First Time Setting Up Tank "Help"

[B216adkins]

Hello, fellow aquarium lovers. Today I just brought my nano aquarium and some live rock. I just want to get some expert advise because I want everything perfect. Now I have some questions. Do I put the live sand in first then put the water in or put the water in then the sand? Are there any chemicals that I need to add as well? Do I create the saltwater in a bucket or in the aquarium? Also is there any books that I should read? I just love marine life,so Im willing to take any suggestions from anybody.

 

Thanks

Brandon

[Coral Hind]

Congrats on the new tank and welcome to WAMAS!!

 

You will find that everyone has their own way to do things but this is what I do.

 

I like to place the rocks in first then place the rinsed sand around them. This ensures the rocks are firmly placed on the glass and a digging fish will not cause a rock slide. Once the rock/sand are in the tank you can fill it up. Since it is a new tank with no livestock in it, it doesn't matter if you mix the salt directly in the tank. After the initial start-up you will want to do it in a bucket. For right now you do not need to add any chemicals other then maybe a buffer, but only if testing shows that it is needed.

[Coral Hind]

This is a nice basic guide that I share at another site.

http://www.fishlore.com/reeftanksetup.htm

[jason the filter freak]

welcome, initially skip the chemicals they're all pretty much bs any way, down the road supplementing is a good idea now but just stick to getting the tank up and running, where are you located by the way?

[ctenophore]

You mentioned that you have live rock & live sand. If so, mixing the salt right in the tank is not great for the microfauna in the rock/sand. Better to mix it in buckets separately, aerate for minimum 6 hours, then fill the tank. But everything else above is what I would do too.

 

Welcome to WAMAS!

 

Justin

[B216adkins]

welcome, initially skip the chemicals they're all pretty much bs any way, down the road supplementing is a good idea now but just stick to getting the tank up and running, where are you located by the way?

Im located in Capitol Heights, MD

[B216adkins]

Congrats on the new tank and welcome to WAMAS!!

 

You will find that everyone has their own way to do things but this is what I do.

 

I like to place the rocks in first then place the rinsed sand around them. This ensures the rocks are firmly placed on the glass and a digging fish will not cause a rock slide. Once the rock/sand are in the tank you can fill it up. Since it is a new tank with no livestock in it, it doesn't matter if you mix the salt directly in the tank. After the initial start-up you will want to do it in a bucket. For right now you do not need to add any chemicals other then maybe a buffer, but only if testing shows that it is needed.

 

 

You mentioned that you have live rock & live sand. If so, mixing the salt right in the tank is not great for the microfauna in the rock/sand. Better to mix it in buckets separately, aerate for minimum 6 hours, then fill the tank. But everything else above is what I would do too.

 

Welcome to WAMAS!

 

Justin

Thanks Alot Everybody I will be sure to contact you guys if I have any more questions