Atm's 5.5 Gallon Tank (reef In Progress)

[atmmachine816]

Thanks I think I'll be getting the equipment, will have to see if my dad would like me to do a money order or if he would order them online for me. I'll do a little tank equipment etc. that i'll have later today, just got back from a track meet.

No I'm planning on going barbottom since i'v been told it will be easier to keep clean and levels stable this way. Unless this isn't a good idea I guess I could buy some sand but they only sell them in 25lb. bags by me which is way more than I need, but if I should get it I will. Let me know please? thanks

 

[atmmachine816]

Is this an ok position for equipment?

tank ready to go with filter, heater, powerhead, mag-float, and thermometer


so far:
filter-aquaclear 20
lighting-10w cp 6500K with reflector
heating-25w elite HOB heater
powerhead-maxi-jet 400
substrate-will be bare (any objections to this)
LR-5lbs. (this ok or should I get 4 or 6)
water-will be distilled and peridocially RO or DI when I can get it

anything else?

 

[atmmachine816]

Well I found out what happens when a thermometer slips through your hands, it breaks. Took the thermometer off the wall today and it came off harder than I though and it fell and hit the glass on the bottom of the tank, breaking and black balls spilling over the place making a mess. O well will have to get a new thermometer now but I took suction cup off this one and put it on my other so it's ok. moral of the story, don't put your thermometer on the wall until there's water in the tank

I think I'm going to go with a 1" sand substrate aragonite live sand, ok?

 

[@ombomb]

Definitely the right decision to go with sand IMO, good haven for bacteria.

The more live rock the better, if you can get 6.

You'll probably want more light than that long term, but otherwise everything seems to be on track!

 

[atmmachine816]

I'm going to buy a 20lb. of live aragonite sand then whatever I don't use my friend is going to buy from me, he has a 145, 125, and 75 gallon tank so he can't find a use for it. lucky me

Ya I'm thinking 6 since I like the look of fuller tanks, if they give me smaller pieces could I get 7?

I'm looking into this light unit in a few months to make the tank reef, should be enough lighting correct, 6.5 wpg?

thanks

 

[gigmeyer]

From everything I've read, the substrate idea is better than bare bottom. My understanding is that aragonite substrate is a key buffering material to keep your PH regulated. If you're cycling with live rock, the aragonite sand will naturally become live over time, so you can save a little money using non-live aragonite. A good cleanup crew stirs up the saned pretty well, so you shouldn't have to worry too much about keeping it clean though vacuuming during water changes is always a good idea.

The books I followed recommended adding the live rock before any sand so your cleanup crew does not dig under the rock and topple your aquascaping. This worked well for me though one person at an LFS I visited was surprised I did it this way.

 

[atmmachine816]

Ya I'm thinking of adding the sand after LR as that's what I'v read too, and makes sense if you think about it.

 

[atmmachine816]

psst. http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...p;N=2004+113554 this good sand?

 

[Redstratplayer1]

Yep

 

[atmmachine816]

Thanks

soo...... the bad news, my dad says he doesn't want me borrowing money and wants me to wait till I have all the money to buy the refractometer, test kit, and heater at once to save on shipping so I have to wait until april to get that, I'll probably just buy a reef test kit then.

good news, he says he'l buy the stuff online for me so I can get what I want now, but I won't be able to get livestock until later since I won't be able to test my levels myself.

Sooo, not being able to get a heater for the tank, when I go to pick up my LR do you think it will be ok to have my tank going with SW in it a day before using my HOB heater, picking up a new heater when I get the LR, letting the LR sit in the box for a few hours until I can get the new heater set at holding a temp. where I want it? Thanks

O how does this sound for a refugium: aquaclear 20, put in a wall by the impeller and waterfall area to keep the water in it and from letting the LR rubble from leaving. Stick LR in it and light it with a micro whilte l.e.d. light white color and put whatever else I can put in there. Does this sound ok or am I going to need better lighting, included is a picture of what I mean, excuse the slopiness, it's a bad program this computer has

p.s. if you can't tell I'v just asked all my questions here rather making multiple posts

 

[SkiFletch]

Why can't you use the HOB heater?

 

[atmmachine816]

I need another heater for preparing the SW since I only have one small enough atm, I only have a 150w spare which is too powerful.

Books I'v requested and waiting to get into my library:

The marine aquarium yearbook / by Richard F. Stratton.

Aquariums for dummies / by Maddy Hargrove and Mic Hargrove.

Aquariums : the complete guide to freshwater and saltwater aquariums / Thierry Maître-Allain and Chr

The new marine aquarium : step-by-step setup & stocking guide / Michael S. Paletta ; illustrations b

The simple guide to mini-reefs aquariums / Jeffrey Kurtz.

Aquarium corals : selection, husbandry, and natural history / Eric H. Borneman ; with a foreword by

The conscientious marine aquarist : a commonsense handbook for successful saltwater hobbyists / Robe


Anybody know of any good books/sites that I can read about making and mainting refugiums and the lighting requiered on them? thanks

 

[SkiFletch]

Aquarium corals : selection, husbandry, and natural history / Eric H. Borneman ; with a foreword by

The conscientious marine aquarist : a commonsense handbook for successful saltwater hobbyists / Robe

Best two right here

 

[atmmachine816]

LOL ya, got those from here. Unfortunately they aren't due back till march 15 and there the only ones like that too. The rest my library in my city has so I can get them in a day or two, the two good ones I need to wait until they are returned and then shipped over to my library.

Skifletch do you know if those books contain information on refugiums?

thanks

 

[SkiFletch]

To be honest, its been so long since I've read them I wouldn't be able to tell you