Salt Newbie

[hackmaster]

right i currently have whats in my sig and am keeping it that way i could not bear to part with my beloved's

i have a 2'x1'x1.5' lwh tank with lid and light

i wana go saltie...

now i have little knowledge on the salt side, so bear with me...

i am in no rush to set this up so as long as it takes to build up then so be it....

what i want is a sort of reef setup, with corals and a few fish and boxer shrimp...

so where do i go from here..? what do i need to complete my setup, (remember i'm a fresh fan, not got a clue)
do i need a skimmer? does the live rock work as a filter? do i need a filter? what size power head for current? water? fish ideas? EVERYTHING

thanks if you have the time to reply and the patience to help me through this

simon

 

[hackmaster]

am i in the wrong section or something..?

or does no one have the patience in here

 

[Chris_C]

Hi Hackmaster the site can be abit slow through the day until late on somedays.


Have a read of this post by lewis about starting up


http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/360290-simple-tank-setup-beginners-guide/


Its a good starting place mate if you want to start simple then come back with any other questions you might have


The journals at the top of the forum and very helpful aswell.

 

[hackmaster]

thanks for that i'll get through it now

edit* i've read that

do you need a skimmer and filter then if i'm going for a basic setup..? i thought the live rock was the filter..?

 

[Chris_C]

thanks for that i'll get through it now

edit* i've read that

do you need a skimmer and filter then if i'm going for a basic setup..? i thought the live rock was the filter..?

I'm fairly new to it all myself (9 weeks in)

Live rock is your main filter in your tank and most people tend not to use filters. You can still use them but you need to keep on top of them and keep cleaning them out often so you dont get nitrates building up.

How many litres is your tank?

Have you used any tropical chemicals in it? treating for white spot etc? because copper is really bad in marine tanks.


Skimmer wise your better off waiting for somebody more experienced than me but if your keeping corals then you could do with one really mate.


Hope this helps


Ask away if there is anything i can help with and i will try my best to answer

 

[hackmaster]

the tanks 79l

thanks for the info on the filters i was hoping i didn;t need 1

it has been used for trops but will be thouroughly cleaned with dechlour before hand

i'll wait and see what people have to say about the skimmer and powerhead size and other things i really need to know to setup from scratch

 

[Chris_C]

Powerhead wise you need around x 20 turnover so on your tank you need 1580 litres per hour turnover. Rather than one powerhead it would be better to get 2 800lph powerheads to make more random flow.

Doesn't have to be exactly 1580lph .. more is fine so 2 x 900lph etc.. would be fine also.

 

[hackmaster]

cool so the wave makers would be fine for that then say 1 in each corner...? or would 1 of the twin 1's be ok directed in seperate ways

 

[Chris_C]

These would do the job


http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/HYDOR-KORALIA-NANO-900-LITRES-HOUR-CIRCULATION-PUMP-/300490881158?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item45f6a6f886#ht_2066wt_901


Never used the 2 way ones mate but personally i would say 2 powerheads (one at each end) would be better.

 

[hackmaster]

Yea their the sort I was looking at...

So how do I start it off..?

I'm getting the tank in the morning, what substrate do I use..?
When to add the live rock..?
And do I dose with ammonia to build up the bacteria or what do I do..?

 

[fishy55599]

Yea their the sort I was looking at...

So how do I start it off..?

I'm getting the tank in the morning, what substrate do I use..? argonite sand.
When to add the live rock..? 24 hours after adding the saltwater and it is right sg.
And do I dose with ammonia to build up the bacteria or what do I do..? nope dont do anything just add the rock.

 

[hackmaster]

Perfect thanks for the quick replys

I'll get my shopping list sorted then an work my way through it...

Once I have the rock in when would it be ok to add soft corals and fish..?

 

[fishy55599]

you will need it to cycle first. you will test this using a test kit.
salifert or API is reconmended.
then when results are fine CUC goes in.
the you can add fish and soft corals

 

[hackmaster]

Is it the same as a freshwater test kit ie ammonia nitrate nitrites hardness ph etc

Cool what clean up crew would be ideal..?

Would a shrimp, starfish and maybe urchin and hermits be ok for this..?

 

[fishy55599]

you would need ammonia, nirtite, nitrate and ph. but get marine ones dont go with freshwater.

clean up crew would go something like this-hermits, different types of snails, you can get some shrimp (you should get them after hermits and snails), starfish is a big no as they can starve and die in aquariums from lack off food, tuxedo urchin would be fine.