Advice For A Newbie!

[jlane1980]

Hi All,
This is my first post to this forum, and very unlikely to be my last!
I used to keep Marine fish, using an AquaStyle 980 (215L) as my main tank, with a 620T (130L) as my backup / nursery / quarantine tank.
Unfortunately, due to lack of space following a move, i had to get rid of both tanks, selling the 980 and giving the 620T to a very appreciative Grandfather.
He is now running out of space and has offered to return the tank to me, complete with the Tropical setup he has been running. This leads me (in a round about way) to my first question! I plan to go out and get a few bits and pieces from my LFS tomorrow. Is there anything, in particular, you suggest i buy. Being used to Marine, i had alot of water test kits and other such things! I don't believe there's as much of a need to monitor so many things, so closely, in Tropical as a pose to Marine, but i'm not too sure.
I was planning to get a pH test kit and an accurate thermometer, at the very least, is there anything else you would reccomend?

Also, i plan to buy some new lighting for the tank, using the standard 620T Lighting. (2x T2's). Is lighting as important for a Tropical tank? What do you suggest i get from the following?

Triphospher
Marine Blue
Bio-Lux
Bio-Lux Mix
Marine Blue Mix

A link to the above is HERE

Thanks

Jon

 

[dayzofspeed]

hi there and welcome to the forum, i've found it to be a great source of information with a whole host of helpful and friendly members as for your query i would suggest that you go for a liquid test kit API is very popular it should contain ph, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite, liquid testing is more accurate than strips. as for lighting i have 2 t8 tubes one being white and the other a warm daylight, i would also consider fitting reflectors if possible. good luck with the tank and hope you enjoy your time on the forum......... kevin