New to RC... Starting 1st Tank. Needing Advice!

[Johnny C]

Hey Everyone...

I'm Jon, 20 years old from Buffalo. Just signed up on the site and referred by Steve "S Helinski." I've never done a saltwater setup and attempting my first tank. Basically what I plan on doing is a setup with a few fish, live rock and some coral. I bought some stuff so far and plan on having everything by mid September to start the cycling process.

What I have so far:
-36 Gallon Bowfront Tank w/ Oak Stand
-Penguin 350 Biowheel Power Filter (350GPH)
-Seaclone 100 Protein Skimmer
-Saltwater Test Kit (tests everything under the sun!)

What I plan on buying this month to finish the supplies:
-Coralife 30'' Power Compact Light w/ Actinic & LED's
-30-40lbs. of Live Rock
-30lb. bag of Crushed Coral
-Hydor Koralia 1 Powerhead (400GPH)
-Salt, Hydrometer, Fish Food, ETC.

Anyways, I've done quite a bit of research and tried to piece together a good setup. I know a lot of you guys are seasoned vets to the hobby, but I'm wondering if I can get some advice/suggestions as to if this specific setup is good (how good) and what I should start my tank off with, both fish and corals? I've been to pretty much all of the local pet stores that offer saltwater stuff and it seems like everyone has something different to say.

Also, if someone could point me in the direction of a website or forum that tells how to start cycling my tank once I get all the equipment?

I know I've provided a plethora of questions, hope I'm not being a neusance! Any help/suggestions would be GREATLY appriciated!

PS- If anyone on here sells stuff locally in Buffalo, let me know because I can imagine you guys have some neat stuff! Thanks

 

[RyanEG]

there are several good sites along with this one.

www.wnyreefforum.com
www.melevsreef.com
www.fingerlakesreef.com
www.livingreefs.com

I would look into more live rock closer to 50 lb IMO.

You are definately going to need a lot more flow than what a K1 can offer. I would look into a pair of 2s or 3s. Dont waste your money on a hydrometer either spend the 35 or 40 bucks and get a refractometer. Skip the crushed coral as well. Its just a detrious trap that will build nitrates go with a sand bed or bare bottom.

With that size tank you will be limited to 3-4 fish max so choose wisely do your research I would start out with a small hardy fish such as a clown or green or blue chromis.

Start out with a hardy coral as well. Zoanthids or mushrooms make great starters. You will also probably be limited to soft corals and leathers. The Power Compacts are the result. Your could spend a little more cash and get into a T5 fixture and be unlimited in what you keep except for maybe anenomes.

Look into Nova Extremes or Nova Pros or Tek lights. They will take off the teathers for your coral selection.

 

[KurtsReef]

Welcome to the boards, its a fun but expensive hobby

 

[dreaminmel]

[welcome]

It's always good to see fresh minds enter the hobby. I think we've all made a mistake or two since we started so there is definately a great wealth of information on here to help you avoid the same mistakes.

 

[block head]

new to the hobby myself. i'd try and buy most of your equipment here or from local hobbiest. a mentor u can trust will save u $ and lheadaches. welcome

 

[S Helinski]

WELCOME JON!

I've got a lot of used crushed coral if you need some. You'll still have to wash it, but it should be a lot less dusty than new crushed coral...

Steve

 

[kalebsdad21]

Welcome you will get allot of great advice here. I will also have to agree on getting a better lighting system or you will most likely be upgrading shortly.

 

[nate82]

welcome man, i would reccomend getting a used higher quality skimmer as i have never heard a good thing about the seaclone try a bakpak or an aqua c remora i got my bakpak for 60 bucks

 

[ox5477]

Agree 100% with Nate82... I have a seaclone and its honestly a piece of garbage. I have to constantly tweek air flow coming into the venturi to get the right amount of bubbles to properly skim....

Ox:spin1:

 

[nate82]

haha basically before buying anything ask around here first because someone will either give it to you used or head you in the right direction to find a deal online

 

[oceanparadise1]

if i where u i would not do tha crushed coral it get dirty fast and is hard to clean i would go with a fine substrate like some sand

 

[Jedistphn]

Welcome... Feel free to ask all your questions here.

The only stupid question is the question unasked...

