Some what new i need help

Novice101 · 06/11/2010, 05:50 PM

Hi im 15 and ive just started a29g tank i need your help.i would like to start a reef after my tank is done cycling i know wat type of light to get and stuff i just need some feedback from some expierced people on what are some requirements please post back soon cant wait to get your feedback!!!!!!

costellow · 06/11/2010, 06:06 PM

I'm assuming you are cycling with live rock.

spooda420 · 06/11/2010, 06:23 PM

tell us what you are interested in keeping... fish only? corals? sps?lps? softies? you need to give us as much info you can about your tank what kind of equipment you have, budget for tank will also help.

i would highly suggest not being in a hurry, go slow, and read everything, also check out wetwebmedia.com

Novice101 · 06/11/2010, 08:21 PM

Ok i have a 75g filter for good filtrAtion/ for water flow. I have a heater duh. I do have live rock and 2 damsels becuz the guy at my lps said that they help go thru the cycle.And yes i want fish corals and uhm wats sps and softies mean?

Novice101 · 06/11/2010, 08:30 PM

O i do want polyps too and i would love to have some brain corals those are very nice.and does anyone know any websites with some cheap lights for a 29g tank??

Novice101 · 06/11/2010, 08:52 PM

O and i have an old power head too

spooda420 · 06/11/2010, 09:36 PM

wow ok... first Id try to find a saltwater club in your area and join it... well worth the effort.

then get a few books. spend your money researching this hobby before you do anything else. A few good authors are sprung, fenner, calfo. amazon carried their books.

most successful tanks follow several rules.

go slow, match your tank to the habitat your animals come from.

visit our sponsors for any equipment you might need

REEFROOKEE · 06/11/2010, 09:40 PM

slow and steady winds this race! dont rush out and buy any critters or fish till your sure its done cycling!
whats your current water parameter's?

Novice101 · 06/11/2010, 10:46 PM

The parameter is 1.024

REEFROOKEE · 06/11/2010, 11:08 PM

ok thats a good start! is that with a hydrometer or a refractometer?
what about the ammonia PH nitrate nitrite?

Novice101 · 06/11/2010, 11:53 PM

Hydrometer and i took a watersample to a lps and they didnt give me numbers cuz they wer lazy they just checked everything off except nitrite they said that it was a little bit too high

Novice101 · 06/11/2010, 11:58 PM

I thank you guys who r helping me.

spooda420 · 06/12/2010, 06:05 AM

please look into buying this book. read it. this will give you a start. by the time you are done reading it, you'll know the basics.

http://www.amazon.com/Conscientious-.../dp/1890087025

while you already have fish in the tank, please dont forget to do your water changes. 10% weekly. adjust your salinity, temp, pH, Alk, before you add the new saltwater to the tank. you dont want to stess out the fish that are already stressed due to the high nitrites.

where are you located?

coral_killer37 · 06/12/2010, 06:12 AM

I wish I could have gotten started when I was 15. It is great to see the next generation interested in the hobby.

spooda420 · 06/12/2010, 07:12 AM

yeah back when i got started, Al Gore was just inventing the internet... learned alot of expensive lessons.

josh11551 · 06/12/2010, 08:07 AM

im starting a 29 gallon as well and i am 15,too.i have my tank cycled some GSP's,snails hermits, and a 3 striped damsel. these guys aren't kidding when they say go slow!

Novice101 · 06/12/2010, 08:38 AM

I live in indiana and ive had saltwater tanks before i had a 55g with a skimmer,overflow,etc

Novice101 · 06/12/2010, 08:43 AM

It also had ametal halide 500watt,it was somewhat reef i learned about that stuff from my dad but hes gone now,and i just wana make him feel proud knowing that i can maintain a tank without him.

REEFROOKEE · 06/12/2010, 09:17 AM

thats cool! well do it right! and read lots before you take any more steps!
threres a great newbie section with all the info you could ever need!

