Seeking some advice from experienced reefers.

[szl]

Hi all,

I am brand new to the marine scene. Its been a dream of mine for a long time, and now that I am a little more financially secure I am able to fulfill it.

I am not a complete noob when it comes to fish keeping, I currently have 2 75 gallon FW tanks, I am though a complete noob when it comes to SW.

My current set up looks like this...

Marineland rimless 25 cube.
Aquamaxx HoB-1
Vortech mp10
radion xr15
Eheim Jager 150w.

I plan on keeping a couple of fish, some LPS and SPS corals and some inverts.

So, here are my questions...

1. I have an Aquaclear 70. I was thinking of converting it into a HoB refugium. Good idea or not really needed?

2. What would be ideal placement for the mp10?

3. What is the proper way to set the tank up. As I understand it, put my live rock, then add my substrate, then put my water in.

-Do I mix the water in the tank or do I mix it before I put it in?
-If I mix it before I put it in, what should I use? Im dont want to use anything that might hurt the life in the tank and what would be big enough to hold 25 gallons? I have an old freshwater aquarium that I could use, but I would need to clean it, what would be safe to clean it with?

4. I was told that I should only give my tank an hour of light a day, then a bit more, every 3-4 days. Is this true? If true, is it during the initial cycle of the tank? Or after I add livestock?

5. Do I have any other option to heat my tank than using one of those giant glass tubes? I dont have a sump. Is there a more elegant (preferably hidden) solution to heating the tank, Id like to keep as little as possible in the tank its self.

5. Finally is there anything else that you wish you knew when you were new, that might help me create a successful tank?

Thank you in advance.

[jetfixer100]

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/18057...2#entry2004830

You can mix your water in five gallon buckets that you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes. You should get a few of them, as they are handy for water changes, coral dips, etc.

[Irishman360]

Originally Posted by szl

Hi all,

I am brand new to the marine scene. Its been a dream of mine for a long time, and now that I am a little more financially secure I am able to fulfill it.

I am not a complete noob when it comes to fish keeping, I currently have 2 75 gallon FW tanks, I am though a complete noob when it comes to SW.

My current set up looks like this...

Marineland rimless 25 cube.
Aquamaxx HoB-1
Vortech mp10
radion xr15
Eheim Jager 150w.

I plan on keeping a couple of fish, some LPS and SPS corals and some inverts.

So, here are my questions...

1. I have an Aquaclear 70. I was thinking of converting it into a HoB refugium. Good idea or not really needed? If you want to use it as a biological filter then I wouldn't worry about it to much. In order for the refugium to be really effective it needs to be at least 1/3 of your tank size. If you just want to use it to grow stuff and breed food then go for it.

2. What would be ideal placement for the mp10? Ideal placement would be up high pointing down towards the middle of your tank. Maybe point it towards the glass in order for it to flow all the way around your tank.

3. What is the proper way to set the tank up. As I understand it, put my live rock, then add my substrate, then put my water in. That would be the correct way. I did the opposite; sand, rock then water. I read in the setting up stickies that you should rinse your sand out before you put it in your tank so it doesn't get cloudy real bad when you put the water in it. I didn't rinse mine and took quite a few days for everything to settle. I also just poured it in the tank, maybe using a pump would of helped it not get so cloudy at the start.

-Do I mix the water in the tank or do I mix it before I put it in?
-If I mix it before I put it in, what should I use? Im dont want to use anything that might hurt the life in the tank and what would be big enough to hold 25 gallons? I have an old freshwater aquarium that I could use, but I would need to clean it, what would be safe to clean it with? Either way is fine. I bought my water when I started my tank. One way to do it is get RO water, fill your tank up and then put a half cup of salt (not kitchen salt of course but sea salt) per gallon in the tank until you reach the desired salinity, 1.025 is optimal. A salinity refractomer will be your friend here. Second way is to go to your LFS and buy their premixed salt and put that in your tank. I bought enough Home Depot buckets to haul the water in, then returned it later and kept 3-5 for water changes and misc stuff.

