Newbie with questions about my saltwater tank

[newreef06]

Im new to the hobby. I just got a 55gallon all glass tank. Made a pine stand. Painted it black. I have 40 lBS of arginite sand. Red sea deluxe protien skimmer. Insant ocean salt. Hydrometer. Satellite 260 watt PC lighting. I need a filter and live rock.

Someone told me to buy a Emporor 400. The one that hangs on the back of the tank. They told me not to buy the canaster type. Also I was wondering what do you guys do to rinse the sand.

Im going to buy some Fiji live rock. This week. I was wondering how to mix the salt. And how much I sould use for a 5 gallon bucket. I would hate to mix 11 5 gallon buckets. Do you guys have any suggestions on maybe using a rubber made trash barrel? Also should I add the sand 1st and then put the live rock on top of the sand. Or put the live rock 1st then the sand. let the live rock sit right on the glass. I know some of these questions might sound stupid. Buy I m new and figure you guys would have suggestions

Scott

 

[graveyardworm]

newreef06

Sounds like you're off to a pretty good start. Is the Red Sea skimmer the berlin model? Is this going to be a reef tank or Fish Only with Live Rock (FOWLR). If its going to be a reef then dont worry about the filter the Live Rock does a better job.

 

[budjr8000]

mix your water in the tank first then the next day put in sand then the next day or two (when ever the sand settels) put rock in then you will be ok

 

[Sk8r]

Well, I know a few of those: get a little pump and submerge it in the bucket. Use ro/di water if you can get it. My marine salt is about 1/2 cup per gallon to get to the .024 level. Use your 5 gallon to measure with: it's more precise, IMHO, and you can mark the side. Beats futzing with salt levels in large volumes of water. Then transfer the water to your large container, but remember---what you fill, you have to move, and that includes a big water barrel! Be sure your tank is positioned exactly where you want it, so you can get a magnetic cleaner behind it, so it's not squee-angled on the stand, etc. (ask me how I learned this). A small-bore siphon hose can be useful. And let the water mix really well. Hope that helps some.

 

[PatMayo]

This is what I would do. I would go and buy 2 ea. Brute 44 gallon garbage cans from home depot. I would rinse them each very well before use. I would then fill 1 of the garbage cans until about 6 inches from the top of the can with RO/DI water. Then mix your salt into the can. If you read the container that the salt is in it will tell you the mix. I would mix it to 1.026 which is natural sea water. I would put a heater in the can along with a power head to mix it well. If you don't have a refractometer to measure SG you may want to get one as they are the most accurate.

Get that mixed to the correct sg and heated to 80" and you are ready to add to the tank. I use a pump but in lieu of a pump you can use a 5 gallon bucket and hump it in the tank. If you put your sand in first and then lay a plate on the sand and them pour slowly into the tank you will minimize the sand storm.

Your probably asking what to do with the other garbage can? I have 2 because I mix one can with salt water ready to go. I do 8 gallon water changes a week so it lasts quite awhile. The other bucket is pure RO/DI water used for daily top offs. Since your tank is 55 gallons I would think no more than 1/2 gallon or less will evap per day. My 90 evaps 3/4 gallon per day with a 30 gallon sump. Most goes out the sump because my tank has glass covers on it.

Here is a link for parameters of the tank.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Anyway, need anymore information feel free to ask.

Regards,

Pat

 

[newreef06]

THANKS GUYS FOR YOUR HELP. WHERE CAN I GET THE RO/DI WATER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND HOW MUCH IS IT

SCOTT

 

[Sk8r]

Ro/di water can be gotten from a local fish store, or a few other sources. As big as your tank is, you might want to consider getting your own ro/di unit, expensive though they are---you hook them to the house water (mine is in the laundry closet) and run them to fill your topoff water or water change needs. There can be quite a lengthy discussion about the merits of various water sources, but ro/di is reliable water, and in the long run, producing it yourself is easier than hauling it from elsewhere. You might want to read up on ro/di issues in the discussion threads and make your own choice. I'm convinced that buying your water gallon by gallon or buying the unit to produce it is probably just about equal in cost---sooner or later.

 

[mg426]

If you can aerate your RO water before you mix the salt it will help drive out CO2 . This will help with maintaining proper PH.

 

[MBuck]

I filled my tank, no sand or LR with water, added my heater and powerheads, waited til it was about 70 degrees and added salt according to the directions on the container of salt....I waited til it reached temp, checked the salinity, and then added salt or water, as needed to reach the proper parameters.

If you have too much salt, take some water out of the system, and add fresh water. Kepp your saltwater in another container for later use. If you don't have enough salt, just add a small amount, wait for an hour or so, and check it again. then you only have to put water in your tank to fill it, one time.


You will need to remove part of the water before adding your LR and sand, as they will displace the water in your system, so just throw some back into your rubbermaid container, add your LR, .....then add water back to the tank to fill it...
I would add my LR , and then wait to see if you have any dieoff, easier to clean a bare-bottom tank then one with sand in it....then add your sand. No chance of rocks toppling due to burrowing critters that way!!

HTH!