Starting Out... Again!

[StandbySetting]

The same question could be posed to an online retailer, I went through hell with my Live Rock which came from Charter Aquatics, mine came with Isopods which were killing my fish which is why I gave up.

 

[jlane1980]

Yet another question:

If i intend to use coral sand as my substrate, does this act as a biological filter also? If so, can i reduce the amount of LR i put in?

Also, when i add LR, can i just leave it acting as a filter without adding any livestock, or is it best to add a fish to keep the cycle cycling?

 

[sorgan]

a marine cycle is a funny thing, sometimes it just doesnt happen. LR will provide everything you need to cycle, any die off that happens adds the ammonia you need to get going, also the fact that the rock is packed full of bacteria helps.
please dont add fish untill you are sure the levels are stable as most things (bar damsels) will perish during a cycle.

sand will become live in time but its the very porous nature of the LR that makes it such a great filter, sand beds cycle nitrate a little different but i would say you still need plenty of rock. one thing to be aware of tho is that to much rock is as bad (if not worse) then to little rock, to much rock = to little flow which causes dead spots. LR will be fine in a tank without stock for a good long time.

 

[jlane1980]

Hi,

Finally managed to get my Wife on side, with the Tropical to Marine conversion, yesterday! So, i'm just going to wait a couple of weeks for a Pay Day, and my mission is off! I'm soooo excited!! Sad ain't it?!
I do have a couple more questions, though.

I put an ad in aquarists classified for live rock wanted. I had a reply within half an hour. An email off someone saying that he has loads of live rock available for £6 per kilo, with £10 postage fee! Does this sound like a good deal? Is there anything i should be checking before handing over the money?

My plan is to get 15-20 kg in my tank (130l). From previous posts, i know that this is enough. My worry now, is water movement, should i buy a powerhead? I currently have 2 filters running, the built it trickle filter (720lph) and an Aqua One Aquis 700 (700lph). What kind of water movement should i be aiming for? Bearing in mind, also, my plan to eventually house seahorses.

What could i do with all the tropical Fish i currently have? I'm tempted to give them to the LFS and attempt to get a credit note for future use, but i know they won't give me much for them!

Substrate......! What should i use? I'm tempted to go with the white coral sand, but i'm not too sure, any suggestions?

I have hundred's more questions, but i'll keep them coming in trickles, like this, just so i don't end up with a giant thread, that nobody wants to read!

Peace Out,

Jon

 

[jlane1980]

Also, How much sand should i buy for the substrate? How deep should it be, and how much sand would i need to buy to achieve this?

 

[MrLiam]

The sand bed really depends on what you intend on keeping if you have a jawfish they need 3inches or a goby shrimp pair need 2inches but if your not keeping any fish that bury in the sand bed then I think 1inch-2 would be fine

 

[weezawoo]

With the LR from the guy on aquarist classified, just be wary of it! Personally when I was looking to buy from there I asked to see pictures of his tank and the rock, what his parameters were in the tank, if he ran a phosphate remover (if he hasn't it can cause problems as it leeches from the rock) Also most important is DO NOT pay by a gift! Make sure you pay via normal paypal as otherwise you have no comeback if he doesn't send the rock etc.

Is he delivering himself or posting it?

I would say go with the white coral sand, I have coral sand and it is a lovely colour, not entirely sure its called white but it is very very light!

Not sure on powerheads Im afraid as I know normally it is 20x turnover but don't know how different it is for seahorses!

 

[jlane1980]

With the LR from the guy on aquarist classified, just be wary of it! Personally when I was looking to buy from there I asked to see pictures of his tank and the rock, what his parameters were in the tank, if he ran a phosphate remover (if he hasn't it can cause problems as it leeches from the rock) Also most important is DO NOT pay by a gift! Make sure you pay via normal paypal as otherwise you have no comeback if he doesn't send the rock etc.

Is he delivering himself or posting it?

I would say go with the white coral sand, I have coral sand and it is a lovely colour, not entirely sure its called white but it is very very light!

Not sure on powerheads Im afraid as I know normally it is 20x turnover but don't know how different it is for seahorses!

He's said that he'd post it for £10. TBH, i'm not sure what to do! The last thing i want is to get a whole load of dodgy LR. I hadn't thought of the PayPal thing, though! Good idea, Thank you!
Definitely going for the White Coral Sand.

My LFS has just agreed to take all my fish for £34, although i think i could get a little more, if i speak to the right person! I'll be breaking the tank down this Friday, i think, possibly Saturday, but probably Friday.

My plan, as far as flow and filtration etc is concerned is to not use the built in trickle filter, but to use the Canister i have (Aquis 700). I'll also be getting a powerhead, to give me extra flow. I'm going to work out how big/powerful a powerhead i'll get later. So far i've got 700lph, with just the canister, so that means i need another 1900lph... is that right? I'm basing that on 20X flow.

 

[jlane1980]

I have just started another topic on Salt (Types and Quantities) HERE.

Salt is, i think, the first purchase i'm going to make.

 

[jlane1980]

I put my car in for MOT yesterday, and had a shocking phone call with the cost to get it through!!

So, i'm going to put the breaking the tank down plan on hold for a month. TBH, i'm gutted, i was all excited about doing it straight away! I really wanted to to get the ball rolling.

Oh well! I guess it'll give me another month to plan, get advise, annoy and pester people on here! Especially my new Buddy, Happy George!

 

[jlane1980]

I have just started another topic on Salt (Types and Quantities) HERE.

Salt is, i think, the first purchase i'm going to make.

I think my plan is to go for Red Sea Pro, coral salt., with an extra 10% discount (Thank You, you know who you are!) .

I'm now trying to get my head around RO Units. I think i need to get one, rather than paying for the Water!

Like i said above, though, i guess i'm going to have another month to plan!

 

[seffieuk]

Good choice of salt

Just use the time to research and plan, it will go swifttly and you will be better prepared

Seffie x

 

[jlane1980]

Good choice of salt

Just use the time to research and plan, it will go swifttly and you will be better prepared

Seffie x

Not bl***y swiftly enough! I want to start it now now now !!!

 

[seffieuk]

 

[weezawoo]

Yup good salt

With the RO unit you need to decide how much water you want to produce or how long you are willing to wait for it. I have a 75GPD unit which is pretty good. I got mine from here from the same place in the PM. He is very helpful and my unit is ace. He sells the units cheaper than Osmotics themselves!

I think it is better to make your own water as at least you know it is going to read 0 and should be fine to use! Also invest in either a handheld TDS meter or an inline one on the unit.

I started out just buying bargains before I even had the tank, good things come to those who wait!

And incase you haven't heard it before: Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank