Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
[welcome]
Read as much as you can. Good to have you with us.
Good luck with your quest to have an LPS tank
Read as much as you can. Good to have you with us.
Good luck with your quest to have an LPS tank
If You Are New to Reef Central, Introduce Yourself Here!
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
Hello to all. I'm Derek and I'm trying to learn and absorb as much info as I can before getting my tank running. I used to run FW tanks but got rid of them about 10 yrs. ago. I recently came into a 6 ft. 135 gal. tank and am trying to decide on the best way to get a salt tank started. I'm hoping to run a reef tank once I learn how to maintain the proper water chemistry but in the meantime will likely be FOWLR.
I'm trying to decide on a few things so I can purchase the right equipment, etc. in the right order and do so without breaking the bank but I'm discovering that there seem to be a lot of people who swear you should do just about every different option out there and they all seem to know what they are talking about.
Here's what I'm wondering most:
a) What substrate?
b) I'm planning on getting a skimmer, but do I want anything else or will my LR be enough of a bio-filter?
c) How much LR?
And of course, drum roll please... d) What to do about lighting?
Sage advice is most welcome.
I'm trying to decide on a few things so I can purchase the right equipment, etc. in the right order and do so without breaking the bank but I'm discovering that there seem to be a lot of people who swear you should do just about every different option out there and they all seem to know what they are talking about.
Here's what I'm wondering most:
a) What substrate?
b) I'm planning on getting a skimmer, but do I want anything else or will my LR be enough of a bio-filter?
c) How much LR?
And of course, drum roll please... d) What to do about lighting?
Sage advice is most welcome.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
[welcome]
a) Substrate is basically your sand, some may even bundle your live rock into as well.
b) Most definitely, as long as you have enough live rock to sustain the bioload (the amount of waste that needs to be converted by the biological filtration, usually referred to as the amount of fish in the tank).
c)With that said, as much as I dislike rule of thumbs, a good starting point for LR is having 1-1.5 lbs per gallon of water in the display tank. The reason why it differs from tank to tank is because rock can come more or less dense.
d) The lighting is going to be determined by what you are going to have in the tank, if you plan on having corals, then it's wise to get Metal Halides, VHO's or T5's (or a combination of them)
If you haven't already, read through this
Mrs.kbmdale
New member
sister gave u a GREAT link derek!! good luck and welcome to rc and the hobby!
johnd651
Member
i am in a similar spot. I am switching from FW to SW, and must say best idea ever. I like the fish in both FW and SW but for me it was the coral. just a heads up, u will need an RODi unit for water for your SW tank, something i didnt realize until I started reading thorugh the forums.
before you buy anything, look for it second hand. craigslist, etc. I have mananged to obtain almost everything at half price second hand. some stuff reef'ers bought and never used, so it was brand new other things needed a vinegar bath and a quick scrub and look brand new.
you will hear many different opinions, from many different people. its one of those, take everything you hear with a grain of salt things. it depends on your situation, what you can afford, and how much work you want to put into it. The link above is worth the read.
robertismyname
New member
hello everyone! im robert.. it's been awhile since i been into aquariums, but when i was into them i was only into FW. But i've always wanted SW. I really love the colors it brings out. I guess the money is what scared me. Now that im older im a little more financially stable. Also i just bought a new home and have a 90Lx24W(probably make it stick out 30-36inches) space to fit a tank. But who knows. When it comes to SW i am totally clueless on what i need to buy or setup. I been lurking reefcentral for about a week now. There is alot of information about reefs i did not know.
Mrs.kbmdale
New member
welcome robert!! best advice i can give is to read everything u can, study it well- like ur back in school- and dont do anything til u feel comfortable. I researched and learned for an entire year b4 i ought my first piece of equipment and signed up here! read all the stickys, and ensuing links inside them, that are at the top of this forum. Good Luck! 
Chef Perrone
New member
Hello everyone
My name in Dominick, and I have not had a marine tank in over 10 years. I just started a 29 gallon bio cube reef tank (my first attempt at corals). I am also attempting to build a stand for a new 75 gallon tank. I have not decided if it will be a reef or fish only tank yet. Well I could use all the help I can get on the reef tank. Well just wanted to introduce myself. Here is a picture of the cube.
