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

[nmohara]

Hey Everyone,

My name is Nicole and I have started thinking about setting up my first SW tank. Currently I work at our LFS in the Reptile and Fish dept and have been working with FW tanks for about 8-9 years. I have sitting, waiting, begging to be set up a 90gal tank (48in x 18in x 24in), Fluval 405, Fluval E300 Heater, and a 2x54W T5 Linkable Light Fixture. All this stuff was purchased thinking I was going to set up another FW tank but then I started thinking SW. Even if this stuff is not suitable my husband can use it for his Oscar tank he wants. Any info would be great and welcomed

Thanks

Nicole

 

[Aquarist007]

Hey Everyone,

My name is Nicole and I have started thinking about setting up my first SW tank. Currently I work at our LFS in the Reptile and Fish dept and have been working with FW tanks for about 8-9 years. I have sitting, waiting, begging to be set up a 90gal tank (48in x 18in x 24in), Fluval 405, Fluval E300 Heater, and a 2x54W T5 Linkable Light Fixture. All this stuff was purchased thinking I was going to set up another FW tank but then I started thinking SW. Even if this stuff is not suitable my husband can use it for his Oscar tank he wants. Any info would be great and welcomed

Thanks

Nicole

The fluval cannister is usable if you take out the filter media and just run a carbon pouch and possible a phosphate pouch in it. Unlike fw you should change out the carbon pouch every 3 weeks.

The heater is great

For lighting you need 3-5 watts per gallon so you need more lighting if you are going to go mixed reef. If you keep it Fowlr for the first six months then you can use the lighting you have.

You should also purchase a protein skimmer--the remora pro is an excellent hang on

Most importantly you need 90 lbs of live rock for the tank. I would go 60/30 live rock to base rock to cut down the initial cost

Unlike fw tanks, live rock house the different strains of bacteria that process ammonia through to nitrogen gas which bubbles out of the system. In a fresh water system ammonia is only processed to nitrates and we have to do a 30 per cent or better water change to remove them.
This is also why if you use the cannister filter you need to take the other media out of it and just run carbon. In the fresh water system the bacteria are allowed to build up in it to process the ammonia and nitrates

[welcome]

 

[nmohara]

Hey Capn,

Thanks for the info. By any chance do you know if Big Al's carries the skimmer? My hubby and I hit the Hamilton Big Al's any time we are down there which seems to be more and more. Also just an fyi for everyone, I am currently only researching this out and planning/buying all non living things now as we are planning on moving in the next 6-12 months. I know how hard it is to move a tank as large as I have with out anything in it, let alone live animals. Also the only reason I don't have anything in the tank now is that we had a house fire 2 years ago now and I lost the entire tank after it running for 3 years.

Thanks Again

 

[Aquarist007]

Hey Capn,

Thanks for the info. By any chance do you know if Big Al's carries the skimmer? My hubby and I hit the Hamilton Big Al's any time we are down there which seems to be more and more. Also just an fyi for everyone, I am currently only researching this out and planning/buying all non living things now as we are planning on moving in the next 6-12 months. I know how hard it is to move a tank as large as I have with out anything in it, let alone live animals. Also the only reason I don't have anything in the tank now is that we had a house fire 2 years ago now and I lost the entire tank after it running for 3 years.

Thanks Again

To my knowledge MOPS is the only place that carries them and at 30 per cent below retail
The have a warehouse on the east mountain(about 5 min from Big Al's but that you can visit and they are also a mail order supply company

www.mops.ca

you will be able to find the skimmer on the web page

 

[IridescentLily]

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.

I'm such a dork
Sorry about that, here are two Michigan club links.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=488

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=54

Can't wait to see the pics! Good luck on the move. :fish1:

 

[Think Ink]

I'm such a dork
Sorry about that, here are two Michigan club links.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=488

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=54

Can't wait to see the pics! Good luck on the move. :fish1:

Aren't we all dorks in some way, shape or form? I know I am.

Thanks for the links, I'll peruse them in a bit.

Thanks, It'll be a chore, but it's the last move.

 

[bwatts0906]

New to Saltwater

New to Saltwater

Hi all, I'm Bonnie and I'm just getting started in saltwater. Wow!!! So much to learn I've read so much in the last few months my head is spinning:eek1: And still feel like I haven't soaked up what I need to know. With that said I have bought a 65gal rr tank, T5 lights, already had 2 sets of compact flour., 80lbs of sand, eshopps PSK-150 skimmer (already wish that I would've waited and gotten the Reef Octopus, but.........) just because it was actually in the same price range and i've read some good things about it but hind site is 20/20 right?:lol: I have on order, from the filter guys my 6 stage RO/DI system and I've built a 29gal sump. I have my stand and canopy built already. Am currently planning on ordering live rock from one of your sponsers, Marco Rocks. I'm so excited i cant hardly stand it. But am trying to remain focused:bounce2: Any advice will be greatly appreciated as I what to do all that I can to set up right to begin with. Cant wait to get this baby up and running!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi all, I'm Bonnie and I'm just getting started in saltwater. Wow!!! So much to learn I've read so much in the last few months my head is spinning:eek1: And still feel like I haven't soaked up what I need to know. With that said I have bought a 65gal rr tank, T5 lights, already had 2 sets of compact flour., 80lbs of sand, eshopps PSK-150 skimmer (already wish that I would've waited and gotten the Reef Octopus, but.........) just because it was actually in the same price range and i've read some good things about it but hind site is 20/20 right?:lol: I have on order, from the filter guys my 6 stage RO/DI system and I've built a 29gal sump. I have my stand and canopy built already. Am currently planning on ordering live rock from one of your sponsers, Marco Rocks. I'm so excited i cant hardly stand it. But am trying to remain focused:bounce2: Any advice will be greatly appreciated as I what to do all that I can to set up right to begin with. Cant wait to get this baby up and running!!!!!!!!!!!

