started tank over the weekend

[Muddy357]

Well I probably drove around 400 miles over the weekend going to different LFS and some not so local. I have 36 pounds of dry rock in the tank and 14 pounds of live rock, 40 pounds of live sand, and 40 gallons of water. I ended up getting a hang on the back filter Eheim 2042 Liberty 200 from Atlantis Aquariums in Richmond along with a Hydro Koralia power head size 1400 GPH. I have not decided on which protein skimmer to get yet but I will be picking that up later this week. I have attached a pick of the tank with everything in it. I bought 30 gallons of the water from pet-co and the other 10 gallons from Blue Ribbon Koi and Marine also I got a bottle of API Stress Zyme. If I am missing something please let me know.

[amay121]

Welcome to WAMAS.

 

A few things:

 

1) Nitrate, Nitrite, PH,and Ammonia test kit (just get the cheap API one and use it for reference) - around $30 or so (almost all stores sell them, even some of the bigger chains).

2) Decide on what you'd like to do with the tank (fish only, corals), what type (of fish and/or corals), their temperament and the like (research on what others have experienced with their livestock).

3) If you'd like to save money in the long run look for a RO/DI unit - around $100-$150

4) Be patient take your time, don't rush just because something looks cool or is on sale (this is typically for livestock)

5) Although not a necessary to have, maybe look into a controller (Neptune Systems or Digital Aquatics) to automate certain things (lights, heater control, top off) it could help you out some.

6) Maybe a refractometer - around $50

 

Since this is a new tank:

1) Think about what you'd like to have as your clean up crew (snails, hermits, etc). These are usually the first inhabitants after the cycle.

 

Also, join WAMAS, they're a pretty cool bunch (and for $20 it's a steal). As a newbie to the hobby, some of the folks may even help you out with some easy beginner corals. You also get to unlock the Sale section (which could save you a lot of money).

 

Another thing you may want is to put in your location, not a necessary, but good to have sometimes.

[clearsky57]

Welcome Muddy357

 

what size tank is it?

 

While I am pretty new to the hobby myself.... I am sucking in more and more from these wamas members every day... A great group and if you want some question answered it will be on here..... (may not be what you want to hear sometimes, but I feel everyone means well, and all in your best interst)

 

 

I have a twin 175 watt metal haylide fixture I might be getting rid of.. it is used, (I am the second owner) but it works.. I was going to retrofit it to my 75, (pull out the reflector or buy new spider reflectors and mount them in my new canopy, as the the original has some corrosion)

it is a 48" one, suitable for just about anything you want to grow....

 

I am going another route with lighting, (still metal haylides but independant transformers instead of the one unit.)

 

also, I have a hang on skimmer (used but works) Red Sea Prizm Energizer.... It came with my 75 when I bought it... (was hanging on the sump)

 

if you are interested, please let me know... I am just north of Richmond, so might be near you as I noticed you visited Atlantis...

 

good luck

[Muddy357]

Welcome Muddy357

 

what size tank is it?

 

While I am pretty new to the hobby myself.... I am sucking in more and more from these wamas members every day... A great group and if you want some question answered it will be on here..... (may not be what you want to hear sometimes, but I feel everyone means well, and all in your best interst)

 

 

I have a twin 175 watt metal haylide fixture I might be getting rid of.. it is used, (I am the second owner) but it works.. I was going to retrofit it to my 75, (pull out the reflector or buy new spider reflectors and mount them in my new canopy, as the the original has some corrosion)

it is a 48" one, suitable for just about anything you want to grow....

 

I am going another route with lighting, (still metal haylides but independant transformers instead of the one unit.)

 

also, I have a hang on skimmer (used but works) Red Sea Prizm Energizer.... It came with my 75 when I bought it... (was hanging on the sump)

 

if you are interested, please let me know... I am just north of Richmond, so might be near you as I noticed you visited Atlantis...

 

good luck

 

I have a 55 gallon tank I do not have a canopy for my tank I just have the cheap tank lights on it right now that came with the tank when I bought it but I am looking into what I need to possibly do corals down the road.

[Muddy357]

I had to shrink down the picture a lot but I have attached a picture of the tank.

 

 

[SunWyrm]

Yay, another tank with black sand! You won't be sorry.

 

Welcome to wamas btw. We're located in Woodbridge as well, if you need anything let us know.

 

I used stress zyme in my 360-but didn't notice a difference. In fact my cycle took longer but I'm not sure if that was the cause. I would just seed your rock with some live pieces and maybe toss in a shrimp to get it going.

Edited February 6, 2012 by YiatzOfEden

[Muddy357]

Yay, another tank with black sand! You won't be sorry.

 

Welcome to wamas btw. We're located in Woodbridge as well, if you need anything let us know.

 

I used stress zyme in my 360-but didn't notice a difference. In fact my cycle took longer but I'm not sure if that was the cause. I would just seed your rock with some live pieces and maybe toss in a shrimp to get it going.

 

Thanks for the post, as things move further along there will be tons of pictures because I do photography on the side. If you every want some pic's taken of your tanks or fish let me know. As for the cycling process possibly taking longer I am in no hurry to start stocking the tank.

[Jan]

Welcome to WAMAS!

