My Salty Adventure

[eltz21]

I have now ordered my new tank. I decided to go with a river reef 94l. It should be delivered during the first 2 weeks of Jan. Getting exciting now.

It is going to be a long slow process until i buy fish for the tank. Money restrictions and I want to make sure everything is right.

Will be asking loads of questions along the way.

 

[seffieuk]

to the salty side

Im looking forward to watching your journey

Seffie x

 

[ben1987]

me too ^

 

[eltz21]

A delay on the tanks delivery due to the snow. so i want to get the tools to get it started straight away.

Am i right in thinking i need the following first

RO Water
Salt
Refractometer
Test Kit

Can anyone recommend a good refractometer and test kit to use.

Do i get the water right before putting the sand and LR in?

Thanks

 

[seffieuk]

A delay on the tanks delivery due to the snow. so i want to get the tools to get it started straight away.

Am i right in thinking i need the following first

RO Water - yes
Salt - yes
Refractometer - yes
Test Kit - yes

Can anyone recommend a good refractometer and test kit to use.

They are much of a much-ness, usually oost around £30 for a refractometer, the test kits, go for salifert - ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to start with
Do i get the water right before putting the sand and LR in?

yes indeed, get the water up to temp and sg, for 24 hours (put the powerhead on) - then in goes the rock (try to transport in water), then the sand

Thanks

seffie x

 

[eltz21]

cheers seffie.

birthday soon so just ordered my refractometer and test kits. cant wait to get started now.

if anybody spots anything i have missed, please let me know.

 

[seffieuk]

What about an algae magnet? Buy a good one, you really do get what you pay for re: mags

Seffie x

 

[aly_starh]

I dont think sand has been mentioned.
its best to get Aragonite Sand

 

[eltz21]

a bit of a silly question probably....

does the water in the tank need to be spot on before adding the live rock, ie nitrites etc. or can i add LR straight away?

 

[aly_starh]

No, just pop in the Live Rock!

(apart from correct temp and salinity being spot on, that is)

 

[eltz21]

thanks for the advice so far.

i dont want to use live sand. any recommendations on other sand to use and how much i would need?

Also is there any specific salt you would recommend? and again how much to buy?

Thanks

 

[ben1987]

any aragonite sand, or cruish coral sand will be fine

as for salt, depends if you want a full on reef. Ive always found D&D h2ocean reasonable - great stuff aswel

 

[eltz21]

Was planning on collecting my tank from the lfs today, but due to the snow they are closed. so saturday is the next chance for a visit.

I have recevied my refractometer and test kits in the post.

I am going to buy the sand, salt and a thermometer when i collect the tank.

on the sunday i will buy and fill the tank with RO water.

Then next weekend i will get my LR. i have found a dealer on fleabay who is close to me selling it for £8 a kilo. can only get there on the weekends so think it will be next weekend rather than rush and mess up this weekend.

I cant wait to get it up and running.

 

[seffieuk]

Exciting - remember everything comes to those who wait, so patience little one

Seffie x

 

[eltz21]

UPDATE

I have set up my tank on the weekend and filled it with ready mixed salt water from the lfs.

sg = 1.027
temp = 24c

I have taken photos of the tank but dont know how to upload them. can anyone help?

thanks