Equipment Recomendations For A 50gal

[chrissaysyes]

Nice setup. Dont worry too much about raising your SG just yet. It'll happen naturally through evaporation and you can just mix a batch closer to 1.023 next water change. Dont forget to do FW top offs. I personally dont like using spray bars just because I like my flow more concentrated. Flow bars do however do a nice job on the bottom of the tank, behind the rock work to push out detrius.

 

[sman]

Ok so when topping off use FW but during a water change use SW?

Edit: Also, how much live rock should I get tomorrow? The guy at this fabulous LFS recommended getting some regular dry rock too, how much of that?

 

[Lynden]

The typical recommendation is a pound per gallon, but in reality it depends largely on aesthetics. You should have a fair bit of live rock, and use can use the dry stuff to lift it up.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, ultimately you should have at least 50lbs, maybe even as much as 75lbs of rock total. If you're going FOWLR, I wouldn't hesitate to go with 50/50 LR/BR mix. Should do well for you Ultimately after a year or two the BR will become LR

 

[sman]

Heres what I ended up with, Got another heater, one of my old ones will stay in the tank with the new one (both stealths), giving me 275watts of heat between the 2. A liquid saltwater master test kit, 22lbs of BR and 18lbs of LR. Let me know what you think. Also what is a good glass cleaner to use, meijer natural glass cleaner with vinegar leaves a residue/streaks.

Testing....

Rock pictures

Not sure what the red thing is, but it was only about a pound, and I thought it added character, or something like that

What temp should the tank be at? I have heard anywhere from 74 to 82.

Is there anything else I can do as of now to speed the cycling process?

BTW, I ready to talk about stocking, cleanup crew first right? What should I look into, I really like the cleaner shrimp, and the coral banded shimp, but have no idea on the snails and crabs.

 

[SkiFletch]

As for the cycle, just gotta wait it out

 

[sman]

What about temp tho?

 

[chrissaysyes]

I'd say more like anything between 76-82*F. Its all in personal preference...some people shoot higher, some lower. Reasons for going lower could be climate based...higher could be climate based as well, along with higher temperatures speed up the life of certain parasites...it's all up to you really. The key here is maintaining a stable temperature at whichever 1-2 degree range you choose.

 

[sman]

Update, just checked on the tank, and there seems to be a film like substance at the surface of the water, what gives?

 

[chrissaysyes]

Not enough surface agitation. Put flow on the surface.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yup, always need at least one powerhead/spraybar stirring up the surface of the water to keep it clear. As for temp. In the stupid-cold Buffalo winter, I keep mine at 76-77F (cause keeping it higher costs too much money) and in the stupid-hot Buffalo summer, I keep it at 83 or less.

 

[Lynden]

Actually that film can occur even with adequate surface agitation. I never get it any more but a napkin laid gently on the surface then removed tends to get rid of it, at least temporarily.

 

[sman]

Update: still zeros across the board, no amonia, no nitrites, no nitrates, ph remains about 8.

 

[chrissaysyes]

Actually that film can occur even with adequate surface agitation. I never get it any more but a napkin laid gently on the surface then removed tends to get rid of it, at least temporarily.

That's a neat idea!

 

[sman]

Water seemed to clear up a great deal over the last day, its almost crystal, I actually think it looks clearer than my FW setup?

Good amount of stuff growing on the LR!

Dont know what this is but I thought someone could ID it for me, there are a couple similar to it on the other peice of LR.

Heres the other 2 things similar to the one above.

Lots of growing stuff! Including this grass like stuff all over the LR, guessing its some type of algae.

Day 2 of the shrimp in the tank and still reading zeros, temp 78*, ph ~8.

Comments and suggestions please!