Novice101 · 06/12/2010, 10:03 AM

Thanks guys im loving all of this feedback keep it coming

Novice101 · 06/12/2010, 10:14 AM

When i get my reef going i rly want to get a colorful mandarain does anyone know any types of mandarian besides blue and green?

josh11551 · 06/12/2010, 10:29 AM

you will need a good supply of copeopods in your tank( normally in with macro in the fuge) to support mandarins

Novice101 · 06/12/2010, 10:33 AM

Yeah id rly love to have those wen i get things up and running those r thee most beautiful fish ever i love them.

GACDIVER · 06/12/2010, 11:39 AM

Its good that your asking lots of questions, but when you ask a question like "whats SPS and softies" that only shows that you need to do lots more research. Rea all that you can and get many opinions from lots of people.

Dont belive everything that everyone tells you. The proof is in the pudding, ask how long they have had the tank up, how much experience they have, success rates ect. MAny people post things that are unique phenomonoms and not the normal way things work. THe more info you can get the better. As some one else said, join your local reef club and go check out as many of the members tanks and set up. Ask them about there maintence regiem and note the differences in filtration and how maintence and filtration is reflected in the quality of the finished display.

Sean

Novice101 · 06/12/2010, 11:44 AM

I rly want too join a reef club but my mom works alot and the closest one is in gary and i rly dont wana ride my bike thru that.so i wouldnt have a ride to it. And can u post some pics of ur tank on here please. And yes im doing a lot of research rite now.

06/11/2010, 05:50 PM	#1
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	Some what new i need help Hi im 15 and ive just started a29g tank i need your help.i would like to start a reef after my tank is done cycling i know wat type of light to get and stuff i just need some feedback from some expierced people on what are some requirements please post back soon cant wait to get your feedback!!!!!!

06/11/2010, 06:23 PM	#3
spooda420 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: O'Fallon MO Posts: 1,688	tell us what you are interested in keeping... fish only? corals? sps?lps? softies? you need to give us as much info you can about your tank what kind of equipment you have, budget for tank will also help. i would highly suggest not being in a hurry, go slow, and read everything, also check out wetwebmedia.com __________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 250g, 150g sump, H&S 250x2 1260s, T5s, GEO CA reactor, MA Sulfur DeNITRIFIER XL, 300lbs LR, 6" DSB, running ozone, all controlled by the Apex controller.

06/11/2010, 09:36 PM	#7
spooda420 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: O'Fallon MO Posts: 1,688	wow ok... first Id try to find a saltwater club in your area and join it... well worth the effort. then get a few books. spend your money researching this hobby before you do anything else. A few good authors are sprung, fenner, calfo. amazon carried their books. most successful tanks follow several rules. go slow, match your tank to the habitat your animals come from. visit our sponsors for any equipment you might need __________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 250g, 150g sump, H&S 250x2 1260s, T5s, GEO CA reactor, MA Sulfur DeNITRIFIER XL, 300lbs LR, 6" DSB, running ozone, all controlled by the Apex controller.

06/12/2010, 06:05 AM	#13
spooda420 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: O'Fallon MO Posts: 1,688	please look into buying this book. read it. this will give you a start. by the time you are done reading it, you'll know the basics. http://www.amazon.com/Conscientious-.../dp/1890087025 while you already have fish in the tank, please dont forget to do your water changes. 10% weekly. adjust your salinity, temp, pH, Alk, before you add the new saltwater to the tank. you dont want to stess out the fish that are already stressed due to the high nitrites. where are you located? __________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 250g, 150g sump, H&S 250x2 1260s, T5s, GEO CA reactor, MA Sulfur DeNITRIFIER XL, 300lbs LR, 6" DSB, running ozone, all controlled by the Apex controller.

06/12/2010, 07:12 AM	#15
spooda420 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: O'Fallon MO Posts: 1,688	yeah back when i got started, Al Gore was just inventing the internet... learned alot of expensive lessons. __________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 250g, 150g sump, H&S 250x2 1260s, T5s, GEO CA reactor, MA Sulfur DeNITRIFIER XL, 300lbs LR, 6" DSB, running ozone, all controlled by the Apex controller.

