HOW TO SET UP A TANK, condensed verions (retitled)

[Fishypapa]

Can I use flouresent for my 10 gallon clown?

Don't see why not. The T5 and others (I think) are mostly for the coral and such.

 

[Sand.man]

I know that you suggest lining the bottom with Eggcrate, but I've read that it can be a problem for burrowing fish, and can create dead spots.

Do I line the bottom with eggcrate, add the rocks, and then completely cover it with sand? what about gobbies/shrimp other burrowing animals, don't they run into the walls or get disturbed by it?

Can you elaborate more on this subject? I'm trying to decide whether or not to use egg crate. I understand the pro's are to evenly distribute weight and allow gripping which will prevent rock slides from burrowing fish/inverts. But what are the CONS of having an eggcrate?

Thanks in advance for all your efforts.

 

[Machpoint89]

I know it's an older thread and maybe sk8r is not even reading this stuff anymore, but wanted to thank him nonetheless.

As far as quoted below I was wondering the same thing.

I know that you suggest lining the bottom with Eggcrate, but I've read that it can be a problem for burrowing fish, and can create dead spots.

Do I line the bottom with eggcrate, add the rocks, and then completely cover it with sand? what about gobbies/shrimp other burrowing animals, don't they run into the walls or get disturbed by it?

Can you elaborate more on this subject?.

 

[jeppley84]

setting up a 55gal

setting up a 55gal

im getting ready to set up a 55 gallon reef tank. Can i use a sump with skimmer in sump and not have anything else like a filter?

 

[G2theRam]

thanks for the post

 

[Fishypapa]

im getting ready to set up a 55 gallon reef tank. Can i use a sump with skimmer in sump and not have anything else like a filter?

That's what the majority of us use. Mechanical filters are more for freshwater than saltwater.

 

[nbreneman]

Setting up new tank...few questions

Setting up new tank...few questions

I am fairly new to the hobby still. i purchased an established 24g reef tank from a friend 2 years ago and have enjoyed the ups and downs. I am now in the process of setting up a 75g and want to transfer all into that and start building a little bigger reef.

I have questions about setting up the tank as i did not set up the one i currently have from the beginning.

1) I have talked to numerous people who have told me it would be fine to get the extra sand and rock i need for the 75g and then transfer everything (old and new) into the 75g and should be good to run right away without issue. Does anyone have any thoughts on that? I dont want to do something that will not work but it seems to be a consensus from those i talked to so far at local LFS.

2) I am looking at getting 80lb of rock from reefrock.net and they have the option of getting free sand with a rock purchase. I am considering that but wanted to know if anyone else has sand/rock from them and what they think.

3) If i dont get sand from reefrock i was considering Pink Fiji sand. I have heard good things but also some have said it can cause "sand storms". Thoughts?

4) Thinking of setting up 2-3" sand bed and get some sifting animals (sifting star, or gobies). Thoughts?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

 

[Aleiva16]

Thanks for the heads up

 

[2to]

Is not having a lid necessary in a cooler environment? My 10 gallon will be setup in a place that will just about never get above 72 save for the Summer months. Do lids mess with the water in any other way than inhibiting evaporation?

 

[Fishypapa]

Is not having a lid necessary in a cooler environment? My 10 gallon will be setup in a place that will just about never get above 72 save for the Summer months. Do lids mess with the water in any other way than inhibiting evaporation?

They also inhibit to a certain extent gas exchange. The CO2 that precipitates out of the water at the surface needs somewhere to go and the O2 needs enough open area to be absorbed.

 

[igot2gats]

I just redid my tank, took all livestock out, all sand, and all rock. Replaced it with dry Pukani from BRS. Was planning on letting it run for four weeks, then do a 100% water change to remove any PO4 that might leach from rock. See if I get another cycle. Add an ammonia source and see what happens let it run for another 2-4 weeks. My question is I see it is recommended to run the lights? Wouldn't it be better to keep lights off to keep algae down? Or is it better to just let the algae grow to remove nutrients and just add a clean up crew at end of cycle?

Yes, keep the lights off. There's no need to run them during the cycle.

 

[igot2gats]

Looking for a little advice on setting up my 60gal tank. My question is rock, dry vs.live and also "seeding". With the big price diff could I do mostly dry rock with a small amount of live rock? If so how much live rock? Also aquariumarts.com had what they called prime cured live rock, already cycled and ready for tank. But at $10LB is it worth it? Could I get away with buying 10-15lbs and seeding it on the dry rock? Thanks

No, it's not worth it. Get all dry rock. It will all become live eventually after the cycle.

Live rock is a waste of money, if you ask me. It only speeds up the process. This hobby is not a race, it's a marathon. So, why rush things?

Also, you never know if there are any pests in your live rock when you buy it. With dry rock, you're guaranteed no pests.

 

[Blue Ring]

Thank you so much for this post. I have been out of saltwater for a few years having kept a FOWLR tank. I am now in the process of buying all new equipment and parts for my tank and I am still a month or so from having water in it. I am wanting to start a small reef in my tank and posts like these will really help me when that time comes. I will be checking back with your post as I keep getting my stuff together so that when the time comes I'll have what I need for my tank.
Thanks for the info.

 

[chowder12]

material under tank

material under tank

I have read (can't remember where) that if you have a rimless tank and wood stand that you should put something under the tank to ensure the tank sits flat. Does anyone know what material your supposed to use. I think you can get it at home depot. Thanks for any help.

 

[fishinwater]

Awesome thread. All that info wow!!! Right now this is my favorite read as I'm in the process of setting up a FOWLR. Thx for all the info.

 

[Shaker nemo]

Im setting up my tank and currently I'm about to build a 2 g sump for a soon to be 10 g reef tank. I need some help on it. Please answer this question it will be VERY helpful http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2316608 THX

 

[Irongills]

This thread has helped me take the last steps to setting up my first tank. Wanted to make an inquiry though. I've for sugar fine sand, as that was all was accessible at the time, 18lbs dry rock, and 5lbs of live rock. How long does the fine sand take to settle and how long do you think it will take my tank to cycle and 'seed' the dry rock? Picture of tank included below.

 

[Irongills]

This is day #2 btw.

 

[sweetgorgor]

super informative, I am in the process of building my first tank in my own and this really helped! Thanks!

 

[fishinwater]

Irongills, I had setup a new tank two days ago and it cleared out overnight. Now you say the sand is sugar fine, so maybe it will take little longer. Good luck man.