Is there anything else I need?

[goldfishbowl]

Hello everyone,

Like a few people on here I am new to marine fish keeping. Having had tropical tanks since I was around 16, at 37 I decided to take the plunge (no pun intended). I have ordered many bits of kit and read a book and spoken to a few marine centres - I agree with most on here, they do just want to sell you something, rather that what you actually need. However the following is a list of what I have bought, along with the exact tank I have. None of this is setup yet. I realise that there will be a few things needed yet, but I was wondering if anyone could see any gaps, anything I should be aware of, or perhaps hints on the equipment that I have bought.

First off, here's the Tank URL:
http://www.aquatic-store.co.uk/cata...id=35&osCsid=be05c824c0c7b176b9ed58a090eafe4f

If that doesn't come up. It's a standard fish tank of some 70 Gallons in size. 121 x 55 x 41 cm Volume: approx. 240 litres
Light System with electronic ballast and 2 x 38/40 W tube
JUWEL Filter System: Standard H

The equipment and items I have also purchased are as follows:
MERLIN BIOLOGICAL FILTER
MERLIN MEDIA
PHOSPHATE POWERCHEM CARTRIDGE
ZEOLITE POWERCHEM CARTRIDGE
EHEIM MARINE WET AND DRY THERMO FILTER
RED SEA PRIZM SKIMMER PRO
25W UV VECTON STERILISER
UNDERWORLD SEA TEST HYDROMETER
TROPIC MARIN SALT 8KG
MARINE LAB
REEF LAB
RED SEA REEF BASE 20KG

I think I need to look into lighting - any recommendations that will fit the above hood?

As soon as the water is OK, I will be adding plenty of well sourced live rock. I am also aware that I need pipes and certain fixings.

However, what I need to know is there anything that anyone can see missing, that should be there - any recommendations on use or setting with this gear.

I don't have access to RO filter so will be using Tap water. What do I use to remove chlorine and other chemicals and metals from the water?

What about partial water changes - how do I prepare the water for that, when I only have the one tank?

Finally - what sort of fish for a beginner would you recommend. I like the idea just a handful of fish with plenty of room, some shrimp to clean and perhaps snails and crabs to help with algea? Again, any help appreciated.

Look forward to any replies.

Stu

 

[Avi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6921393#post6921393 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by goldfishbowl


Like a few people on here I am new to marine fish keeping. Having had tropical tanks since I was around 16, at 37 I decided to take the plunge (no pun intended).

Stuââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦I suggest you read this:

http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m not trying to be hyper-critical, but you might not be quite on track yet and before you go further, maybe an adjustment here and there might well serve you well now, before you go further. So, for example, assuming that your interested in having a reef in that new tank of yours, it may be best for you to reconsider the use of biological filter mediums in your configuration. Another thing Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢d recommend, is that because a Prism Skimmer is not highly spoken of here in Reef Central for the most part, you might want to reconsider and upgrade that choice. A protein skimmer is so important that itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s one thing you should really do the best you can with.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6921393#post6921393 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by goldfishbowl
the following is a list of what I have bought, along with the exact tank I have. None of this is setup yet. I realise that there will be a few things needed yet, but I was wondering if anyone could see any gaps, anything I should be aware of, or perhaps hints on the equipment that I have bought.

It's a standard fish tank of some 70 Gallons in size. 121 x 55 x 41 cm Volume: approx. 240 litres
Light System with electronic ballast and 2 x 38/40 W tube

The number of watts and the kind of lighting depends a lot on the kind of tank youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢d be keeping, and the height of the tank. So, for instance, a fish only tank with or without live rock wouldnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t require lighting of the same intensity as a full reef would. Also, a reef with soft coral only along with fish wouldnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t need lighting of the same strength as one in which SPS coral is kept. So, it would be good if you were to say what kind of tank youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re intent on.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6921393#post6921393 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by goldfishbowl
As soon as the water is OK, I will be adding plenty of well sourced live rock. I am also aware that I need pipes and certain fixings.

However, what I need to know is there anything that anyone can see missing, that should be there - any recommendations on use or setting with this gear.

Well, you ought to get test kits for the following if itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s a reef youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re aiming at:

Alkalinity
pH
Ammonia (for when youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re cycling the tank)
Nitrates
Calcium and Magnesium (which is most critical if you are keeping LPS and or SPS coral.)

Another thing Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢d urge you to consider is setting up a sump or better yet a sump/refugium to begin with. That may sound daunting if you donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t have experience with marine aquariums but it really isnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t, and Reef Centralââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s here to help you with that.
It would really make things better for you and itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s best to begin the whole enterprise with it. Donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t worryââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s not as complicated as you might think.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6921393#post6921393 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by goldfishbowl
I don't have access to RO filter so will be using Tap water. What do I use to remove chlorine and other chemicals and metals from the water?

What about partial water changes - how do I prepare the water for that, when I only have the one tank?

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll hold off on that until you provide some more info about what youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢d want to set up. This is the least of it and I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t use RO either and there are definitely ways around it.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6921393#post6921393 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by goldfishbowl
Finally - what sort of fish for a beginner would you recommend. I like the idea just a handful of fish with plenty of room, some shrimp to clean and perhaps snails and crabs to help with algea? Again, any help appreciated.

Look forward to any replies.

Stuââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦.youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re gonna love this marine thing. Itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s so great. And, what you think you want now may very well be very different once you start moving ahead and learn more. I set up my 120-gallon tank (something like 400 liters, I think) as a fish only with live rock and maybe a few shrimp, much like you mention here. But, I tried oneââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦count ââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“emââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦one coral, and I was hooked. So, plan ahead.

 

[squibley2]

Well looks like you have some very sound advice already. You can purchase water usually from local stores or even a normal grocery store will have some sort of RO or DI water for sale. This is very good for make up water. I use tap water for my water changes.

I would definitely upgrade the lighting to MH. This will not be very cheep but worth it in the long run, enabling you to keep a much larger variety of corals.

I agree that you should look at a better skimmer! Look for one that is rated at, at least double your tank size IMHO.

Welcome to a great hobby!

 

[goldfishbowl]

Thanks guys for some sound advice.

I'm going to be keeping fish with live rock and a few cleaners such as the odd shrimp etc. Sadly the equipment I have listed is already with me and would be difficult to send back - so I am stuck for the time being with the protien skimmer I ordered.

When you say that you use tap water for partial changes - I guess you treat that water before placing it in the tank? If so what do you use to treat it - is there a solution?

I plan to take this very slowly and want to make sure I get it right.

Look forward to any help based on the above info.

Cheers

Stu

 

[Avi]

There are many inexpensive products on the market for preparing tap water, which has gases like chlorine, for use. I use one called Tap Water Conditioner by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. But others like First Stop and Nova Aqua are good, too.