Gonna take the plunge!

[bossdog004]

Well I decided to strip down my 30 gallon fry tank and go salt.

I have an AC 110 running on it and some type of Antinic(sp) light. Can I use the same type of media in the filter?

I am gonna clean everything and mix RO water and some type of salt(haven't purchased yet, any recommended?) and purchase some live sand and a few pieces of live rock. Then let it cycle for a few weeks.

Does all this sound right? Any help would be much appreciated.

Anyone in Carrollwood? I would like to see some tanks and talk with some fellow hobbiest. LFS people seem to just want to push fish out the door and I want to learn before I sink tons of money into this.

Thanks!!:strooper:

 

[mflamb]

What do you plan on keeping in the tank...coral...fish...both???

 

[alizarin]

A few observations:
* mflamb's question is very important
* Ever use copper in that tank? It's toxic to marine inverts
* You need 1lb/gallon of live rock typically
* If it's fish only use any salt you want. If it's reef try to stick with the big brands like instant ocean/reef crystals

Anything else I can think of depends on what you wanna keep.

----------- Welcome aboard!!! =) -----------

 

[bossdog004]

Oops, forgot about the inhabitants. I'd like to start with a fish only tank(clown) and possibly add some anenomies(sp) and coral down the road.

Never had any copper in the tank.

Is it best to put in the sand and a small amount of rock to start up the tank? Can I add some of therock that I had in my fresh water tanks?

 

[plyle02]

Bossdog004,
I would make smart purchases, and have a good game plan, and not act on impulse(like me), and make costly mistakes. I am convince it all starts with the water, so make sure to invest in a good RO/DI filter, ex. purelyh2o or the filterguys. I use Reef Crystals, but IO will be fine for fish only. I would not recommend using rocks from a previous freshwater set-up unless you treat it. Heck, just put some posts out there, and you can probably score some quality live rock for cheap or even free, same with the sand. I would do sand 1st, then rock... just my thoughts, good luck.

 

[plyle02]

BTW,
sorry forgot to mention, buy a quality skimmer, don't be cheap with your skimmer, again post , get one used.....

 

[mflamb]

An anemone is not really for beginners. Clowns are relatively easy. If you are able to keep a stable salt water environment for a year, then buy an anemone. You can keep various soft corals, leathers, mushrooms, ricordias, xenia, zoanthids. You need a good skimmer and lights. Study, study, study...

 

[Joshjohnson]

Bossdog,
i am in carrolwood send me a pm, if interested in looking at my tank

 

[Acolin]

read a John Tullock book, come to a meeting, go very slow...

 

[Acolin]

and follow advice of Agu and other people who have tini-reef

 

[bossdog004]

When and where is the next meeting?