G tank that I am in the process of setting up and I can tell you as of right now and I have not got everything I need that I have $2500.00 invested already. If you want to do it right then you are going to want to spend the money that you need. Most important is to do your Research. As you can see from my Join Date I have been researching for a long time.
HTH
Do you have any knowledge about the fish ive listed above? Like if they can coexist with just one of each fish in the tank? And would I be overstocking with those 6 fish? I plan on going very slowly with my stocking, especially since ive never done this before, I want to make sure I do it the right way, not just a way that "will work" but possibly stress the fish, then they get sick

 

[kilofey]

I just dont see the absolute necessity at the moment, I mean lots of people dont have a refractometer and have a successful tank. Im not looking imto any sensitive fish just yet, when my setup becomes more complex I will definately buy one... I assume most ppl with beginner fowlr tanks dont have one because all the things ive read and videos ive watched say if youre just startimg out, a hydrometer will be just fine.

 

[scott t]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilofey http:///forum/thread/386281/starting-my-first-75-gal-fowlr-im-making-a-list-please-help-me-check-it-twice-o#post_3392147
I just dont see the absolute necessity at the moment, I mean lots of people dont have a refractometer and have a successful tank. Im not looking imto any sensitive fish just yet, when my setup becomes more complex I will definately buy one... I assume most ppl with beginner fowlr tanks dont have one because all the things ive read and videos ive watched say if youre just startimg out, a hydrometer will be just fine.
Well that is true but you can get a good Refractometer for around $40.00 its a good investment to have, that is just my opinion, I have a glass Hydrometer in my QT and there is a Difference in that and what the Refractometer reads when I test the water. It is also good to have when you are mixing water for your water changes because you are going to get the most accurate reading using that over using a hydrometer. My feeling is if you are going to invest thousands of dollars into something then why not start out right!!!
Just my .02
HTH

 

[meowzer]

LOL.....
HTH=hope that helps.....it's not a persons signature
and I agree with getting a refractometer.....hydrometers Stink....
also remember you need to add the aggressive fish last

 

[kilofey]

I was under the impression they were like 200 bucks, 40 is definately doable. I will look for one in the 40-60 dollar range, any reccomendations for brands? Btw, are you a member of the pufferforum?

 

[scott t]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilofey http:///forum/thread/386281/starting-my-first-75-gal-fowlr-im-making-a-list-please-help-me-check-it-twice-o#post_3392151
I was under the impression they were like 200 bucks, 40 is definately doable. I will look for one in the 40-60 dollar range, any reccomendations for brands? Btw, are you a member of the pufferforum?
They sell a great one right here on this site in the store section and was very simple to calibrate also.... You should take a look at it, its the one I have and I love it, was one of the best investments that i made...

 

[scott t]

Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/386281/starting-my-first-75-gal-fowlr-im-making-a-list-please-help-me-check-it-twice-o#post_3392150
LOL.....
HTH=hope that helps.....it's not a persons signature
and I agree with getting a refractometer.....hydrometers Stink....
also remember you need to add the aggressive fish last
Oh yes Meowzer forgot to add that little Tidbit of information also.. Its a must to do you Research first before buying any fish.... Lots of great information on there, and always ask questions...

 

[kilofey]

Haha, hope that helps... Makes sense I feel silly... Anyhoo...
Which of these fish are the most and least agressive? this is the list I have decided I want in my tank, if there are any issues with compatability, please dont hesitate to tell me lol cause Ive looked at info on them and to me... They seem compatible but then again ive never had the personal experience with them.
3-4 cleaner shrimp
1 arrow crab
3 small Hermit crabs
3 turbo snails
1 orchid dottyback
1 Banner fish suggestions?
1 Blenny (not sure what kind yet) suggestions?
1 Goby (not sure what kind yet) suggestions?
1 royal gramma
1 six line wrasse

 

[saxman]

I'd ditch the arrow crab...they're predatory and might decide to eat your smaller fish.
Stay with scarlet reef hermits, as they're the most docile.
Turbo snails get huge, and you really only want to add them if you have a HA problem. I'd recommend a mix of snails for your CUC, and stock lightly at first until your tank "tells" you what it needs.
Here's a good primer for choosing a CUC: http://www.lionfishlair.com/cuc/cuc.shtml
HTH = Hope This Helps
I'm not a "puffer person", BTW, but I am indeed a Scorpaeniforme person...