[welcome]
It sounds like your off to a great start, keep reading and when you have questions be sure to ask.

 

[greatbeast]

What up all. Im new to the reef aquarium anyway. I started with a 55g aquarium as my 120g is at a friends cuz it wont fit in my apartment.
The 55 is set up with:
80lbs live sand
61 lbs live rock (35lbs cured, 26lbs uncured)
Aquatic Life 48" T5HO with (2) 48" T5 HO 54W 420/460 Lamps,
48" T5 HO 54W 700+ Lamps and 1W Lunar LED
Aqua C Remora hang on protein skimmer
Aquaclear 70 filter
Aquaclear 70 powerhead
Hydor Koralia 2

I had some problems makeing the sump, overflow and return pump syncing so i left the sump out for now.

 

[IridescentLily]

What up all. Im new to the reef aquarium anyway. I started with a 55g aquarium as my 120g is at a friends cuz it wont fit in my apartment.
The 55 is set up with:
80lbs live sand
61 lbs live rock (35lbs cured, 26lbs uncured)
Aquatic Life 48" T5HO with (2) 48" T5 HO 54W 420/460 Lamps,
48" T5 HO 54W 700+ Lamps and 1W Lunar LED
Aqua C Remora hang on protein skimmer
Aquaclear 70 filter
Aquaclear 70 powerhead
Hydor Koralia 2

I had some problems makeing the sump, overflow and return pump syncing so i left the sump out for now.

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big> Greatbeast
Was your return pushing more than your overflow can handle?
What fish and/or corals do you plan on keeping?

 

[Aquarist007]

What up all. Im new to the reef aquarium anyway. I started with a 55g aquarium as my 120g is at a friends cuz it wont fit in my apartment.
The 55 is set up with:
80lbs live sand
61 lbs live rock (35lbs cured, 26lbs uncured)
Aquatic Life 48" T5HO with (2) 48" T5 HO 54W 420/460 Lamps,
48" T5 HO 54W 700+ Lamps and 1W Lunar LED
Aqua C Remora hang on protein skimmer
Aquaclear 70 filter
Aquaclear 70 powerhead
Hydor Koralia 2

I had some problems makeing the sump, overflow and return pump syncing so i left the sump out for now.

You seem off to a great start

[welcome]

 

[denvernative]

VERY VERY far from new but here i am

 

[Aquarist007]

VERY VERY far from new but here i am

do you mean you or your experience

[welcome]

 

[amcor3066]

newbie here!

newbie here!

newbie here maybe you guys can help me figure out what corals I have. I just bought what was cool to me. Tank is a year old. Love this hobby!!!

 

[MO3N]

Completely new to Reef tanks but have been reading and wanting one for a long time. About to set up my first tank....looking forward to the much needed advice.

 

[Aquarist007]

newbie here maybe you guys can help me figure out what corals I have. I just bought what was cool to me. Tank is a year old. Love this hobby!!!

for one year you have really done well on stocking your tank.

[welcome]

 

[Aquarist007]

Completely new to Reef tanks but have been reading and wanting one for a long time. About to set up my first tank....looking forward to the much needed advice.

do you have any idea what size of tank you will be starting with?

[welcome]

 

[MO3N]

Ya I tried posting a thread about my setup but it has not gone up yet. I have a 29 gallon tank that i will set up. or there is a used 38 gallon tank that is very cheap at my LFS. so i may pick that up just to get a little more water volume. I will start it without a sump and I will add a sump later on.... Im in college and only have one year left so im not sure if ill add the sump or just upgrade to a larger tank after my graduation...I have been into highly planted freshwater tank so i have some left over stuff. I have a fixture that can hold 3 24" HO T-5's (if i get the 38 ill add another two bulbs 36") I have a few powerheads that i can put in there, heaters and i also have an extra canister filter that i may take all the media out and put in a few chunks of liverock. but im not sure if that is a good idea or not.

Thats the basic idea...for now.

 

[denvernative]

do you mean you or your experience

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

Have been in the hobby for about 10 years

 

[Mr. White]

Whats up? New to the hobby but haven't stopped reading and researching the past 3 weeks, NONSTOP. Damn, there is alot of variables in this hobby. I'm probably gonna go with a 150G or bigger FOWLR setup. i'm still debating on what kinda circulation/filtration setup would be best for this, ideas?? Possible fish I'd like to house are Lionfish, Pufferfish, Eel, FO Wrasse, etc.. I plan on building as much of the equipment as i can except for the tank, mainly because i dont have the working room for it.