My name in Dominick, and I have not had a marine tank in over 10 years. I just started a 29 gallon bio cube reef tank (my first attempt at corals). I am also attempting to build a stand for a new 75 gallon tank. I have not decided if it will be a reef or fish only tank yet. Well I could use all the help I can get on the reef tank. Well just wanted to introduce myself. Here is a picture of the cube.
Attachments
Mrs.kbmdale
New member
welcome to reef central, Dominick. Browse around, make use of the stickys at the top of this forum, and now that the search function works again its a great asset.
Good Luck and Happy Reefing!
Good Luck
and Happy Reefing!
yerdaddy
New member
ok that would make sense, i have a 29 g stock biocube, stock lighting, stock pump, the lady we bought it from made some sort of modification in the back for more flow by clipping a small piece of plastic from the first divider
again, thanks for any advice
satdawg76
New member
Newbie from the SF Bay Area
Newbie from the SF Bay Area
Hello All, I'm new to the saltwater aquarium world. I've bought a used Oceanic Biocube 29 gallon aquarium to start off with. I hope to create a nice, attractive saltwater aquarium that I get enjoyment and satisfaction from.
Hopefully I can get some live rock and fish very soon. Currently I am doing research to learn how to create a saltwater setup, and also I need some time to clean up the aquarium i just bought! That's actually the first item I need to research, "How to clean dried algae?"
Thanks and talk to you folks soon!
Newbie from the SF Bay Area
Hello All, I'm new to the saltwater aquarium world. I've bought a used Oceanic Biocube 29 gallon aquarium to start off with. I hope to create a nice, attractive saltwater aquarium that I get enjoyment and satisfaction from.
Hopefully I can get some live rock and fish very soon. Currently I am doing research to learn how to create a saltwater setup, and also I need some time to clean up the aquarium i just bought! That's actually the first item I need to research, "How to clean dried algae?"
Thanks and talk to you folks soon!
Aquarist007
New member
Vinegar will take off dried algae.
With a cube I would suggest you purchase your corals and inverts first and then one fish at a time--maxium 6 fish in that size of cube
[welcome]
Aquarist007
New member
Reading back to your op you have alot of corals in that cube. Have you tested your magnesium, calcium and alkalinity levels?
preferred levels:
magnesium 1300ppm
calcium 400-420 ppm
alkalinity 8-11 dkH
If the levels of calcium and alkalinity are low then that will affect the health and growth of your corals.
If they are low you might want to look into a 2 part supplement for eg b-ionics 2 part.
Joeskel
New member
Hi All, Name is Joe live in Auckland New Zealand (next to Australia not part of):lolspin: am not new to the hobby been in it for around 4 years an currantly running a 900 ltr mixed reef with all the fish, LPS and SPS Deltec skimmer AP851 and 180 ltr sump and 200ltr fudge MH lighting and so on...
Have read RC on and off for years as a guest but have decided to join as my addiction is not going away:hmm5:
Happy reefing guys and girls and if anyone is comming down this way in the future pop in for a Beer:wave:
Have read RC on and off for years as a guest but have decided to join as my addiction is not going away:hmm5:
Happy reefing guys and girls and if anyone is comming down this way in the future pop in for a Beer:wave:
Aquarist007
New member
Hi All, Name is Joe live in Auckland New Zealand (next to Australia not part of):lolspin: am not new to the hobby been in it for around 4 years an currantly running a 900 ltr mixed reef with all the fish, LPS and SPS Deltec skimmer AP851 and 180 ltr sump and 200ltr fudge MH lighting and so on...
Have read RC on and off for years as a guest but have decided to join as my addiction is not going away:hmm5:
Happy reefing guys and girls and if anyone is comming down this way in the future pop in for a Beer:wave:
I don't know how you have lasted this long being silent
[welcome]
Jarret
Member
Hello all! As you can tell from my username my name is Jarret.
