If You Are New to Reef Central, Introduce Yourself Here!

[IridescentLily]

Hi everyone, i am new to saltwater i've been keeping freshwater for more than 3 years now so i decided to take a step further and start a saltwater tank. I've been researching a lot about saltwater and i still think i need a lot of help to start one.

I went to a pet shop and purchased a 29 gallon tank similar to the nano cube with built in filter but i think this tank is for freshwater. i also got some artificial corals. so now i need some help to start the cycle of this tank.

I have some questions

1. Since the tank is 29 gallons and fish only can i go without a protein skimmer?
2. If i choose to go without a protein skimmer can i do 25% water change every month?
3. How do i start the cycle? can i purchase the salt put ro water and live sand at the same time. Should i also put in 30 pounds of live rock at the same time?
4. Would normal Quick Dips work to test the water parameters?
5. I have a maxi jet 1200. Is it way to much for the 30 gallon tank?
6. Last but not least how long should i cycle the tank for and what kind of equipment should i put in the tank and what kind of fish should i introduce first?
7. Do i need a water conditioner for the ro water?

Thanks

Hi, i messaged you with some answers

Hello everyone, my name is Anne, I'm 15, live in Utah, and have a 65 gallon reef. I started out in the hobby over a year ago and am on my 3rd tank right now. My first tank was a 28 gallon nano cube with a pair of oscellaris clownfish and some random soft corals, all of which have been moved to my RedSea Max 250 (65 gallons). After taking down my nano cube and getting rid of it I raised a dwarf octopus in a 20 long for about 4 months until she died after laying eggs two months ago.

I'm glad to be a member here and am looking forward to contributing to the hobby and receiving help from all of you here!

Wow, Did you take any photos of your dwarf octopus? It sounds awesome, i'm sorry it died.

Hello Everyone,

I am new here also. I live in Utah and have had a fresh water tank for about 5 years when I took the leap and switched over to SW I have had my system up and running for about 10 months now and I have had very few problems.

My tank is a Mixed reef 75gallon display with 6 54w T5's. I have a 30 gallon sump with about half as a fuge. I just got a Neptune Apex (and is cooler than my first bike) last week and the new users guide that you have is great!!
I am thinking of upgrading my 75 to a 220 with in the next year so lots of research to be done.

You've just sailed right through the new tank process, now you're thinking about getting a 220. You've probably got alot of good experience to share with new reefkeepers. Welcome to you

Hello all,
Im new to saltwater tanks and reef central.I just got a biocube 29 with two maroon clownfish and two stars 1 sand sifter and 1 red srpent star.Everything is going great with the tank.I joined toget more info from the pro's....

Hi Scotty, i've got a 29g too. I love mine
So are you all cycled and off and running. Your clownfish sound cool.

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big> you four.

 

[pyly220]

Hi everyone

Hi everyone

I am new to this saltwater hobby, and so far I love it. I have so many questions. And there is something new to learn everyday lol. The part that I like best is the things that will pop out, out of nowhere like starfish, sponges ect. Ilove it!!! :thumbsup:

 

[atomichead]

Hi everyone, I'm coming back into the hobby after a 10 year hiatus. Back then there were few people keeping corals and the ones I knew that were were counting the lifespan of these beautiful creatures in months. It's the success with corals that the dedicated hobbyist can enjoy that has brought me back.

And this place rocks! I've never seen such an active forum with so many helpful folk. So thanks for all the help so far and for all the help you'll undoubtedly impart in the future!

 

[talitalb70]

If you are new to reef central, introduce yourself here.

If you are new to reef central, introduce yourself here.

I am a newbie to the hobby. It has always been an interest of mine to have a reef tank. After years of freshwater fish and hoping to one day venture to the other side, I have made the plunge.
Reef central has become my addiction as well. Thank you so much for all the information you are providing us with REEF CENTRAL!!!
I have found there is ALOT to learn.

 

[Steve718]

Hello,
We are new in here as well, been lurking since April. We have just started our 55gal tank and are about to add fish very soon. Our goal is to have a reef tank and any advice is appreciated. Right now we are deciding on our first fish purchase as our tank is finally cycled, CUC in place, and sump ready to go. Additionally, remember we are beginners to this and would prefer CONSTRUCTIVE comments and criticism only please!!

Steve & Jamie

 

[IridescentLily]

[welcome] Steve and Jamie
My first fish only sw was a 55 gallon.
A Goby, a pygmy angel, clownfish, a basslet...any of these fish can be in a 55g.
Make sure you put the smalles fish in first and wait before you put any other fish in.
How deep is your sand bed? Some small fish burrow in the sand.

 

[Steve718]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big> Steve and Jamie
My first fish only sw was a 55 gallon.
A Goby, a pygmy angel, clownfish, a basslet...any of these fish can be in a 55g.
Make sure you put the smalles fish in first and wait before you put any other fish in.
How deep is your sand bed? Some small fish burrow in the sand.

We have a 2-2.5" sand bed. Thanks for the reply!

 

[IridescentLily]

That sounds like enough for a goby or wrasse to burrow in if you choose to get something like that. Are you getting softer aragonite sand or crushed coral?

