The stickies in this forum have been extremely helpful and I've read them a few times. I've also turned to Google but my sense is the information just isn't quite specific to my situation, hence this post. My experience in the hobby is with freshwater until this point, and I've generally been able to overcome the difficulties that can arise in that realm and have learned a lot over the years.
I'm just starting my first saltwater tank. Description below, followed by my current questions.
So here's what I'm (deliberately and knowingly) doing wrong:
1. Using conditioned tap water instead of RO/DI. If this turns out to be an enjoyable hobby then I'll invest in a proper purification system. I did note the water qualities out of the tap for reference, if needed.
2. I have no live rock yet, just live aragonite sand. I did NOT wash it adequately.
3. The tank is small: 30 gallons. This is simply because I already had the tank and recently sold the 55 gallon tank I had been using for freshwater. At this point I'm just trying to get a handle on maintaining water quality and have no plans to add fish until I do.
4. My only current method of filtration and circulation is a Rena canister filter I already had (which is actually overkill for a tank of this size, but that opinion is coming from my freshwater experience only).
Here's what it currently looks like: 2 inches of live sand and saltwater, circulated by the canister. It's been filled for less than 24 hours. Nothing in the canister except foam pads, which are working quite rapidly to remove the sand debris stirred up last night. Will set up the lights today: 2 white 10K/2 blue actinic...36W.
Here is what I hope will happen: I'll see signs of life such as green hair algae (probably a lot of it due to the water source) and my tank will begin to measurably cycle. I'm planning to grab some live rock today or tomorrow.
Here are my questions:
1. How can I use my canister filter and, alternatively, what should I NOT use it for?
2. I feel a refugium would be wise to control phosphate. HOB or repurpose a little 3 gallon tank I have?
3. How can I make this endeavor work without a sump for the time being? My thought is that I'll turn the 30 gal into a sump for a larger tank in the future.
4. What should my priorities be during the next week?
To be clear, I've lurked around here enough to understand that I'm handicapping myself right away. The water source, tank size, filtration method, and rock/sand installation order are not ideal. I'm hoping a few brave souls will remain forward-thinking and outcome-oriented in their suggestions. Thanks.
I'm just starting my first saltwater tank. Description below, followed by my current questions.
So here's what I'm (deliberately and knowingly) doing wrong:
1. Using conditioned tap water instead of RO/DI. If this turns out to be an enjoyable hobby then I'll invest in a proper purification system. I did note the water qualities out of the tap for reference, if needed.
2. I have no live rock yet, just live aragonite sand. I did NOT wash it adequately.
3. The tank is small: 30 gallons. This is simply because I already had the tank and recently sold the 55 gallon tank I had been using for freshwater. At this point I'm just trying to get a handle on maintaining water quality and have no plans to add fish until I do.
4. My only current method of filtration and circulation is a Rena canister filter I already had (which is actually overkill for a tank of this size, but that opinion is coming from my freshwater experience only).
Here's what it currently looks like: 2 inches of live sand and saltwater, circulated by the canister. It's been filled for less than 24 hours. Nothing in the canister except foam pads, which are working quite rapidly to remove the sand debris stirred up last night. Will set up the lights today: 2 white 10K/2 blue actinic...36W.
Here is what I hope will happen: I'll see signs of life such as green hair algae (probably a lot of it due to the water source) and my tank will begin to measurably cycle. I'm planning to grab some live rock today or tomorrow.
Here are my questions:
1. How can I use my canister filter and, alternatively, what should I NOT use it for?
2. I feel a refugium would be wise to control phosphate. HOB or repurpose a little 3 gallon tank I have?
3. How can I make this endeavor work without a sump for the time being? My thought is that I'll turn the 30 gal into a sump for a larger tank in the future.
4. What should my priorities be during the next week?
To be clear, I've lurked around here enough to understand that I'm handicapping myself right away. The water source, tank size, filtration method, and rock/sand installation order are not ideal. I'm hoping a few brave souls will remain forward-thinking and outcome-oriented in their suggestions. Thanks.