Taking the plunge

[bigredspecial]

well, after years of reading anything I could and looking at other people's tanks, I've decided to switch to saltwater myself. I've always wanted to, but couldn't afford it. I still can't, but I'm sick of waiting

I'm going to set up a 10g nano reef. What I'm asking of MFT is a critique of my list.

What I have now:
-Test kits: pH, KH, NH3/NH4, NO2, NO3, PO4
-RO water, air pump(to aerate water for changes), buckets, etc.
-thermometer, 50w heater(poor quality)
-Aquaclear 30 HOB(may use for a fuge, or additional movement, NOT as a filter!)

What I'm buying/ordering:
-Calcium test kit
-10g tank(duh)
-2x 27w CF 6700K bulbs + reflectors
-50w heater(good quality)
-Maxi-jet 900 powerhead(230g/h)
-Aragonite

Keep in mind this it just to get the tank up and running; once everything is stable, I'll add live rock, not before.

That's all I can think of right now. Is there anything I should change or add to the list?

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

looks really good to me you may want a small powerhead cor added movement. when i had my 10 gal, there was a spot i couldnt get, no matter where my powerhead was, so i stuck it along the side to get rid of the dead spot. also, everything should be stable untill you get live rock... i dont think you'll have to wait long to add is since the water isnt going to do much on its own.

 

[Lotus]

Sounds like a good plan so far. Don't forget the salt and hydrometer, and a bucket and spare powerhead to mix up the salt in.

Many people add the sand after the live rock has cured.

 

[bigredspecial]

Oh yeah I forgot salt, duh. I have a twin-output air pump to mix the water and salt.

I have read lots on adding the rock first, but I want to add the sand first to make sure it is rinsed well before rock goes in.

Yahoo, I know what you're saying; I just want to wait untill I can get my pH fairly stable before I add expensive rock to the mix.

 

[Lotus]

On the salt, you'll want to get extra to rinse off the live rock when you get it. It's a good idea to keep extra on hand anyway.

 

[bigredspecial]

I've never heard anything about rinsing live rock... Care to elaborate?

 

[Lotus]

I'm not sure where you're planning to get it, but if you're getting it online, then you will definitely need to rinse it/give it a light scrub to remove dead stuff from the rock. It you plan to get it from the LFS, and it's fully cured, you should probably still dunk it in some clean saltwater to remove debris.

 

[CoolWaters]

I've never heard anything about rinsing live rock... Care to elaborate?

u just get a bucket of water (most of the time saltwater) and u shake the rock in it and dead stuff flys out. sometimes unwated hitchikers too..

u dont need to do all that if u got it straight from the LFS and into your tank within...lets say 20 mins? (of course it must be precured)

 

[bigredspecial]

Oh ok, I gotcha now.

So how does everything look? Anything I should add/delete/ watch out for?

two questions about my equipment: Has anyone heard anything bad about Maxi-jet? And, LFS advises against Instant Ocean/Marineland hydrometers. Any thoughts on that?

 

[CoolWaters]

Instant ocean is a major company that wants money (thats y there so big right now) to sell something that cheap u'll have to cut back on quality...

hydrometers are are not accurate. thats y im buying a refractometer (there like over $50 but try ebay im getting mine for around $20 + shipping

im using instant ocean because i found it at a good price and many people recommended it.

 

[aresgod]

You always have to rinse live rock in salt water...if you rinse it in fresh water you will kill it...

 

[CoolWaters]

i remember when i took a plunge...next thing i knew im $400 short =/
well worth it at the end

 

[bigredspecial]

Just an update, I placed an order tonight:
-Ebo Jager 50w heater
-Maxi-Jet 900 powerhead(230gph)
Plus a few things for my freshwater tank.

I also picked up a calcium test kit at the lfs today; tomorrow I'll pick up the tank and some aragonite.

 

[Fuzz16]

a tip though...dont add up as you go. itll detour you from it.
very expensive hobby and dont experiment with anything, its too expensive too.

 

[TRe]

i remember when i took a plunge...next thing i knew im $400 short =/
well worth it at the end

i remeber when i took the plunge thousands of $ later *crazysmil and im still hooked

 

[bigredspecial]

I know what you mean; A friend and i are running simultaneous projects right now, he's recording the proce, I'm not. He showed me the recipts yesterday, I wanted to cry!


Just got back from the LFS; I bought 11lbs of aragonite and the tank. Let the rinsing begin...

 

[Lotus]

One good thing about saltwater is that it's good to take things slowly. Once you have your initial setup of liverock, sand, powerheads, etc., you can then add equipment slowly. For example, you don't need good lighting while you're cycling and stocking, only when you decide to get corals (which should be in six months or a year).

The one thing that is a lot more than FW are the fish, snails and corals. Again, it's much better for your system to add slowly. Adding new livestock is a once-a-month thing, rather than once a week. I have no idea how much we've spent so far, and we're only just starting out

I always remember what Wayne says about saltwater tanks: "Cheap, easy, successful: pick two."

 

[Lorna]

I think I could feed a small 3rd world country on what I have spent. Just don't tell my husband as I doubt he as actually added things up. I haven't either as I think I am afraid, very very afraid.....

But every cent has been worth it....give or take a few not as brilliant purchases but for the most part researching thoroughly first has saved me a lot of money over the long run. Also not being in a rush and getting inadequate equipment as I was in a rush to do something. As they say "the bitterness of poor quality far outlasts the sweetness of low price" You get what you pay for.

 

[bigredspecial]

Don't worry Lotus, I will take things VERY slowly, and I have patience and poverty to help me out I plan to do exactly that, adding live rock a pound or two at a time. Fish are at least 6 months out, and coral a year or more.

As for equipment, I think I'm good for now. lighting is up to spec - I purposely bought a tank with a double incandescent hood; right now I have 54 watts of 6700k CF lighting, so 5.4 wpg. In the future, I can add a ballast and a single 15" actinic bulb.

 

[CoolWaters]

Don't worry Lotus, I will take things VERY slowly, and I have patience and poverty to help me out

LMAO*laughingc

I plan to do exactly that, adding live rock a pound or two at a time. Fish are at least 6 months out, and coral a year or more.

u could just add all the LR if its a new tank.

[/QUOTE]
As for equipment, I think I'm good for now. lighting is up to spec - I purposely bought a tank with a double incandescent hood; right now I have 54 watts of 6700k CF lighting, so 5.4 wpg. In the future, I can add a ballast and a single 15" actinic bulb.[/QUOTE]

better light for coral later.

once u got HM you'll never go back.