New To Fish Keeping, My Big Journal

[Sharm]

My tank should be here in the morning.

I've just been looking, and this is what I think i'm going to get. Let me know if I should change anything?

D-D Full Size RO Unit (50 US Galls Per Day)
2x Hydor Koralia 1 Circulation Pump 1500lph
D-D Refractometer
TMC V2 Skim 400 Protein Skimmer
Instant Ocean Sea Salt 8kg 240Litres (don't know if this salt is any good or not?)

and test kits, but dont know wheather to get a kit with everything in it or just the stuff I need?

I also know I need to get a second heater, buckets, and a mini powerhead for salt mixing. anything else? Oh and I can't remeber if the tanks comes with a temp guage or not, so that as well if I haven't got one.

 

[Trod]

All sounds good to me
As for test kits I'd start with
Ammonia
Nitrite
NitrAte
PH

These are your basics to start with then as you add stuff you can get the kits you need

 

[Sharm]

All sounds good to me
As for test kits I'd start with
Ammonia
Nitrite
NitrAte
PH

These are your basics to start with then as you add stuff you can get the kits you need

thanks mate, hows this sound?
Interpet Liquid Master Test Kit £15.48
Interpet Liquid Master Test Kit is a comprehensive liquid test kit that allows you to carry out 40 tests each for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH.

 

[rabbut]

I didn't know Interpet did a marine test kit? Just double check it is marine. I use Tetratest for Ammonia, Nitrite and pH, with RedSea for Nitrate and Salifert for everything else

Instant Ocean is OK for Fish Only or soft coral reef systems, but if you plan to have hard corals, you will require supplements for Magnesium and possibly Alkalinity and Calcium to make it good to go. For a hard coral reef, I'd look at Reef Crystals, by the same firm and only fractionally more expensive This said, as with external filters, every keeper has their prefered brand...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Trod]

I think The interpet kits are for freshwater only

I'd recommend Salifert, do a google search and you can get some at pretty good prices

 

[SkiFletch]

TDS meter so you can check RO performance

Also, does that RO unit come with a flush valve/kit? If not, GET ONE as they really improve membrane life

 

[Sharm]

thanks for all the advice. I've just set the tank up and it looks right good. I didnt know but the tank has a little 600l/h with it. If i just get a koralia 2 which is 2300lph, will that be okay?

 

[seffieuk]

thanks for all the advice. I've just set the tank up and it looks right good. I didnt know but the tank has a little 600l/h with it. If i just get a koralia 2 which is 2300lph, will that be okay?

They K2 is what we would have recommended

Seffie x

 

[Sharm]

okay then thanks, I think I'm sorted now, apart from knowing what type of substrate to use? the tank had loads of gravel with it, but is that okay to use with saltwater fish?

 

[Sharm]

Also I know people have suggested a tmc v2 400 skimmer, but is there a skimmer that is fully submergered? I don't really want ot cut a hole in the top off my tank. Just abuse me if thats a stupide question haha

 

[rabbut]

Nope, to work, the skimmer must be at least partly above the water

 

[Sharm]

Nope, to work, the skimmer must be at least partly above the water

hmmm okay then, is there any skimmers that only need to be out of the water by 3"?

 

[rabbut]

Not realy. You need to either go topless, cut the hood or install a sump when running a skimmer...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Sharm]

HI, i'm back. I've been away, that's why there hasn't been any updates. All my equipment is here now,
1 x D-D Full Size RO Unit (50 US Galls Per Day)
1 x D-D Flow Restrictor for 50 US Gallon Per Day Membrane
1 x TMC V2 Skim 400 Protein Skimmer
1 x Hydor Koralia 2 Circulation Pump 2300lph
1 x Red Sea Marine Lab Master Test Kit
1 x Hydor Koralia Nano Circulation Pump 1000lph ( salt mixing )
1 x D-D Refractometer
1 x BiOrb Digital thermometer
1 x Juwel Replacement Heater 100W (spare)
salt

All i need know is live rock, and I want to start the nitrogen cycle this weekend.

 

[rabbut]

Just a heads up, unless you can calibrate them, most digital thermometers are as accurate as guessing the temperature. I'd get a conventional glass stick-in thermometer for the tank if I were you Other than that, looks good