I live in Central California and work at a LFS where I pretty much do everything with tending to the FW/SW tanks as my main priority I've been working there for a little over 2 years now and been gaining a larger interest in SW over the past 6 months or so.
Not only because it interests me but also to better inform our customers that come in as well as keeping the SW tanks in the store in better condition (they were somewhat neglected with the previous owners who I also worked for). I usually spend a few hours on here each day reading threads that I didn't read the previous day and trying to soak up as much information as I possibly can.
There is A LOT to read and it is also neat to see how differently people operate their tanks and can have just as much success as the next person.
I currently have a ~70g FW tank but the itch to have a reef tank is starting to grow and grow as most of you know exactly what I'm talking about. One of these days I will have a reef tank setup but there is still so little that I know and I'd feel a lot safer spending a few more months reading these forums to gain more knowledge so I can have a better chance with my first SW tank.
Of course in the meantime I can always play around with the SW tanks at the store to scratch the itch
I live in Central California and work at a LFS where I pretty much do everything with tending to the FW/SW tanks as my main priority
I've been working there for a little over 2 years now and been gaining a larger interest in SW over the past 6 months or so.Not only because it interests me but also to better inform our customers that come in as well as keeping the SW tanks in the store in better condition (they were somewhat neglected with the previous owners who I also worked for). I usually spend a few hours on here each day reading threads that I didn't read the previous day and trying to soak up as much information as I possibly can.
There is A LOT to read and it is also neat to see how differently people operate their tanks and can have just as much success as the next person.
I currently have a ~70g FW tank but the itch to have a reef tank is starting to grow and grow as most of you know exactly what I'm talking about. One of these days I will have a reef tank setup but there is still so little that I know and I'd feel a lot safer spending a few more months reading these forums to gain more knowledge so I can have a better chance with my first SW tank.
Of course in the meantime I can always play around with the SW tanks at the store to scratch the itch
Think Ink
New member
New to RC , not to the hobby
New to RC , not to the hobby
Hello everyone, after many years of visiting Michigan Reefers, I've decided to switch to Reef Central. My name is Adam and I'm from SE Michigan. I look forward to gaining even more knowledge from the fellow members on this site and I also look forward to hopefully being able to offer up my own personal experience(s) as well.
That being said, who's from MI on here?
New to RC , not to the hobby
Hello everyone, after many years of visiting Michigan Reefers, I've decided to switch to Reef Central. My name is Adam and I'm from SE Michigan. I look forward to gaining even more knowledge from the fellow members on this site and I also look forward to hopefully being able to offer up my own personal experience(s) as well.
That being said, who's from MI on here?
[welcome]
Here's a link to the Minnesota reefers club section http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=199
Do you have a tank currently?
Think Ink
New member
Sorry for the potential confusion Lily, but I'm from Michigan not Minnesota. But thanks for the heads-up never the less!
And to answer you2 question, yes, 2 tanks. a 125g and a 24 bicube. Both will be coming down next weekend for transport to my new house. Once I'm settled in and the tanks are back up and running, I'll post pictures.
Thanks again and take care.
Aquarist007
New member
Hello all! As you can tell from my username my name is Jarret.
I live in Central California and work at a LFS where I pretty much do everything with tending to the FW/SW tanks as my main priority
Not only because it interests me but also to better inform our customers that come in as well as keeping the SW tanks in the store in better condition (they were somewhat neglected with the previous owners who I also worked for). I usually spend a few hours on here each day reading threads that I didn't read the previous day and trying to soak up as much information as I possibly can.
There is A LOT to read and it is also neat to see how differently people operate their tanks and can have just as much success as the next person.
I currently have a ~70g FW tank but the itch to have a reef tank is starting to grow and grow as most of you know exactly what I'm talking about. One of these days I will have a reef tank setup but there is still so little that I know and I'd feel a lot safer spending a few more months reading these forums to gain more knowledge so I can have a better chance with my first SW tank.
Of course in the meantime I can always play around with the SW tanks at the store to scratch the itch
I applaud you for joining this site---to be a more informed LFS employee is admirable
[welcome]
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