Starting 1st SW Tank... Need Help & Suggestions!

Johnny C · 08/18/2008, 01:01 AM

Hey Everyone...

I'm Jon, 20 years old from Buffalo. Just signed up on the site and referred by Steve "S Helinski." I've never done a saltwater setup and attempting my first tank. Basically what I plan on doing is a setup with a few fish, live rock and some coral. I bought some stuff so far and plan on having everything by mid September to start the cycling process.

What I have so far:
-36 Gallon Bowfront Tank w/ Oak Stand
-Penguin 350 Biowheel Power Filter (350GPH)
-Seaclone 100 Protein Skimmer
-Saltwater Test Kit (tests everything under the sun!)

What I plan on buying this month to finish the supplies:
-Coralife 30'' Power Compact Light w/ Actinic & LED's
-30-40lbs. of Live Rock
-30lb. bag of Crushed Coral
-Hydor Koralia 1 Powerhead (400GPH)
-Salt, Hydrometer, Fish Food, ETC.

Anyways, I've done quite a bit of research and tried to piece together a good setup. I know a lot of you guys are seasoned vets to the hobby, but I'm wondering if I can get some advice/suggestions as to if this specific setup is good (how good) and what I should start my tank off with, both fish and corals? I've been to pretty much all of the local pet stores that offer saltwater stuff and it seems like everyone has something different to say.

Also, if someone could point me in the direction of a website or forum that tells how to start cycling my tank once I get all the equipment?

I know I've provided a plethora of questions, hope I'm not being a neusance! Any help/suggestions would be GREATLY appriciated!

PS- If anyone on here sells stuff locally in Buffalo, let me know because I can imagine you guys have some neat stuff! Thanks

kau_cinta_ku · 08/18/2008, 03:12 AM

here is some good stuff to start reading to get you started.

but glad to have you abord.

here are couple things I would change about your setup.
1. seaclone skimmers are actually fairly junk skimmers but people have made mods to them to make them work a little better.

2. the biowheel, if you get the 40lbs of LR then I would skip using the filter unless you just want to run carbon in it. if yes then take out the bio wheels and clean it weekly or you will start to have nitrate problems.

3. Coralife 30'' Power Compact Light w/ Actinic & LED's, I would skip this and check into a nova T5HO pro unit the T5 bulbs will last 2 times as long and also give you more light.

4. 30lb. bag of Crushed Coral, go with sand instead, crushed coral can cause nitrates if not cleaned regulary.

5. ship the hydrometer and get a refractometer instead, they are much more accurate and will last alot longer.

6. get 2 of the powerheads.

also for local ppl around your area. check here for a club close to you.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumd...s=&forumid=534

kau_cinta_ku · 08/18/2008, 03:24 AM

I forgot the first link sorry, here it is.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1031074

also here is the link for the mods for your skimmer.
http://www.reefcentral.com/diy/seacl...ifications.htm

schang9584 · 08/18/2008, 04:08 AM

I agree with all the above. I have a 24 gallon and I am running a koralia 1, nano, replaced stock pump with a maxijet 1200 and i also have a maxijet 600 in there and the current is not too strong as I have 30lbs of rock in there. fishes seem to like it. crushed coral is to big and waste will get trapped in it easier causing lots of problems.

VacavilleFC3S · 08/18/2008, 05:06 AM

also don't waste your money on buying food, you shouldn't be putting anything you need to feed in it for several months atleast.

1fishkeeper · 08/18/2008, 06:21 AM

Like what was said before skip the PC lighting and get some T5's. I had PC's on my 29gal but then I ended up changing them out for some T5's because alot of the things that I had in there was not getting enough light. But other than that get with some of the local reef clubs that there is around your area and talk to them most of them are really friendly and can help you out every step along the way. Best of luck and welcome to the wonderful world of Reef Keeping.

Johnny C · 08/29/2008, 01:12 AM

bump

reefman2525 · 08/29/2008, 06:12 AM

the hobby is great just listen to these guys and gals spend the money once and get good stuff. In this hobby u usually get what u pay for. check out other members setups that have been in the hobby for awhile. They already went through the trial and error equipment, the stuff they have currently is working the best for them.