Jedi
:strooper: :strooper: :strooper:

 

[AC11337]

Hello, i can say from personal experience you do not want crushed coral. The worst part about it is it turns green 2 days after you vacuum it, it also produces alot of nitrates (which i think is the reason snails never last in my tank). I would go with a thin layer of sand (less than an inch) That way you can just get some nassarius snails to keep the substrate clean. A little more flow couldn't hurt, it keeps detritus from settling on LR and fertilizing algae. I can also say from personal experience you do not want PC lighting, it works fine, but it runs hot and the bulbs are a fortune to replace. Look into a sunlight supply tek T5 fixture. If you can getting a better skimmer would help you out alot in the long run. Even a bak pak 2r or an aquaC remora. (which are pretty inexpensive) I have the bak pak 2r and it does a decent job on my 55. Remove the biowheels from the penguin, in a reef tank LR and LS are your bio filters. Most importantly, go slow and make sure you get it set up the way you want it the first time, or you'll up up like me

GOOD LUCK!

 

[belgian_waffleman]

Welcome! :wavehand:

Waffleman

 

[oceanparadise1]

i second the better light DONT use PCs esp when T5hos can be had for around the same price. Upgrade ur skimmer try to find an aqua c with mj1200 u can get those cheap! Also get one more hydor K1 it will be worth it and if u can grab a nano Hydor have the nano pointed at the surface of the water to create better gas exchange and use the two k1s just for flow in the tank but thats JMO

 

[Johnny C]

Wow... thanks everyone for your advice! I wasn't expecting such a response! I will definatly be in contact with some of you, keep it coming!

 

[tmz]

Welcome.My opinion

T-5s will work better for you than pcs.You can pack in more light in the space on your tank, You may find this a big plus later on when you wan't to add lighting.

Swing arm hydrometers are very inaccurate and inconsistent. A refractometer is far better an you will use it a lot over the years.

Depending on the porosity of th rock and your plan for aquascaping anywhere from 3/4 lb to 11/2 lbs of live rock per gallon will be sufficient.Keep the aquascape open for good flow : to eliminate dead spots where detrius may accumulate and for swimming room.By the way you can mix live rock and dry rock which is less expensive at about 50 50.

I would not use the bio wheel . The filter is ok but you don't need the biowheel on a salt water tank. It will produce nitrate which will fuel nuisance algae.

I assume you got one of those "master test kits". Good to have for ammonia,nitrite, nitrate, ph, but not everything under the sun unfortunately. As you progress you will probably need a good alkalinity test kits as well as calcium and magnesium kits. At some point you may wan't a ph meter.

Look into a reverse osmosis unit. The tap water impurity content is too unpredictable.

You don't need a substrate unless you like the worms and such that live in it or you wan't to keep animals that need sand. If you do wan't sand crushed coral is a poor choice in my opinion, It will trap detrius Sand using creatures such as a wrasse looking for a place to bury itself can't really use it well.

Continue to be patient. Once you set the tank up let it cycle for 6 and preferably 8 weeks. Remeber ,even cured live rock will have die off and the process takes time.

Corals and fish can be introduced together or in any sequence. Corals do take up nitrate and phosphate and help clean the water but they require very stable salinity and water quality.

Research each specimen(fish or invertebrate) you intend to keep carefully and make sure they are compatible with one another and that they fit your tank.

Take time to learn and study. The amount you can learn about this hobby is practically inexhaustable.

When using the RC forums be careful to sort the wheat from the chaffe. There is some poor irresponsible advice out there from folks who like to hear themselves talk. You'll need to get a grounding so you can tell the difference.

Good Luck and have fun.

 

[Henry Colf]

I have a couple venturi's you could have to rock that seaclone. They are custom made and work real well. If not I have a couple of skimmers collecting dust in my basement I would be willing to let go for cheap.

 

[rickyrivera1]

The number one rule is be patient. I remember when i first started i was antsy and was dying to throw stuff in the tank right away. But the good thing is that during the the start up and cycling of the tank it gave me a chance to stock up on some much needed equipment as well as buy some rock from someone that was getting out of the hobby dirt cheap. This is a hobby that takes alot of patience....lots of patience, but in the end it will be worth it. Your surrounded by some damn good reefers that are full of knowledge and and that are always willing to give you a hand.

So like Jedi said, "The only stupid question is the question unasked...".

And most importantly have fun!!!!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

welcome to the URS Forum on RC, Jon.
I agree with a lot of advice posted here so far but some of it (IME) isn't necessarily true. My best advice would be to always seek second, third and fourth opinions. Good luck.

PS: if you can get Helinski to show you his aquarium, do so and listen to his advice.