got a new setup

[sir_dudeguy]

hey, i finallly found a decent setup (at least i hope so) for 200 bucks
its a 55 gallon tank, with stand and fluval 304. and a couple of weaker powerheads

i'm just gonna have fish only for a while, till i get money for liverock and an overflow.

I was told that the fluval will be good enough for just fish only. Is this right? If so, what media should i put in it. i've got some left over biomax from my other tank. should that go in?

Next, for when i mix the salt, for the first time could i do it in the tank with nothing in it? and then just use the powerheads to mix it (after i mix it a little of course) Or should i put the gravel in first and then do it? I got a hydrometer/thermometer that a few people on here recomended... it was a hagen 12" i think

Last, i got some lace rock too. If i eventually get liverock, would that seed it and turn it live too? Or does all rock eventually turn live after a while?

thanks
mike

 

[White Tiger]

Your fluval will be ok with liverock.

Put the gravel in first.
You still need to mix the salt with water in a seperate container.

Live rock might or might not turn live, it depends on where the live rock was kept.--------Putting new live rock in with the old will help the old live rock to turn "live."

 

[leebca]

Last, i got some lace rock too. If i eventually get liverock, would that seed it and turn it live too? Or does all rock eventually turn live after a while?

There are many different levels of 'live rock.'

1) Base rock. It contains mostly the bacteria needed to cycle a tank, and coralline-type algae. You may pick up an odd 'other organism' on the base rock.

2) Cured Live Rock. It contains the organisms found on base rock plus many living creatures (both inside and on the surface), but not those that could make it through the curing process. The object here during the cure, is not to harm the organisms both on and in the rock.

3) Fresh Live Rock. Rock that hasn't been treated, but right from the sea. A natural rock with thousands of living things on and in it, often including such things as sponges that do not usually survive the curing process.

If you put cured live rock in with base rock or 'dead rock,' the base/dead rock doesn't turn 'live.' This is because the organisms in live rock do not reproduce in our aquariums. They will not reproduce nor will they move from inside the LR to the base rock or sterile rock. Many of these 'inside' organisms are things like specialized worms.

If you want to know more about these kinds of organisms, post question in The Invertebrate Forum. They love to talk about the invertebrate life on and in rocks!

At best, your 'dead' or 'sterile' rock will turn into base rock.

There are 'in-between' rocks available, such as those that are farm raised. Some believe they aren't the same as true fresh live rock, others say it is just as good.

:rollface:

 

[sir_dudeguy]

ok thaks...so cured live rock wont seed it, but will fresh/uncured liverock?
thanks

 

[sir_dudeguy]

oh, just thought of something else....
When i got the tank, it came with like, 50 little packs of carbon. I think its the tetra brand.
What exactly does this do, and should i put it in my filter?

 

[leebca]

I understand that you need to have a lot of information in a short time, but it is almost impossible to cover everything in posts. There are some very good beginner books at your local fish store or pet store that will help answer your equipment questions. Not knowing all that you have, it is almost impossible to help you.

No. The cured live rock won't seed it. The living organisms inside the rock do not move from rock to rock. Same goes for fresh live rock and 'dead rock.' Only Mother Nature makes true live rock and that has to happen in the sea/ocean.

 

[White Tiger]

You should put carbon in a filter canister. The carbon helps eliminate odor, unwanted chemicals, and helps somewhat with the ammonia level in the tank.

However, you should only use Fluval carbon media since you filter is a Fluval.-----Tetra might work.

Put the carbon media in the bottom two media holders. Then put biomax in one of the 2nd media holders. Put carbon in the other. For the last two media holders on the top, put all biomax.