4. I was told that I should only give my tank an hour of light a day, then a bit more, every 3-4 days. Is this true? If true, is it during the initial cycle of the tank? Or after I add livestock? When your tank cycles you don't really need light at all. I didn't get my light in until a month ago roughly. Didn't even have one when I put a CUC in the tank.

5. Do I have any other option to heat my tank than using one of those giant glass tubes? I don't have a sump. Is there a more elegant (preferably hidden) solution to heating the tank, Id like to keep as little as possible in the tank its self. Glass tube is all I know. If you have an overflow area you could put it in there so it is hidden, now that I saw that I might do that lol.

5. Finally is there anything else that you wish you knew when you were new, that might help me create a successful tank? Placement for your tank, Automatic Top Off is your friend, defiantly buy one. Quarantine all fish one thing I have not skipped on, very easy to do once you get it set up.

Use the search bar for this website, it will be your friend. If you can't find the answer or don't understand it ask away. There are no dumb questions here. PM me if needed, I was at the begging not to long ago so I can help if needed.
Thank you in advance.

[thegrun]

1. Yes you can use the Aquaclear as a refugium.
2. I would place it near the middle on the back wall about 1/3 down. Its better to have two pumps so you can get some cross flow, but you'll probably be fine with a single MP-10.
3. I like rock, water then sand, but water, rock and then sand is fine. Be sure to thoroughly wash the sand before you place it in your tank or it will be cloudy for days. You can add fresh ro/di water and then add salt directly in the tank but if you do it this way you need to mix in the salt before you add either the rock or sand.
4. I would run the lights at full duration's from the start, but wait for the cycle to complete before running the lights.
5. You may find the cobalt more to your liking: http://www.marinedepot.com/Cobalt_Aq...FIHTEH-vi.html
6. I would strongly recommend reading through all the articles under the Setting Up: How to sticky at the op of this forum.
Best of luck and welcome to Reef Central!

[mushumatt]

Originally Posted by szl

Hi all,

I am brand new to the marine scene. Its been a dream of mine for a long time, and now that I am a little more financially secure I am able to fulfill it.

I am not a complete noob when it comes to fish keeping, I currently have 2 75 gallon FW tanks, I am though a complete noob when it comes to SW.

My current set up looks like this...

Marineland rimless 25 cube.
Aquamaxx HoB-1
Vortech mp10
radion xr15
Eheim Jager 150w.

I plan on keeping a couple of fish, some LPS and SPS corals and some inverts.

So, here are my questions...

1. I have an Aquaclear 70. I was thinking of converting it into a HoB refugium. Good idea or not really needed?

2. What would be ideal placement for the mp10?

3. What is the proper way to set the tank up. As I understand it, put my live rock, then add my substrate, then put my water in.

-Do I mix the water in the tank or do I mix it before I put it in?
-If I mix it before I put it in, what should I use? Im dont want to use anything that might hurt the life in the tank and what would be big enough to hold 25 gallons? I have an old freshwater aquarium that I could use, but I would need to clean it, what would be safe to clean it with?

4. I was told that I should only give my tank an hour of light a day, then a bit more, every 3-4 days. Is this true? If true, is it during the initial cycle of the tank? Or after I add livestock?

5. Do I have any other option to heat my tank than using one of those giant glass tubes? I dont have a sump. Is there a more elegant (preferably hidden) solution to heating the tank, Id like to keep as little as possible in the tank its self.

5. Finally is there anything else that you wish you knew when you were new, that might help me create a successful tank?

Thank you in advance.

First off you have a great start with quality equipment which is one of the first flaws many new reefers start out with. I would definitely read all of the stickies at the top of this sub forum. They will give you much of the information you are looking for. Have you ever thought about drilling your tank? You could incorporate a sump into your tank and hide your heater and other filtration equipment as well as adding more water volume to your tank.

