Few Q's If Sum1 Can Help Me

[typhoon]

okay got it.

so when i first get my LR in and my substrate and water this si not the time to add any coral at all correct? until its matured?

 

[Musho3210]

correct

 

[1entra]

so when i first get my LR in and my substrate and water this is not the time to add any coral at all correct? until its matured?

You will have to wait till both your nitrite and ammonia are 0 before you can really add anything!

Your tank can take months if not years to actually "mature". But dont worry about that yet otherwise it will confuse you. Just take it one step at a time...

 

[timpetty]

okay so live rock is full of bacteria everything thats needed to get going? but then i have to add the "pretty" bright corals etc??

Just keep in mind, you dont HAVE to add corals. They are a living organism to add to your tank just as fish are. Although they have different requirements to survive than fish.

As far as you apologising for asking so many questions... Thats what forums are for. Everything on this site gets feedback/responses which is the point of it all. I have asked many questions and to be honest I really dont know if I could have a tank without all the helpful and knowledgable people on this very site. Keep it up and ask way!!

 

[chrissaysyes]

Definitely go with Mushrooms and Polyps (Zoanthids) as Lynden mentioned. They are VERY forgiving and quite hardy. Not to mention attractive...then you can maybe move on to Ricordea and Palythoa. It's pretty simple all in all...

Live Rock = Rocks that are alive with bacteria.

Corals = Generally just as sensitive as fish so be just as careful with both.

Patience = Most important virtue in this world.

Add your water, add your salt, adjust specific gravity via hydrometer, adjust pH via buffer, adjust temperature via heater/chiller, maintain stable SG, pH, and Temp. Add rocks, add sand, wait for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate to reach zero via test kits, add clean up crew (hermits, snails, etc.), add fish, add corals. Tada, reef

Sounds easy, huh?

 

[Musho3210]

think of fish and corals similar in this context, different species have different care, different hardy levels, different looks, different feeding habits etc etc. Some may be as hardy as a goldfish and breed like rabbits, while others may have extremely limited success. Like with any other thing in your tank, do your research before purchasing.

 

[chrissaysyes]

Right on!

 

[typhoon]

okay i think i get it now u explain it as fish are liek corals it makes more sense thanks alot!

i already keep cichlids ino there different but its kinda the same in thinking cichldis require different to stats to other fish

im gona try order the tank asap

and i do no about waiting for the stats etc to sort themselves and cycle the tank dotn worry i wont jsut chuck a laod of stuff in

no doubt ill ahve mroe to ask soooon!!! xx

 

[typhoon]

what test kits would you recomend i think im ordering from charterwhare house as i can get tank stand rock and substrate from there!

also i need to to where i can order ready mixed water that i can put straight in once its warmed please

 

[Musho3210]

for basic tests, API should do (ammonia, nitrite, pH). For more advanced test, well we need to know what your plans for the tank is first, since you probably wont need a calcium, magnesium etc etc if all you want is a FO tank....

 

[chrissaysyes]

API kits are ok, some people will tell you theyre not always 100%. Salifert is a really good brand maybe you should look into if your budget allows.

 

[Musho3210]

API kits are ok, some people will tell you theyre not always 100%. Salifert is a really good brand maybe you should look into if your budget allows.

i completely agree, but for such basic tests like ammonia, nitrite, and pH, save your money, especially in the ammonia and nitrite criteria.

 

[SkiFletch]

True, you can use API kits, you just have to know their limitations