IF YOU ARE NEW---setting up a tank---

Sk8r · 01/01/2011, 12:46 PM

Do not buy livestock of any kind. ONLY live rock.
Read the sticky entitled HOW TO SET UP A TANK
and the one on NEW FISH PROCEDURE

Marine tanks rely on bacteria which have to be cultured in the tank before the tank will function and support life. Generally physical filters are not needed (except for Fish-only tanks). Do not buy a damsel. Don't buy biological starters (just your live rock is enough: feed it a micropinch of fish food a day, and test daily for ammonia. It will take about 4-8 weeks, depending on the percentage of live rock to dry rock you bought.)

The marine hobby requires an extra tank called a quarantine tank, usually stored away, which is brought into play when you acquire a fish. You set it up with tank water, you have it ready, and your fish lives there for 4 weeks before going into your tank. Never let the water that came with your fish go into your tank. Why? These fish are mostly caught in the ocean, and may come in with parasites (ich) that have a life-cycle like fleas---but are potentially lethal. Once they infest your tank, you have a serious problem. There are also marine diseases that can manifest---many a cinch to treat in a quarantine tank, but with treatments that will kill a living tank. The quarantine tank is bare glass, only a pvc pipe for a hidey-hole, and can be sterilized and cleaned after use. Trust me in this: quarantine your VERY FIRST FISH, because if the parasite gets loose into your tank, it can kill that fish, subsequent fish, and generally be a real discouragement in this hobby.

If you are new, welcome, and remember, nothing good happens fast in this hobby. Take your time, read the stickies, take notes, and check here on whatever people want to sell you. We can often save you lot of money otherwise spent on what you don't need---and prevent trouble.

svenscot · 01/03/2011, 06:54 PM

Thanks for your advice. This is clear and definitive.

ATinPGH · 01/03/2011, 08:30 PM

I've been lurking for several weeks as I gather the equipment and knowledge to venture into this hobby/passion. As always, your posts are informative and insightful.

Thank you for being such a resourceful member to this site.

Aaron

01/01/2011, 12:46 PM	#1
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	IF YOU ARE NEW---setting up a tank--- Do not buy livestock of any kind. ONLY live rock. Read the sticky entitled HOW TO SET UP A TANK and the one on NEW FISH PROCEDURE Marine tanks rely on bacteria which have to be cultured in the tank before the tank will function and support life. Generally physical filters are not needed (except for Fish-only tanks). Do not buy a damsel. Don't buy biological starters (just your live rock is enough: feed it a micropinch of fish food a day, and test daily for ammonia. It will take about 4-8 weeks, depending on the percentage of live rock to dry rock you bought.) The marine hobby requires an extra tank called a quarantine tank, usually stored away, which is brought into play when you acquire a fish. You set it up with tank water, you have it ready, and your fish lives there for 4 weeks before going into your tank. Never let the water that came with your fish go into your tank. Why? These fish are mostly caught in the ocean, and may come in with parasites (ich) that have a life-cycle like fleas---but are potentially lethal. Once they infest your tank, you have a serious problem. There are also marine diseases that can manifest---many a cinch to treat in a quarantine tank, but with treatments that will kill a living tank. The quarantine tank is bare glass, only a pvc pipe for a hidey-hole, and can be sterilized and cleaned after use. Trust me in this: quarantine your VERY FIRST FISH, because if the parasite gets loose into your tank, it can kill that fish, subsequent fish, and generally be a real discouragement in this hobby. If you are new, welcome, and remember, nothing good happens fast in this hobby. Take your time, read the stickies, take notes, and check here on whatever people want to sell you. We can often save you lot of money otherwise spent on what you don't need---and prevent trouble. __________________ 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%.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Setting up a new tank.	ReefFandS	Reef Discussion	5	10/16/2010 06:44 AM
Looking to Purchase Tank/Set Up	215reefone	Delaware Valley Reef Club (DVRC)	2	12/27/2009 11:33 AM
Need Advice - Setting up Refugium before Display tank?	walnutninja	New to the Hobby	0	12/16/2009 06:32 PM

01/03/2011, 06:54 PM	#2
svenscot Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 13	Thanks for your advice. This is clear and definitive.

01/03/2011, 08:30 PM	#3
ATinPGH Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 149	I've been lurking for several weeks as I gather the equipment and knowledge to venture into this hobby/passion. As always, your posts are informative and insightful. Thank you for being such a resourceful member to this site. Aaron