08/18/2008, 01:01 AM	#1
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	Starting 1st SW Tank... Need Help & Suggestions! Hey Everyone... I'm Jon, 20 years old from Buffalo. Just signed up on the site and referred by Steve "S Helinski." I've never done a saltwater setup and attempting my first tank. Basically what I plan on doing is a setup with a few fish, live rock and some coral. I bought some stuff so far and plan on having everything by mid September to start the cycling process. What I have so far: -36 Gallon Bowfront Tank w/ Oak Stand -Penguin 350 Biowheel Power Filter (350GPH) -Seaclone 100 Protein Skimmer -Saltwater Test Kit (tests everything under the sun!) What I plan on buying this month to finish the supplies: -Coralife 30'' Power Compact Light w/ Actinic & LED's -30-40lbs. of Live Rock -30lb. bag of Crushed Coral -Hydor Koralia 1 Powerhead (400GPH) -Salt, Hydrometer, Fish Food, ETC. Anyways, I've done quite a bit of research and tried to piece together a good setup. I know a lot of you guys are seasoned vets to the hobby, but I'm wondering if I can get some advice/suggestions as to if this specific setup is good (how good) and what I should start my tank off with, both fish and corals? I've been to pretty much all of the local pet stores that offer saltwater stuff and it seems like everyone has something different to say. Also, if someone could point me in the direction of a website or forum that tells how to start cycling my tank once I get all the equipment? I know I've provided a plethora of questions, hope I'm not being a neusance! Any help/suggestions would be GREATLY appriciated! PS- If anyone on here sells stuff locally in Buffalo, let me know because I can imagine you guys have some neat stuff! Thanks

08/18/2008, 06:21 AM	#6
1fishkeeper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Spanaway, WA Posts: 1,101	Like what was said before skip the PC lighting and get some T5's. I had PC's on my 29gal but then I ended up changing them out for some T5's because alot of the things that I had in there was not getting enough light. But other than that get with some of the local reef clubs that there is around your area and talk to them most of them are really friendly and can help you out every step along the way. Best of luck and welcome to the wonderful world of Reef Keeping. __________________ "You can run but you will only die tired" U.S. Army Snipers

08/29/2008, 01:12 AM	#7
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	bump __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

08/18/2008, 03:12 AM	#2
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	here is some good stuff to start reading to get you started. but glad to have you abord. here are couple things I would change about your setup. 1. seaclone skimmers are actually fairly junk skimmers but people have made mods to them to make them work a little better. 2. the biowheel, if you get the 40lbs of LR then I would skip using the filter unless you just want to run carbon in it. if yes then take out the bio wheels and clean it weekly or you will start to have nitrate problems. 3. Coralife 30'' Power Compact Light w/ Actinic & LED's, I would skip this and check into a nova T5HO pro unit the T5 bulbs will last 2 times as long and also give you more light. 4. 30lb. bag of Crushed Coral, go with sand instead, crushed coral can cause nitrates if not cleaned regulary. 5. ship the hydrometer and get a refractometer instead, they are much more accurate and will last alot longer. 6. get 2 of the powerheads. also for local ppl around your area. check here for a club close to you. http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumd...s=&forumid=534

08/18/2008, 03:24 AM	#3
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	I forgot the first link sorry, here it is. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1031074 also here is the link for the mods for your skimmer. http://www.reefcentral.com/diy/seacl...ifications.htm

08/18/2008, 04:08 AM	#4
schang9584 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Davis Posts: 275	I agree with all the above. I have a 24 gallon and I am running a koralia 1, nano, replaced stock pump with a maxijet 1200 and i also have a maxijet 600 in there and the current is not too strong as I have 30lbs of rock in there. fishes seem to like it. crushed coral is to big and waste will get trapped in it easier causing lots of problems.

08/18/2008, 05:06 AM	#5
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	also don't waste your money on buying food, you shouldn't be putting anything you need to feed in it for several months atleast.

08/29/2008, 06:12 AM	#8
reefman2525 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Farfield County Posts: 183	the hobby is great just listen to these guys and gals spend the money once and get good stuff. In this hobby u usually get what u pay for. check out other members setups that have been in the hobby for awhile. They already went through the trial and error equipment, the stuff they have currently is working the best for them.