New Aquarium Need Help

[svirid]

Good day,

I am new to the site and very new to the marine aquarium, but I always wanted it,
and for the last year was reading lots of books, checking stores and searching the internet,
Finally today I brought my first small aquarium home. Its 28 gal tank. I dont have a picture yet but
I will post it when I am done setting it up.
Of course I got lost a little and would really appreciate if you guys can help me

Tank is 28 gal, i am setting up a marine tank.
I bought
BIO-Wheel Power Filter Penguin 200
100W Heater

I am going to buy

Protein Skimmer - PLEASE HELP ME HERE, DONT KNOW WHICH ONE TO GET
Power Heads (PROBABLY 2 x 600W ?)
Crushed CaribSea Corals
InstantOcean Salt Mix
Cured Live Rocks (CONFUSED HERE, DONT REALLY KNOW WHICH ONES ARE BETTER)

Also I wanted to ask how can I test my tap water in order to use Water Conditioner, or I dont have to use them? I have a regular water tap filter.
I got some samples of conditioners Tetra Aqua Safe and Big Al's Aquarium Water Conditioner, I also got BIO SUPPORT and BIO CLEAN samples, there is so many of these things, I dont really know, SHOULD I JUST USE THEM ALL and buy more?

Thank you guys, really need help here.

 

[Musho3210]

Cured live rock:
A rock that has been taken out of natural reef systems or artificial systems filled with beneficial life. During the shipment to your lfs/online store many things die. This die off results in ammonia-nitrite-nitrate. Cured rock is rock that has already gone through the die off process and when it gets to your tank there shouldnt be the die off. But the problem is it can be 100% cured unless it hasnt been out of the water for 1-2 hours otherwise it would have to go through a curing session. The longer it is out of the water the longer the die off process. Normally when you buy cured rock online or at your lfs it isnt 100% cured, it is more semi-cured. So just in case go through a curing process.

Uncured live rock:
Rock hasnt gone through the die off process so there will be higher levels of ammonia-nitrite-and nitrate. Generally uncured rock has more life than cured rock.

Since you have just started your tank i would go with uncured rock but either one would work. Dont worry about curing it yourself unless you already have an established tank. Just buy the rock and put it in your tank, wait until ammonia and nitrite is gone.

EDIT: forgot to answer your question lol, neither types of live rock is better.

 

[svirid]

Thanks but what do u mean by neither types of live rock is better.

They are not good at all, or its just does not meter I can buy any available in store?

Also what I understand about the reef is that its live rocks and corals on the top of them,
is that a right thinking? I am thinking to have a couple of corals there, do u know id it is hard to keep them?

Thank you.

Cured live rock:
A rock that has been taken out of natural reef systems or artificial systems filled with beneficial life. During the shipment to your lfs/online store many things die. This die off results in ammonia-nitrite-nitrate. Cured rock is rock that has already gone through the die off process and when it gets to your tank there shouldnt be the die off. But the problem is it can be 100% cured unless it hasnt been out of the water for 1-2 hours otherwise it would have to go through a curing session. The longer it is out of the water the longer the die off process. Normally when you buy cured rock online or at your lfs it isnt 100% cured, it is more semi-cured. So just in case go through a curing process.

Uncured live rock:
Rock hasnt gone through the die off process so there will be higher levels of ammonia-nitrite-and nitrate. Generally uncured rock has more life than cured rock.

Since you have just started your tank i would go with uncured rock but either one would work. Dont worry about curing it yourself unless you already have an established tank. Just buy the rock and put it in your tank, wait until ammonia and nitrite is gone.

EDIT: forgot to answer your question lol, neither types of live rock is better.

 

[Musho3210]

neither live rock is better since they each have their pros and cons. Live rock itself is one of the best things you can put in your tank, but the type of live rock (cured or uncured) doesnt matter. Dont worry about those two words when you first set up your tank.

Corals go on top live rock exposed to the light if they are photosynthetic (which most corals are). Some corals are very easy to take care of, others are not so easy.

 

[SkiFletch]

to the marine side of the hobby, Hope you enjoy your stay

Musho gave soem great advice about rock there. Try to aim for about 30lbs of rock you like the looks of and you'll be all set.

You can send the water conditioners back to Big Als, they are un-necessary. You should not however be using tapwater. Tapwater around here (great lakes) is FULL of silicates, phosphates, and nitrates, not to mention high in calcium and alkalinity which may create difficulties with your salt mix. Using tapwater around here, you're asking for an algae bloom in your tank. A much better idea is to get an RO unit to filter your water. Not cheap initially but they last a LONG time.

As for a skimmer, I wouldn't decide on one just yet until you pick out what corals you want. If you're talking easier corals, I wouldn't bother with a skimmer. A skimmer is only really necessary if you're going to grow harder corals

 

[svirid]

Thanks for your reply.

I was going to buy Tunze skimmer but the guys in the store told me that
it wont fit with the lights I have. I found on deltec mce600 that will fit but its $600
before I spend that much money I want to be sure that I really need it.

Your advice is not to go with the skimmer yet and get the RO unit better?

Will I be fine with the Power Filter, 2 heads and heater? Whos gonna do
the skimmer's job then? Sorry for my questions but I just want to understand
how important skimmer in my case.

 

[Musho3210]

in your case, no its not that important cause its a nano tank. If you do weekly 10-15% water changes then that will be fine. Thats why i recommended the RO unit instead of the skimmer

 

[svirid]

Ok I think I am gonna get one RO. Thanks for advice.
Do I still have to attach power filter I have?
http/www.marineland.com/products/consume...nfiltersnew.asp

or just trow it away?

 

[WayneVT08]

No don't throw it away, RO is just a type of water.

 

[Musho3210]

no dont throw it away, just dont use the bio-wheel or the media unless you plan on changing/throughroly washing every day.

 

[svirid]

BIG thank you guys for your help I dont know what I would do without your help.
I will be waiting for my lights to come. (should be soon next week) and finally fill my tank
with a salt water. I would probably buy RO water until my unit arrives.

Thanks again.