hi im kody

kody williams · 02/26/2009, 01:11 AM

hi im kody,____ i just registered today, so i dont know what im really doing yet, im 18 yrs old.i live in california.. i work in contruction. right now i have a 55 gallon fresh water tank, it is a cichlid tank and i want to start converting it into a salt water tank by this week.. i have been reading up on it and i understand some of it, and i am aware this can be difficult and expensive so i want to limit my mistakes to none.. i need help on getting familiar with saltwater fish, and how to properly care for them.. i also love to know how to mix your own water, i heard it is some what cheaper.. thank you

vid660 · 02/26/2009, 01:20 AM

Hey Kody, welcome to the forum. I too switched from cichlids to SW a couple of years ago.

Here is some good reading for you:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1031074

My advice is to read, read, then read more. Take your time with SW tanks. Don't rush things. Most of my mistakes were because I just got in a hurry. It's not as hard as most people think it is if you educate yourself. IME, it's actually less work than my cichlids were. (once I got all the equipment for my SW tanks)

Good luck and post back if you have any specific questions.

Johnny C · 02/26/2009, 01:20 AM

Hey Kody... WELCOME TO RC.

Yes, you've got a lot to learn... but you're definatly in the right place. There are a lot of great people here who are more than willing to help you out 24/7!

I could go on forever trying to give you newbie advice, but the best suggestion is to try and read as much as you possibly can. The stickied threads at the top of the forum are a great place to start.

As for mistakes, I have yet to meet one person who hasn't made a few- but then again trial/error plays a HUGE role in the success of some amazing tanks.

Good Luck & Happy Reefing...
You've now entered one hell of a financial pitfall us reefers like to call a hobby!

vid660 · 02/26/2009, 01:26 AM

I'm seeing a trend with the reading advice.

Something else I should add, is there are some very good videos put out by LimpitsReef. Here is a link:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=...ef&view=videos

He does a great job explaining basic stuff like water changes, RO/DI filtration, etc.

Toddrtrex · 02/26/2009, 01:38 AM

To Reef Central

For mixing your own water, this is what I do -- -might not be the best way, but it works for me.

First, I use RO/DI water --- I tend to make it in batches, and store it in 5 gallon containers. Then I will pour one of them into a 5 gallon gallon bucket (( I use an old salt bucket )). Then I will plug in a powerhead and heater. I will then pour in the salt. I use those Solo plastic cups, for me it takes about 2.5 of them.

I let it mix over night, and before I do my water change I check the salinity with my refractometer -- and adjust if needed (( but rarely have too, one advantage of using the same cup for the salt, and same amount of water. Then I do my water change.

dahenley · 02/26/2009, 04:23 PM

Welcome to RC. Im only 8mo. in the hobby and i still have my first tank which is a 55gal. I love it!! My LFS(local fish store) caries premix salt water and ro. I just buy my ro from them right now because its .25c per gal. and thats cheap compaired to 100$ ro/di units. Like they say, read others mistakes and it will save you money in the long run.

02/26/2009, 01:11 AM	#1
kody williams Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: california Posts: 9	hi im kody hi im kody,____ i just registered today, so i dont know what im really doing yet, im 18 yrs old.i live in california.. i work in contruction. right now i have a 55 gallon fresh water tank, it is a cichlid tank and i want to start converting it into a salt water tank by this week.. i have been reading up on it and i understand some of it, and i am aware this can be difficult and expensive so i want to limit my mistakes to none.. i need help on getting familiar with saltwater fish, and how to properly care for them.. i also love to know how to mix your own water, i heard it is some what cheaper.. thank you

02/26/2009, 01:20 AM	#3
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	Hey Kody... WELCOME TO RC. Yes, you've got a lot to learn... but you're definatly in the right place. There are a lot of great people here who are more than willing to help you out 24/7! I could go on forever trying to give you newbie advice, but the best suggestion is to try and read as much as you possibly can. The stickied threads at the top of the forum are a great place to start. As for mistakes, I have yet to meet one person who hasn't made a few- but then again trial/error plays a HUGE role in the success of some amazing tanks. Good Luck & Happy Reefing... You've now entered one hell of a financial pitfall us reefers like to call a hobby! __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau Last edited by Johnny C; 02/26/2009 at 02:00 AM.

02/26/2009, 01:38 AM	#5
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	*To Reef Central* For mixing your own water, this is what I do -- -might not be the best way, but it works for me. First, I use RO/DI water --- I tend to make it in batches, and store it in 5 gallon containers. Then I will pour one of them into a 5 gallon gallon bucket (( I use an old salt bucket )). Then I will plug in a powerhead and heater. I will then pour in the salt. I use those Solo plastic cups, for me it takes about 2.5 of them. I let it mix over night, and before I do my water change I check the salinity with my refractometer -- and adjust if needed (( but rarely have too, one advantage of using the same cup for the salt, and same amount of water. Then I do my water change. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

02/26/2009, 01:20 AM	#2
vid660 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 466	Hey Kody, welcome to the forum. I too switched from cichlids to SW a couple of years ago. Here is some good reading for you: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1031074 My advice is to read, read, then read more. Take your time with SW tanks. Don't rush things. Most of my mistakes were because I just got in a hurry. It's not as hard as most people think it is if you educate yourself. IME, it's actually less work than my cichlids were. (once I got all the equipment for my SW tanks) Good luck and post back if you have any specific questions.

02/26/2009, 01:26 AM	#4
vid660 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 466	I'm seeing a trend with the reading advice. Something else I should add, is there are some very good videos put out by LimpitsReef. Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=...ef&view=videos He does a great job explaining basic stuff like water changes, RO/DI filtration, etc.

02/26/2009, 04:23 PM	#6
dahenley Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 3,165	Welcome to RC. Im only 8mo. in the hobby and i still have my first tank which is a 55gal. I love it!! My LFS(local fish store) caries premix salt water and ro. I just buy my ro from them right now because its .25c per gal. and thats cheap compaired to 100$ ro/di units. Like they say, read others mistakes and it will save you money in the long run.