Super noob getting started

mute

mute

New Member
Hi all. Im so new to this even virgins have more experience than I do :scared:
Just bought a 46 gallon bowfront and stand. Im gonna run a reef tank. I love the live rock when all the life begins growing on it. Also like just a fish in the tank.
My questions are probably the same as many others, but I suck at using the search button, never get the right words to find what I need.
Anyway, the questions to start with are kind of basic. What kind of lighting? I want to stay away from metal hallides, my pocket cant take that to start with, and from what I hear there is something new out that is better?
What should I look for in a filter? How much sand should I have? (yeah, that depends on deep bed or not, do ya have any suggestions there?)
If I remember right I had heard 2 lbs of rock per gallon? Whats the neatest looking and the best place to buy from? Being a noob, should I get the cured or uncured?
Should the live sand sit and cure before adding live rock? When should I add the sand?
Basicly I guess I could ask, whats the next on my shoping list and what order should I do everything? Guess if this like many forums, Ill just get told to ive up before I start.. lol.
Thanks,
Jamie
 
criminal

criminal

Member
Originally Posted by mute
Hi all. Im so new to this even virgins have more experience than I do :scared:
Just bought a 46 gallon bowfront and stand. Im gonna run a reef tank. I love the live rock when all the life begins growing on it. Also like just a fish in the tank.
My questions are probably the same as many others, but I suck at using the search button, never get the right words to find what I need.
Anyway, the questions to start with are kind of basic. What kind of lighting? I want to stay away from metal hallides, my pocket cant take that to start with, and from what I hear there is something new out that is better?
What should I look for in a filter? How much sand should I have? (yeah, that depends on deep bed or not, do ya have any suggestions there?)
If I remember right I had heard 2 lbs of rock per gallon? Whats the neatest looking and the best place to buy from? Being a noob, should I get the cured or uncured?
Should the live sand sit and cure before adding live rock? When should I add the sand?
Basicly I guess I could ask, whats the next on my shoping list and what order should I do everything? Guess if this like many forums, Ill just get told to ive up before I start.. lol.
Thanks,
Jamie
Ok well if you like the look of live rock and you can't afford the lighting for corals and such right away thats fine (i'm in the same situation) and i suggest buying live rock, which can get sort of costly, i got cured because i wanted to jump right in but the cheaper way out is uncured but it will take a month or two to cure the LR with water changed everyday. i suggest 2-3 inches for your sand bed you can add your sand and then your LR right away it doesn't make a difference. i answered some of your questions i'm sure others would be more help.
Matt
 
glowplug

glowplug

Member
Your next puchase should be a book. Really- no joke-not being smart-you need a good month of research, a book is a great start, or just check out the noob stuff- easy to find- if you want equipment choice help, at least try a little to narrow down what you want, then run it by the boards and poeple will be able to give you more accurate advice, the book will help you get a PLAN- the plan will save many headaches
 
saltfan

saltfan

Active Member
I've never seen anyone being told to give it up on this sight. No matter how many times a subject has been touched on, or how oftern its written adn written, you will be helped out.
 
saltfan

saltfan

Active Member
Originally Posted by mute
Hi all. Im so new to this even virgins have more experience than I do :scared:
Just bought a 46 gallon bowfront and stand. Im gonna run a reef tank. I love the live rock when all the life begins growing on it. Also like just a fish in the tank.
My questions are probably the same as many others, but I suck at using the search button, never get the right words to find what I need.
Anyway, the questions to start with are kind of basic. What kind of lighting? I want to stay away from metal hallides, my pocket cant take that to start with, and from what I hear there is something new out that is better?
What should I look for in a filter? How much sand should I have? (yeah, that depends on deep bed or not, do ya have any suggestions there?)
If I remember right I had heard 2 lbs of rock per gallon? Whats the neatest looking and the best place to buy from? Being a noob, should I get the cured or uncured?
Should the live sand sit and cure before adding live rock? When should I add the sand?
Basicly I guess I could ask, whats the next on my shoping list and what order should I do everything? Guess if this like many forums, Ill just get told to ive up before I start.. lol.
Thanks,
Jamie
Ok, here goes. You don't need extreme lighting to start with, just the pc light that comes with the unit will suffice. 2lbs of Live Rock per gallon, you are correct in that one. Filter, wether in a sump under the tank or a closed loop, you want at least 12x the water turn over rate an hour. Get cured rock if you can, you can recure it in the tank with the cycle. Put your Live Sand in and then the Live Rock, the once you start up the system, get a raw shrimp from the store, just one will do, no more, and throw it in the tank, that will help along the cycle. While you wait for the cycle to end, bout 4 to 6 weeks, you can read up on what else you would like to do with your new tank. Specific Gravity get it to 1.024 (salt water). You'll need a skimmer an a couple of power heads. Heater.
 
mute

mute

New Member
Okay, been doing some searching, and still have questions. Guess Ill strt with 1 or 2 at a time.
If I can avoid it I want to stay away from a second tank. Sounds like its possible, but havent seen any specifics. Is it even a good Idea to use just one tank?
With no holes in the tank, and my being a wuss I dont want to cut any, how would I go about doing this?
Gonna have corals, other invertabrates, none of th SPS though, so I think I can get away with ho or vho lighting, probably vho.
Can anybody point me in the direction I should be going to start the set up for it as far as harware?
 
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