Hello Reefers !!!

[reef_guy81]

Hey all. Thought I'd introduce myself here. My name is Viru, and I am from Webster, New York. I have been researching and planning what I am going to set up for the past 6 months, and I know I still got a long way to go !!! :reading: There is an amazing amount of info on here and I thank all that have posted throughout this site, for it is been so very helpful.

I have had a 10 Gal freshwater tank for about a year, but I do not have a reef tank at the moment. However I plan on setting one up soon. Sometime late last year, I did buy a 40 Breeder to start a saltwater, built a DIY stand for it and purchased some hardware as well, but due to some personal issues, I could not further pursue the build. The tank did become a display, but has a flower vase and a Cirque du Soleil mask.... :hmm2:

Now that I have completed my obligations and have some free time, I am planning on continuing the build and would definitely appreciate all the help I can get. I plan on starting off as a FOWLR tank, with my final aim for a SPS dominated reef tank.

Current Equipment:
40 breeder
DIY stand
Magnum 350 Canister Filter
CPR BAKPAK2 skimmer
2 Maxi-Jet 400 Power heads
Test Kit
Refractometer

Need to Get
Lights - T5 or Led ( Already bought a new IceCap 660 Ballast with initial plans of a DIY T5HO fixture, but now leaning towards DIY LED)
Sump
Overflow Box
RO/DI
Sand, Live rock or Base rock ??
Am I missing anything else ??

For your viewing pleasure, my 40 breeder as it is now.

 

[pascal32]

Welcome!

Your shopping list looks good, make sure you get a decent RODI before you start things up or you might regret it down the road!

Since you are starting up - now would be the time to drill the tank - it's safer and nicer than the HOB overflow box. you should be able to keep using the HOB skimmer, even with a sump.

Starting as fish only is great, on the other hand if you are going to turn this into a reef tank try to treat it like one from the beginning

couple additional items:
* two heaters (two is better than one)
* return pump for the sump
* couple glass panels for dividing the sump (usually $10/piece)
* pick up two magnetic power heads like the Koralia 750's. the maxijets will eventually fall off and make a mess - nothing critical, but very nice
* consider a 30G rubbermaid brute bin from Lowes with a heater and mixing pump you can use to mix salt water - the mixing in buckets gets old quickly.
* a small pump like the QuiteOne1200 and some 1/2" hose to help with water changes.

test kit - try to get salifert or elos for KH, CA, and Mg

for the live rock my personal opinion is to go with nice rock and less of it. You can start with dry rock from BRS which is cheaper - the dry rock could have phosphate issues (just like any rock you buy), so you will likely want to treat it (topic for another thread).

for a refractometer I like the Sybon unit - easier to read and works great than the generic unit everyone sells

getting a clean setup which is maintainable on day 1 will make it easier to take care of the tank - a well taken care of tank will look better and be more enjoyable

 

[redreef85]

Welcome! If you do need glass panels for your sump I generally pick mine up in Ontario at the glass gallery. I place my order then they cal when I can pick it up.

 

[TomBONAIRE]

Welcome, I'm new to reefing too. Haven't bought a thing yet, so I'll be watching your progress.....This is a great site!!

 

[briangsxr1000]

I have a bunch of dry rock form Brs if you are looking to go that route.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

welcome to the URS Forum :bounce2:

 

[gary greguire]

Hello

Sound like a great start. Get all the advice you can. Like whats said above the easier it is to take care of the more you will ejoy it. happy reefing...

 

[reef_guy81]

Thanks guys for the warm welcome. I am pretty sure I'd be bugging all of you for advice..

I am not planning on drilling my tank, as I am sure I am going to crack it and secondly, because I am not sure if I might use a sump right away. I plan on having a HOB overflow (Suggestions?) if I use a sump, but since I am starting off as a FOWLR, I am yet to decide..

My next shopping list contains two heaters as suggested, a decent RO/DI, Lights and some live/base rock. I will keep this thread active with my build.

Quick Question - Since I am starting my tank as a FOWLR, do I need RO/DI water? Or can I use treated tap water to start my tank, and later when I decide to go reef, do a major water change with RO/DI water?

Also to cycle a tank, what would be the best approach ? Ammonia or Shrimp? I am leaning towards the shrimp method, but read somewhere that it that process stinks up the room with foul odour.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[rjmayes34]

Welcome!!! Look forward to seeing your progress! Like states above,take your time and plan,plan. It looks like your off to a great start!
I'd use ro/di from the start so your not saturating your new rock with phosphates which will lead to hair algea. It could take months to get out all the phosphates with only using regular tap water for your first month.
Good luck, their are lots of people on here with tons of knowledge. (not me)
Reshearch research, you'll pay at some point with buy now research when I get home so i always research before I but a new fish or what not.