Startin Over

[PotteryMan]

I have been in the hobby for 24 years. I have had the same aquarium I am starting back up for 20. The last 2 years it has been shut down after frustration.

I am trying to decide what direction to take with it. In the past I have had fish only then FOWLR the last time. I was always fighting algae problems and I didn't invest the money to do things "right". I just installed a RO/DI unit from Buckeye Hydro TODAY.

So here is where I am:

Tank is 65" x 18" x 20" - Drilled 2 overflows
Added 50 lbs live rock to roughly 100 lbs dead rock in tank on 8/14.
Wet/Dry filter***
Have UV sterilizer - not running currently
Skimmer - not running currently - it is cheap junk
New Orbit Marine 48" LED Lights
QTY 2 - Koralia Evolution 1500 pumps in tank

Tanks is in cycle and has brown algae growing. Now for the Wet/Dry after much research, I figure I need to get rid of it and go straight sump. I am in the process of building a ATS.

Should I pull all of the bioballs out immediately before it finishes the cycle?
If I want to keep soft corals what advice can you give? Need more light? I know to read read read and take it slow.

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[speedyron]

make sure put a filter on b4 the rodi ur cartridges will last much longer. 48 is not long nuff for 65 tank. if your thinking reef tank or reef and fish. what type corals u plan on keeping. that will make diff on what u will need for equip

 

[PotteryMan]

I have never kept corals. So I am not jumping into LPS or SPS. I am thinking soft corals such as mushroom, leather, and buttons. I haven't begun to pick out corals. Just know I want to have some in the aquarium.

I hope that answers your question. Thanks for the advice on the filter before the rodi.

 

[speedyron]

in my opinion some lps are easier to keep then some leathers. Im just saying what u want keep dictates the equipment needed. also the equipment dictates the ease of maintenance u need perform. Id suggest going on a reef store tour. look at whats available to u. decide what youd like to keep(direction to go in), not whats latest craze then let us know and we can tell you what you will need to do in order to keep them. another forum I belong to has so called reef store tours where 4,5,or six people get together and hit all the stores in an area chip in gas so forth

 

[Flippers4pups]

Invest in a ATO. Use a float valve on your top off fresh water container. Get a refractometer and some calibration fluid. Dump the bio balls. Invest in a good quality skimmer. That's a start. Softies are easy. Toadstools and finger leathers are easy.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Oh and welcome back to the hobby!

 

[PotteryMan]

Good advice. And it's good to be back. Just having water in the tank and lights on makes me happy.

I have a refractometer at the UPS hub being delivered Monday. Always used the swing arms. The skimmer I have is junk. Dumping it and next purchase is a quality skimmer.

I am going to dump the bio balls immediately.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Good advice. And it's good to be back. Just having water in the tank and lights on makes me happy.

I have a refractometer at the UPS hub being delivered Monday. Always used the swing arms. The skimmer I have is junk. Dumping it and next purchase is a quality skimmer.

I am going to dump the bio balls immediately.

:spin3:

 

[SFish]

Softies are easy. Toadstools and finger leathers are easy.

That's good to know. I am looking to get into some corals and wasn't sure where to start.

 

[SFish]

Oh and WB and good luck