Just Getting Started

[ZIN22]

I have been reading,reading,reading and now would like some advice please. This is my first thread.
I have a RR 75 gal tank, tek T5 hanging fixture,aqua pro skimmer w/ mag 3,percision 30 gal fuge,tunze 6000,mag 12 ,I am looking at a RO/DI.
I plan to host sps,lps,fish
my questions are does anybody have feelings about kent biosediment substrate for my reef?

whats best cleaning crew? hearing some crabs are not good ,where to get cleaning crew?

what about calcium addative or calc reactor, when does this come into play?

anything I need to know before I get this thing running?

any does or donts that may help a newbbie?

does it matter what live rock you put in your tank? what about buying a persons rock from his tank he is selling,even animals for that matter? thanks for any help at all.

 

[Mike 1911A1]

whats best cleaning crew? hearing some crabs are not good ,where to get cleaning crew?

Hermit crabs and snails are good. About 1 per gallon.

what about calcium addative or calc reactor, when does this come into play?
You don't need to worry about this until you get calcifing corals.

any does or donts that may help a newbbie?
Do lot's of reading. DON'T go too fast. The old saying is "Nothing good happens in this hobby fast!".

 

[PVitty77]

not 100 percent sure but i think the lighting will not be enough for the SPS and LPS. Might want to get MH lighting. but id wait for the experts. and also listen to mike "nothing good happens fast" read a few books and ask alot of questions here on RC. it'll be better for the Animals and better for your wallet. i reccomend "natural reef aquariums" by Tullock , and "Aquarium Corals" by Borneman.

 

[GL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7367171#post7367171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PVitty77
not 100 percent sure but i think the lighting will not be enough for the SPS and LPS. Might want to get MH lighting. but id wait for the experts.

How many bulbs in the T5?

SPS and LPS are no problem with the T5 if you have the 6 bulb setup and you mix a good combos of bulbs. You will need to find shade for mushrooms and some other softies.

Cleanup Crew. Certainly a mixed variety of snails, there are mixed opinions on hermits but you can add a few at a time and see for yourself what you think. Try your LFS and see if there is any local, it is a good place to start.

GO SLOW - Also pick your coral carefully, don't just get some to get some, avoid compulsive buying and be specific on what you want.

Like above, test your water, only add calc when your tank requires it. I would start with a 2 part additive first, look at B-onic or kent.

HTH.

 

[ZIN22]

thanks guys for the advice and the leads on what to get.
my T5'S are 6 bulbs combo of three different lights.
and boy I have been reading and plan to take it very slow,also just ordered 3 books recomended to me from another quality reefer.
knowing specific qualty items or places to buy products cuts down my work for searching alot,so thanks alot for the advice.

 

[keefsama2003]

your lighting is more than enough. just make sure to put your sps a little higher in the tank but otherwise should beok

i saw a thriving sps reef run on just T5's he was actually tank of themonth a few months back

and im running strait T5's on my 300 so you dont have to really worry about halides T5 have the same par as halides but not in a point spectrum its spread thruout the bulb and the tank.

also i would stock slowly all small fish first and then move up once a month so if your doing clowns get them situated then move up from there if your going to have an anemone i would buy the anemone at about the 4-5 month mark get that settled first then add your clownfish i have seen that anemones should be established first if your going to have one because if the clowns do host it they will place a good deal of stress on it so its better to have it established to cut the stress down on new acclimation and clowns.

good luck and take it SLOWLY as stated above nothing good happens fast.

 

[ZIN22]

thats the kinda info I am looking for,great info to know thanks alot!!
thanks for the T5 reasurance also. I bought them from another reefer upgrading to larger tank he has helped me a ton but more info I can get the better. thanks