 

-The most important thing when setting up a new tank is to let it cycle. Be patient.

-While your tank cycles you will need to test for Ammonia, Nitrite, PH and Nitrates to see where you are in the cycle. If you're not interested in testing every few days you will still need to test before you add livestock to make sure you have no ammonia or Nitrites. these two are killers!

-You should consider purchasing a test kit that includes all of these tests.

-You should also invest in a refractometer to check your SG (salinity). Water evaporates so consider how you will be "topping off" (adding additional purified water) to maintain the SG.

-You'll also need a heater and a thermometer of some sort.

Are you considering putting together a sump and plumbing the tank to the sump?

Now 55 gallons isn't too big so if you don't have an RO/DI unit to make your own filtered water you can purchase distilled water to top off and for mix. You can also just continue to purchase 5 or so gallons of water a week from your LFS.

 

Most of these items, except for the test kit, are on our for sale forum often. Membership can save you big bucks.

 

Here's a chart that you can follow for porper parameteres http://reefkeeping.c...5/rhf/index.php

An easy to understand write up on the Aquarium nitrogen cycle http://www.fishlore....trogenCycle.htm

On this site you can read about many marine fish. choose the types of fish you want using the compatability chart on the bottom left. For 55 gallon you don't want fish that will grow to over 6" http://www.liveaquar...pplies.cfm?c=15

 

Educate yourself about the various rock hitchhikers http://www.chucksadd...itchhikers.html

 

You'll see all kinds of changes in your tank; brownish algae (Diatom algae), little white spots (copepods) Little shrimp looking critters that tumble and curl up (Amphipods). these are normal. Take pics and post them of whatever you have a question about. Have fun. Read, read, read!!!

 

The $20.00 you'll pay in membership fee will pay for itself over and over again in savings you'll have from equipment and livestock you'll be able to purchase from other members as well as the discounts you will receive from some of our sponsoring vendors. The information and support you'll get, is priceless!

Jan

Edited February 6, 2012 by Jan

[Coral Hind]

Muddy357,

Congrats on the new tank!!

 

 

I would just seed your rock with some live pieces and maybe toss in a shrimp to get it going.

 

I just want to clarify that they were talking about adding a small DEAD shrimp to the tank to start the biological cycle. Adding a live shrimp now would not be good. It is a practice that some people use, I don't think it is needed though.

[SunWyrm]

Yes, that's what I meant. Apologies-I'm hungry and all I can think about is the edible kind.

 

I've never used the shrimp personally; just live sand and rock.

[Ryan S]

Muddy357,

Congrats on the new tank!!

 

I just want to clarify that they were talking about adding a small DEAD shrimp to the tank to start the biological cycle. Adding a live shrimp now would not be good. It is a practice that some people use, I don't think it is needed though.

 

Just pee in it...

 

http://www.wamas.org/forums/topic/48027-want-to-speed-up-your-tanks-cycle-process/page__pid__402610__st__0entry402610

 

lol. sorry. couldn't resist!

[Muddy357]

I put the heater in place last night and the thermometer and the temp is holding at 76 degrees.... I refuse to pee in my tank LOL I will be taking a sample of the water to pet-co this weekend to get the water tested.

[RubberFrog]

Oh, not petco... lol

 

 

The person testing your water might not even know what they're doing. Don't you have an lfs near you?

[SunWyrm]

If it's the Woodbridge petco... Only talk to Helen - and research what she says for a second opinion (should probably do that with most places). I wouldn't get fish from there unless you have a good qt AND the fish is exceptionally healthy. I've bought a lot from there and there are some good things to be had if you watch but please be careful.

 

It can be nice as they're so close in an emergency, but for a good lfs Aquatic Obsession is just a short drive (and looking awesome btw).

 

 

[Muddy357]

I also was thinking about having Blue Ribbon Koi testing it for me.

[Ryan S]

I also was thinking about having Blue Ribbon Koi testing it for me.

 

It wouldn't hurt to pick one of these up and have the ability to test it at home too:

 

http://www.amazon.com/API-SALTWATER-MASTER-TEST-KIT/dp/B001EUE808/ref=pd_sim_petsupplies_1

 

You can get these at Petco, Amazon, BRK, etc.

[SunWyrm]

^+1

If something looks off when I get home, I gotta test. Can't be running to the store everytime and brk is such a drive for just a water test when you can't pick up any livestock yet.

[surf&turf]

Welcome aboard and congrats on the new tank. The addiction begins.

[Muddy357]

I will be getting the protein skimmer and the testing kit next week because I have to wait till my next payday.

[Reefoholic]

<br />Welcome aboard and congrats on the new tank. The addiction begins.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

 

Welcome!! I agree with everyone's suggestions here. This is a very knowledgable and experienced bunch of reefers on WAMAS so you are in good hands. I would definitely invest in the membership since apart from many other threads and parts of forum you can access, also there is always someone selling something that can be very reasonably priced and needed since you are starting a new tank from scratch.

 

API test kits are not the most reliable but definitely enough on this stage of the game. You wanna test at least every other day to see how your cycle is coming along.

 

Last but not least, patience is the key. Everything takes care of itself in time and an established tank from the very beginning means less head aches down the road.

 

Happy reefing!!!