Does this look like a good setup for a beginner?

ozz.yyy · 04/06/2017, 01:09 AM

I have had a freshwater nano planted tank for about a year, and I want to start a saltwater reef aquarium. Does this setup look ok for me? Or should I change anyting?

IM nuvo fusion 20 aquarium
AI prime HD led lighting
Eheim jager heater
20LB Caribsea liferock
Caribsea live sand
Red Sea coral pro salt
RODI water of course!
Bio spira to help start the cycle
Test kits, refractometers ect

To start cycling, I would add the live rock and sand and also half a cube/ a cube of mysis to provide the bacteria a source of ammonia. After the cycle looks complete, I will add maybe 2 hermit crabs and 2 snails. Does this sound like a good plan for cycling?

My livestock would probably be like this:
1 firefish goby
1 peppermint shrimp
2 ocellaris clownfish or 2 bangai cardinals (aquacultured ones)

After I see good progress with some fish, I will add a tunze 9004 skimmer or similar and then some easy soft/lps corals.

Sound ok? Or should I change anything? Many thanks!

AK707 · 04/06/2017, 01:50 AM

i would pass on the skimmer at first, weekly 5 gal water changes will be more than enough. id spend the $ on an ato, and a media basket. Your going to need a power head also.
Watch the local forums, people are selling lightly used nuvo fusions all the time for cheap

ozz.yyy · 04/06/2017, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK707

i would pass on the skimmer at first, weekly 5 gal water changes will be more than enough. id spend the $ on an ato, and a media basket. Your going to need a power head also.
Watch the local forums, people are selling lightly used nuvo fusions all the time for cheap

Could I upgrade the stock pump and also get some spin stream nozzles instead of power heads? I'm trying to keep as much equipment out if the display as possible.

kmbyrnes · 04/06/2017, 05:35 AM

You will find the power heads necessary to to get the required flow in your tank.
A bigger pump wont get the flow where you need it.
You might also check out using pure ammonia to jump start your cycle.
Good luck and have fun!

ozz.yyy · 04/06/2017, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmbyrnes

You will find the power heads necessary to to get the required flow in your tank.
A bigger pump wont get the flow where you need it.
You might also check out using pure ammonia to jump start your cycle.
Good luck and have fun!

Is it worth investing in expensive ones like correct mp10s or can I buy some cheaper ones like all pond solutions? How many gph/lph would I need?
Thanks

JUNBUG361 · 04/06/2017, 12:29 PM

Reading your notes. Your using live sand & live rocks if that's correct, I personally won't add anything else(bio spira). Some bacteria will die off from live rocks during transport. you'll have enough bacteria to cycle your tank. You can have your skimmer running during the cycle if you choose to, but not necessary. 2 hydro koralia circulations(425 Gph) pumps would be enough(IMO)

04/06/2017, 01:09 AM	#1
ozz.yyy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 3	Does this look like a good setup for a beginner? I have had a freshwater nano planted tank for about a year, and I want to start a saltwater reef aquarium. Does this setup look ok for me? Or should I change anyting? IM nuvo fusion 20 aquarium AI prime HD led lighting Eheim jager heater 20LB Caribsea liferock Caribsea live sand Red Sea coral pro salt RODI water of course! Bio spira to help start the cycle Test kits, refractometers ect To start cycling, I would add the live rock and sand and also half a cube/ a cube of mysis to provide the bacteria a source of ammonia. After the cycle looks complete, I will add maybe 2 hermit crabs and 2 snails. Does this sound like a good plan for cycling? My livestock would probably be like this: 1 firefish goby 1 peppermint shrimp 2 ocellaris clownfish or 2 bangai cardinals (aquacultured ones) After I see good progress with some fish, I will add a tunze 9004 skimmer or similar and then some easy soft/lps corals. Sound ok? Or should I change anything? Many thanks!

04/06/2017, 05:35 AM	#4
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	You will find the power heads necessary to to get the required flow in your tank. A bigger pump wont get the flow where you need it. You might also check out using pure ammonia to jump start your cycle. Good luck and have fun! __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

04/06/2017, 01:50 AM	#2
AK707 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 170	i would pass on the skimmer at first, weekly 5 gal water changes will be more than enough. id spend the $ on an ato, and a media basket. Your going to need a power head also. Watch the local forums, people are selling lightly used nuvo fusions all the time for cheap

04/06/2017, 12:29 PM	#6
JUNBUG361 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Antioch,CALIFORNIA Posts: 1,091	Reading your notes. Your using live sand & live rocks if that's correct, I personally won't add anything else(bio spira). Some bacteria will die off from live rocks during transport. you'll have enough bacteria to cycle your tank. You can have your skimmer running during the cycle if you choose to, but not necessary. 2 hydro koralia circulations(425 Gph) pumps would be enough(IMO)