 

[reret10]

new here

new here

Hi I guess I am the newbie around here. Well I got directed here by a marine biologest and well I am only 11 but this summer I am going to setup a ten gallon nano reef! If anyone has any advise I am welcome to it.

 

[jamcatlin]

Thanks, Lily. I've been helped out a lot already. Super nice peeps here!

 

[Mountaineers22]

Hello everyone. I am new to owning my own saltwater tank. Throughout college I took care of the 210 gallon tank in the Biology department.

I have decided to start with a 75 gallon. I have done quite a bit of research and have visited all the saltwater specialty stores in my area.

I am still trying to work within my budget- I don't need the best, but I dont want junk. I want a nice setup. I kind of want a FOWLR tank to start, but I have an opportunity to get a lot of VERY nice coral from my brother who is converting his awesome reef tank into a FOWLR.

Anyways, I have about a month to work it all out, so I thought I would come on here and learn some more... I plan to be around a lot!

Thank you in advance for all of your help!

 

[jacquiehill1114]

Hi all, my name is Mitch I'm a 22 year old full time college student (majoring in business management) living in Edmond, Oklahoma. I'm extremely new to the hobby, I haven't purchased a tank or anything yet, just trying to learn as much as I can right now. I'm extremely excited to start up my own reef aquarium, I have always been fascinated by them, but now that I'm moving off campus into my own place as soon as this semester is over, my interest has exploded like never before. I was at a LFS yesterday and was given a card with this site printed on it, and the shop keeper highly reccomended it. So I've been on here reading as much as I can ever since. I think this is the most informative site I have seen so far

Anyways, I was hoping to get started as soon as I feel like I have an adaquate knowledge of reef tanks, so any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! I'm bascially starting at ground zero right now

Thanks

Hello,
I am in elk city ,ok LOL Nice to meet you my name is Jacquie

 

[IridescentLily]

Hello everyone. I am new to owning my own saltwater tank. Throughout college I took care of the 210 gallon tank in the Biology department.

I have decided to start with a 75 gallon. I have done quite a bit of research and have visited all the saltwater specialty stores in my area.

I am still trying to work within my budget- I don't need the best, but I dont want junk. I want a nice setup. I kind of want a FOWLR tank to start, but I have an opportunity to get a lot of VERY nice coral from my brother who is converting his awesome reef tank into a FOWLR.

Anyways, I have about a month to work it all out, so I thought I would come on here and learn some more... I plan to be around a lot!

Thank you in advance for all of your help!

Welcome to Reef Central, it's great that you helped take care of a 210g already in your biology dept. So you already have some knowledge. Looking forward to you getting your 75.

 

[IridescentLily]

Hello,
I am in elk city ,ok LOL Nice to meet you my name is Jacquie

Hi Jacquie, welcome to Reef Central

 

[purpletanglvr]

Hey not new here but I have been gone from the hobby 6 years. I'm baaaaccck

 

[sh8g8delik]

Hello all,

My name is Anh and I am an addict to all hobbies. Although I joined in 2003 and have only posted twice since then, I find myself back into this awesome yet wallet depleting hobby. I have been away from it for a veryyy long time but looking forward to starting again with new found vigor. Although I currently do not have a tank, I am doing my due diligence to plan everything out accordingly so I can succeed and flourish. With the help from this community I should be able to get myself settled in fairly quickly, as long as I have enough saved up in my piggy bank.

Thank you all in advance for letting me pick your brains!

 

[IridescentLily]

Hey not new here but I have been gone from the hobby 6 years. I'm baaaaccck

lol, welcome back.

Hello all,

My name is Anh and I am an addict to all hobbies. Although I joined in 2003 and have only posted twice since then, I find myself back into this awesome yet wallet depleting hobby. I have been away from it for a veryyy long time but looking forward to starting again with new found vigor. Although I currently do not have a tank, I am doing my due diligence to plan everything out accordingly so I can succeed and flourish. With the help from this community I should be able to get myself settled in fairly quickly, as long as I have enough saved up in my piggy bank.

Thank you all in advance for letting me pick your brains!

Welcome Anh!

 

[iErickS]

scared newbie!!

scared newbie!!

I been reading for a few weeks and Im excited and scared at the same time.

I'm having a 115g tank set up.

I'm going the chicken sh!t route and having my whole set up done by a LFS; design, set up and initial maintanence. They are coming to set up the tank, water, live rock and sand on the 27th. They'll come back a few weeks later to check on the tank. They told me that I won't have any fish in there till July.

My wife and I decided to go this way as accelerated way to learn how to do things right. They will teach us along the way. I've never done any type of fish tank before.

I want just fish but my wife wants corral too so we are doing a reef tank.

 

[IridescentLily]

Excellent iEricks! Welcome to Reef Central.
I've not seen a vendor or lfs set up a whole build, i look forward to this.
Can't wait for your wife's entry (addiction) into the world of corals.
I gotta say, your lfs desrves kudos for knowing the right way to set up a tank and not putting fish in there till July.

 

[iErickS]

Thanks!!

The lfs is actually quite far from me. They have a good reputation for taking things slow and they were very helpful and explained the process for doing things right. I live in the sacramento area and they actually set up and take care of some Sacramento Kings players' tanks.

Here a video of Sacramento Kings Hassan Whiteside - day in the life visiting the lfs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9qKTHIm9G8