Almost there...

Quickcord · 07/27/2006, 10:06 AM

Hello all.

I am setting up my first saltwater tank and looking for suggestions and/or comments.

Tank-AGA 40 gal breeder
Skimmer-CSS 65
Heater-100w Hydor
Powerheads- Seio M620 x 2
Typhoon III RO/DI system-on order
Tek-36" 4 lamp light kit-getting August
50 lbs LR and 3" sandbed

Still need to paint back of tank-no water in it yet.

Stocking list planned
2-clownfish(after cycle)
cleaner crew
BTA-next summer
Maybe a Goby or Blenny??
Thats it.

Sk8r · 07/27/2006, 10:21 AM

YOu might want 30 more lbs of live rock---depending on how basically heavy and solid your rock is. If porous, ok to go light. Basically you want a good reef shape with flow-through with a top about 8 inches from the surface.

With a good lot of live rock, your tank will stabilize faster and run steadier.

Use your wait during cycling to read up, and get yourself some test kits, a good refractometer, the Salifert tests [my own recommendation] for alk and cal, the strip tests for ammonia and nitrite, and get a log book started as soon as you have water. Test early, test often at first, learn how your tank responds to events, [hence the notebook: don't trust memory] and you'll do well with that setup. I don't know your light kit, but your other stuff is good.

Good luck!

Quickcord · 07/27/2006, 04:53 PM

Thanks Sk8r.
The lights are Tek t5 4x39w with individual reflectors. I have an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater master test kit. I still neeed a refractometer, any recommendations on brand?

07/27/2006, 10:06 AM	#1
Quickcord Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: By the Bay Posts: 296	Almost there... Hello all. I am setting up my first saltwater tank and looking for suggestions and/or comments. Tank-AGA 40 gal breeder Skimmer-CSS 65 Heater-100w Hydor Powerheads- Seio M620 x 2 Typhoon III RO/DI system-on order Tek-36" 4 lamp light kit-getting August 50 lbs LR and 3" sandbed Still need to paint back of tank-no water in it yet. Stocking list planned 2-clownfish(after cycle) cleaner crew BTA-next summer Maybe a Goby or Blenny?? Thats it.

07/27/2006, 10:21 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	YOu might want 30 more lbs of live rock---depending on how basically heavy and solid your rock is. If porous, ok to go light. Basically you want a good reef shape with flow-through with a top about 8 inches from the surface. With a good lot of live rock, your tank will stabilize faster and run steadier. Use your wait during cycling to read up, and get yourself some test kits, a good refractometer, the Salifert tests [my own recommendation] for alk and cal, the strip tests for ammonia and nitrite, and get a log book started as soon as you have water. Test early, test often at first, learn how your tank responds to events, [hence the notebook: don't trust memory] and you'll do well with that setup. I don't know your light kit, but your other stuff is good. Good luck! __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/27/2006, 04:53 PM	#3
Quickcord Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: By the Bay Posts: 296	Thanks Sk8r. The lights are Tek t5 4x39w with individual reflectors. I have an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater master test kit. I still neeed a refractometer, any recommendations on brand?