Thinking of jumping in...

[jlcoop277]

Ok, not jumping right in, but trying to plan ahead.
My current tank is a 100g 60"x18"x20 it's not RR but I'm gonna be drilling and plumbing a bean animal set up soon. Once that's done it'll drain into a 55g sump. Its been running for over 3 years as fresh water. I kept Discus for about 2. I have Kaldness media,Heaters,pumps, and lights. just gotta finish the new stand and buy the bulkheads.
I want to do FO as this will be my first salty. What all do I need for a FO tank?
Do I need a skimmer, live rock etc etc...???
Can I use Kaldness for salt?

 

[clowntriggerfis]

I would get a skimmer rated for at least 100 gallons preferably more I would do a in sump if you have room. I would get live rock it ads biologicle filtration and adds a more natural and IMO nicer look but it is not required.

 

[anbosu]

I'm not sure what Kaldness is - instant ocean is a pretty reliable salt for FO tanks and it usually inexpensive.

I would buy live rock and use it to help cycle your tank. It also provides good biological filtration later and can act as a food source for grazing fish and inverts.

I would recommend a QT setup so you can avoid adding sick fish to your system, and most of all I would recommend that you move slowly. Make sure your tank is cycled before adding fish, and then add them slowly. I would guess that most people kill the majority of the first fish they purchase in this hobby because they are in a hurry to have something in the tank.

 

[jlcoop277]

Kaldness is for fluidized beds. But I'm just gonna get a skimmer.
I have a 29g that's my Q tank already.
My big question is is RO a must for FO? I know it's best, but is it a must?

 

[clowntriggerfis]

From what I have heard no but usauly if you have well water there is nothing to worry about there are quite a few reefers on RC that use well water and there reefs are totaly fine but even if you dont have well water I think it will be fine for FO.

 

[anbosu]

Kaldness is for fluidized beds. But I'm just gonna get a skimmer.
I have a 29g that's my Q tank already.
My big question is is RO a must for FO? I know it's best, but is it a must?

It depends on where you live - some areas will dump chloramine in their tap water without telling you and apparently that can kill fish. I have never had an issue using tap other than uncontrollable algae growth.

 

[jlcoop277]

I use Tap now with my Freshwater even when I had Discus, without any issues. i do treat with Prime or Safe first though.