06/11/2010, 06:06 PM	#2
costellow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 231	I'm assuming you are cycling with live rock.

06/11/2010, 08:21 PM	#4
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	Ok i have a 75g filter for good filtrAtion/ for water flow. I have a heater duh. I do have live rock and 2 damsels becuz the guy at my lps said that they help go thru the cycle.And yes i want fish corals and uhm wats sps and softies mean?

06/11/2010, 08:30 PM	#5
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	O i do want polyps too and i would love to have some brain corals those are very nice.and does anyone know any websites with some cheap lights for a 29g tank??

06/11/2010, 08:52 PM	#6
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	O and i have an old power head too

06/11/2010, 09:40 PM	#8
REEFROOKEE Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada Posts: 205	slow and steady winds this race! dont rush out and buy any critters or fish till your sure its done cycling! whats your current water parameter's?

06/11/2010, 10:46 PM	#9
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	The parameter is 1.024

06/11/2010, 11:08 PM	#10
REEFROOKEE Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada Posts: 205	ok thats a good start! is that with a hydrometer or a refractometer? what about the ammonia PH nitrate nitrite?

06/11/2010, 11:53 PM	#11
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	Hydrometer and i took a watersample to a lps and they didnt give me numbers cuz they wer lazy they just checked everything off except nitrite they said that it was a little bit too high

06/11/2010, 11:58 PM	#12
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	I thank you guys who r helping me.

06/12/2010, 06:12 AM	#14
coral_killer37 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: hesperia, ca Posts: 198	I wish I could have gotten started when I was 15. It is great to see the next generation interested in the hobby.

06/12/2010, 08:07 AM	#16
josh11551 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 162	im starting a 29 gallon as well and i am 15,too.i have my tank cycled some GSP's,snails hermits, and a 3 striped damsel. these guys aren't kidding when they say go slow!

06/12/2010, 08:38 AM	#17
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	I live in indiana and ive had saltwater tanks before i had a 55g with a skimmer,overflow,etc

06/12/2010, 08:43 AM	#18
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	It also had ametal halide 500watt,it was somewhat reef i learned about that stuff from my dad but hes gone now,and i just wana make him feel proud knowing that i can maintain a tank without him.

06/12/2010, 09:17 AM	#19
REEFROOKEE Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada Posts: 205	thats cool! well do it right! and read lots before you take any more steps! threres a great newbie section with all the info you could ever need!

06/12/2010, 10:03 AM	#20
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	Thanks guys im loving all of this feedback keep it coming

06/12/2010, 10:14 AM	#21
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	When i get my reef going i rly want to get a colorful mandarain does anyone know any types of mandarian besides blue and green?

06/12/2010, 10:29 AM	#22
josh11551 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 162	you will need a good supply of copeopods in your tank( normally in with macro in the fuge) to support mandarins

06/12/2010, 10:33 AM	#23
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	Yeah id rly love to have those wen i get things up and running those r thee most beautiful fish ever i love them.

06/12/2010, 11:39 AM	#24
GACDIVER Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 153	Its good that your asking lots of questions, but when you ask a question like "whats SPS and softies" that only shows that you need to do lots more research. Rea all that you can and get many opinions from lots of people. Dont belive everything that everyone tells you. The proof is in the pudding, ask how long they have had the tank up, how much experience they have, success rates ect. MAny people post things that are unique phenomonoms and not the normal way things work. THe more info you can get the better. As some one else said, join your local reef club and go check out as many of the members tanks and set up. Ask them about there maintence regiem and note the differences in filtration and how maintence and filtration is reflected in the quality of the finished display. Sean

06/12/2010, 11:44 AM	#25
Novice101 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 160	I rly want too join a reef club but my mom works alot and the closest one is in gary and i rly dont wana ride my bike thru that.so i wouldnt have a ride to it. And can u post some pics of ur tank on here please. And yes im doing a lot of research rite now.