I think it's time

revclyburn

revclyburn

Active member
I've been thinking about getting back into salt, and I'm just going to go ahead and bite the bullet. I was thinking about getting into Discus, even have a guy holding stuff for m to set my 55g up as a Diccus tank. But,, know how picky they are and the way my wife loves to cruise, I do too, I would have to leave them in the hands of someone that wouldn't take care of them like I would probably do. So, I was thinking today, just go on back to saltwater. I used to have a decent 90g. Had live rock, sand, Angels, a goby and a pistol shrimp combo. Some Zoas, a clove coral and the list goes on. I still have the 90, but with wood floors didn't want the salt to ruin the finish, wife would kill me, lol. That was about 10+ years ago. and still I've been thinking about starting over. WELL, today is settled, I'm back in. Been looking at the things I might need, which isn't much. Still have lots of rock, although it all dried out now. Havw a old protien skimmer, do they still use them, a decent sump, some powerhead, I think I just get some new ones and 2 hang on the back filters. I also have new LED lights.

So here I go, I'll, head first again. I'm going to need some help getting things back to wjhere they were. Starting where everybody is getting things from, starting with Live Rock and live sand. I want some fresh stuff, not the package stuff though there's nothing wrong with it. What salt are you using also. I can't remember what I used to you. I think it was Trop Marin, it came in a box. I think I'll just go down and get some from the ocean and start with that. Yeah I know, some say don't do it, but it worked well before, going to try it again. So, let me stop talking. I welcome any and all advice. I'm still planning on getting that pair of angels in my profile, anybody have or seem them around?
 
Welcome back. Sounds like you have a good start with the tank and equipment. A lot has changed and a lot has stayed the same. Some people use skimmers and others don't, it's all personal preference and what works for you.

As far as live rock, we can no longer get Fiji, Tonga, Marshall Island, etc sadly. These days, a lot of dry rock is infused with nitrifying bacteria and sold as "live rock." To get real live rock, the options are limited but here's some nice places to get real live rock and sand:

Tampa Bay Saltwater - Gulf live rock and sand
KP Aquatics - Caribbean live rock
Gulf Live Rock - Gulf live rock and sand

There are also limited amounts of Australian live rock coming into the US but it's a bit pricy at $25 - 30/lb.

I've used tons of different salts over the years and a couple years ago went to Instant Ocean. It's one of the least expensive these days and suits my needs for a primarily SPS tank. @PaulB uses natural sea water from Long Island with no issues.
 
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@Dr. Reef are Peppermint Angels still available?

@revclyburn Live Aquaria (formerly Drs Foster & Smith) are not what they used to be. I personally will not buy livestock from them anymore. I had a less than stellar experience buying corals from their Diver's Den section of WYSIWYG page.
 
lol, forgot to mention, if you're on a budget and need new powerheads, Jebao on Amazon are relatively inexpensive and work well. I've been using them for years.
 
@griss hit a lot of it.

The peppermint angels will cost a pretty penny nowadays if they can be found. @Dr. Reef may be a good starting place (as he does custom orders I believe?)

Anyways, you can get aquacultured Walt smith Fiji from liverocknreef. Not sure the quality.

Nothing wrong with natural saltwater. I’m one of the opinion to to try to ensure it’s more on the clean side (basically your not collecting off a bridge or sewer drain area or high boat traffic area, etc).

Skimmers are still common. Some use them regularly, others occasionally, and some, like me, not at all generally but I have one if i need it.

If you want corals, make sure your lights are strong enough, but also, be aware we no longer strive for 0 nutrient tanks (we do like some nitrates and phosphates)


IMG_0094.jpeg
 
Thanks everyboody for your respondes. Thanks for info on the live rock and when I was knee deep into my mini reef, Dr. Foster and Smith were one of the top providers in the saltwater aquaria. I guess times changes a lot of things. When I stop, ther wer alot of things you couldn't get, like those Peppermint Angels. I remember hearing of them being sold for a wjole lot ok dollars for a pair. I wrote about in one of my old post on here. They are just gorgeous fish,. Don't think they're selling them now days with all the bans on thing. I know the aquarium in hawaii had the 1st pai in captivity. That when I fell in love with them If my memmory serves me well, there was a pair also in Japan or cChina. Price tag them 50 big ones a piece. That's a lot for a fish. If they were to die, off to the taxidermist they go, lol. I'll just have to settle for the poo man's Peppermint angel, the Multi-barred Angel, tha's about as close I can get to the Peppermint. And if I could find one somewhere out there.
 
that was the stuff I set my 90g tank up, it was thwe best sand, light and very beneficial calcium if I remember right.
 
Not sure about that stuff, we used too test it, can't remember how and with what, but give an old geezer a minute I'll rememebr. I think it was with vinegar. It would fizz/foam like alka selzter.
 
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