1.) if you don't have a sump I would definitely convert it into a fuge and out cheato (macro algae) in their.

2.) there is no right or wrong placement for the mp10 it's what works for you. But I would start out with either the back or side of your tank.

3.) you have it correct, aquascape then wash your substrate to get out any dust or such if it's dry then add it to your tank, then finally add your saltwater.

4.) you want to premix your saltwater with ro/di water only. I use 5 gallon containers from lowes or homedepot. You could also get a brute trash can as a mixing station.

As you start your cycle having your lights on for a full photoperiod isn't needed. I personally setup my light cycle and just leave it there. But you don't have to ramp up your lights as your state.

5.) unfortunately no there is no way to heat your tank without a heater.

Starting out, I wish I didn't rush through anything this hobby is all about patience and learning. Read as much as possible and get as many people's opinions as possible. As I stated earlier read the stickies as you will find all your answers there to your questions. Stability is key in reef keeping! Always buy quality equipment as down the line you will upgrade your subpar equipment for the one you initially was going to buy, but from the looks of it you have a great start. I would think about adding another power head to the tank.

[szl]

Thanks for the great replies everyone. I have been reading through lots of material but I find that I end up more confused than when I started as there are so many conflicting opinions.

In regards to substrate, I purchased Arag-alive. The store I purchased it from told me nto to wash it, since its stored in some type of liquid. SHould I ignore them and wash it?

At work we have an RODI setup that my boss allowed me full access to. So water should be no problem.

Would I need a UV sterilizer? Calcium Reactor? Is there any other gear I need before I set everything up?

[jayball]

Originally Posted by szl

Thanks for the great replies everyone. I have been reading through lots of material but I find that I end up more confused than when I started as there are so many conflicting opinions.

In regards to substrate, I purchased Arag-alive. The store I purchased it from told me nto to wash it, since its stored in some type of liquid. SHould I ignore them and wash it?

No, It will be cloudy for a while but the fine silt will settle to the bottom of your sandbed and some will get skimmed out. Unless you want to turn your live sand into dry sand.


Would I need a UV sterilizer?

No

Calcium Reactor?

No, 2-part and / or Kalk will be more cost effective in a tank that size. Not required until corraline or stony corals start growing

Is there any other gear I need before I set everything up?

Set everything up and get the cycle started. You should get an ATO at some point in the near future, keeping salinity stable is very important.

[hotelbravo]

I disagree with the store telling you not to rinse out the sand. sure the sand will have die off if you do but your going to be cycling the tank there is no reason die off will hurt you but the dust may never come out of your tank im still seeing small poofs of the fine silk get sturred up in my tank because I didn't rinse the sand. I wish I would have to get all of that nasty stuff out of there.

[whosurcaddie]

Arag alive wont have the silt of normal aragonite. It will cause some minor clouding but nothing like unwashed dry sand. You will be fine to add it unwashed.

[homer1475]

I disagree with the not washing the sand out.

I started with 40# of aragalive sand, and still to this day when I stir stuff up, or my pumps go full blast, I have a sand storm in my tank. So wish I had found this place sooner, read the stickies, and actually rinsed my sand out.

[whosurcaddie]

Originally Posted by homer1475

I disagree with the not washing the sand out.

I started with 40# of aragalive sand, and still to this day when I stir stuff up, or my pumps go full blast, I have a sand storm in my tank. So wish I had found this place sooner, read the stickies, and actually rinsed my sand out.

What size granual is the sand? Some smaller grain size sand blows around pretty easily.

[hotelbravo]

Originally Posted by whosurcaddie

Arag alive wont have the silt of normal aragonite. It will cause some minor clouding but nothing like unwashed dry sand. You will be fine to add it unwashed.

the sand I used was arag alive sand and its still very cloudy and initially took a few weeks to clear up but when I do anything in the tank the cloudiness comes back for a few days still to this day. I also see cloudiness when my eel digs around in the sand. ive been using the same sand for around a year now.