First saltwater tank

reddog170 · 10/05/2008, 09:31 PM

Hello well I am starting my first saltwater tank. I have been into freshwater for some years got out of it for a bit then got back into it. My plan is simple. I want to get it started with live sand then cycle the tank though then add the live rocks and again cycle the tank get it stabilized. Once I feel it has established enough I will then add some clowns and Tangs. Any ideas thoughts opinions or experiences would be good as I am still working on the study and learn part before I do or buy a thing. Thank You, Red

Aquarist007 · 10/05/2008, 09:39 PM

To Reef Central

here is a great thread to start with:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1031074

and you might want to have a glance at the Capn's log book blog:

http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=346

I suggest you not invest in live sand--rather a medium grade argonite---get a cup of sand from the local fish store or a friend--that is all you need to "seed" the argonite with bacteria to start cycling.
I would also suggest that you add live rock and sand together and then let your tank cycle for 4-5 weeks.
Doing it your way only prolongs the waiting time and one become impatient quickly to start adding things

fender4string · 10/05/2008, 09:40 PM

Well, as for advice regarding the tangs, your tank size should be fairly large. Most people that I've talked to on here and most articles that I've read elsewhere suggest that most tang species need a tank that is at least 6 feet in length (the minimum suggested volume for comfort is a 180 gallon). Tangs are aggressive swimmers and also pretty large fish (some species get over a foot) so lots of room is a must . One of the tangs that you can go a little smaller with is a Kole tang. This is one of the fish that I'll be getting whenever it is I set up an 85-90 gallon. This is all research based information (no hands on experience) so make sure you do lots of research on your own and take advice from those more experienced reefers here on RC!

IslandCrow · 10/05/2008, 09:42 PM

My first suggestion would be to read this if you haven't already: http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s...showpage&pid=1

Next, I'd save some money and buy dry sand. Your live rock will seed it in short order. The only way I'd buy live sand is if it came directly from a reef and wasn't some bagged product that most likely doesn't have much life in it anyway. Either way, I don't think there's any reason to wait between adding the sand and the rock. At most, I'd wait for the sand to settle down and the water to clear before adding the rock. Otherwise, there's really no reason to purposely go through two cycles. My only other immediate suggestion would be to research the fish you plan on adding. . .behavior, feeding habits, and most importantly, recommended tank size. Many people who come from fresh water misjudge the amount of space some marine fish require. Tangs are a very good example as most do best in tanks 100g or more.

reddog170 · 10/05/2008, 10:20 PM

Thanks to everyone for your sugestions. I will rethink the tangs I looked at some smaller fish today that i like and bought a couple books. My project that i am getting ready to start right now is building a T5 light into my tank cover. Now I am going to try to post a pic of what I am starting with. Thanks again

10/05/2008, 09:31 PM	#1
reddog170 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winfield, IA Posts: 100	First saltwater tank Hello well I am starting my first saltwater tank. I have been into freshwater for some years got out of it for a bit then got back into it. My plan is simple. I want to get it started with live sand then cycle the tank though then add the live rocks and again cycle the tank get it stabilized. Once I feel it has established enough I will then add some clowns and Tangs. Any ideas thoughts opinions or experiences would be good as I am still working on the study and learn part before I do or buy a thing. Thank You, Red __________________ Life is about the journey not the destination. shaun dunn Current Tank Info: 2-55 gallon tanks

10/05/2008, 09:39 PM	#2
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	*To Reef Central* here is a great thread to start with: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1031074 and you might want to have a glance at the Capn's log book blog: http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=346 I suggest you not invest in live sand--rather a medium grade argonite---get a cup of sand from the local fish store or a friend--that is all you need to "seed" the argonite with bacteria to start cycling. I would also suggest that you add live rock and sand together and then let your tank cycle for 4-5 weeks. Doing it your way only prolongs the waiting time and one become impatient quickly to start adding things __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

10/05/2008, 09:42 PM	#4
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	My first suggestion would be to read this if you haven't already: http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s...showpage&pid=1 Next, I'd save some money and buy dry sand. Your live rock will seed it in short order. The only way I'd buy live sand is if it came directly from a reef and wasn't some bagged product that most likely doesn't have much life in it anyway. Either way, I don't think there's any reason to wait between adding the sand and the rock. At most, I'd wait for the sand to settle down and the water to clear before adding the rock. Otherwise, there's really no reason to purposely go through two cycles. My only other immediate suggestion would be to research the fish you plan on adding. . .behavior, feeding habits, and most importantly, recommended tank size. Many people who come from fresh water misjudge the amount of space some marine fish require. Tangs are a very good example as most do best in tanks 100g or more. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

10/05/2008, 10:20 PM	#5
reddog170 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winfield, IA Posts: 100	Thanks to everyone for your sugestions. I will rethink the tangs I looked at some smaller fish today that i like and bought a couple books. My project that i am getting ready to start right now is building a T5 light into my tank cover. Now I am going to try to post a pic of what I am starting with. Thanks again __________________ Life is about the journey not the destination. shaun dunn Current Tank Info: 2-55 gallon tanks

10/05/2008, 09:40 PM	#3
fender4string Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 1,550	Well, as for advice regarding the tangs, your tank size should be fairly large. Most people that I've talked to on here and most articles that I've read elsewhere suggest that most tang species need a tank that is at least 6 feet in length (the minimum suggested volume for comfort is a 180 gallon). Tangs are aggressive swimmers and also pretty large fish (some species get over a foot) so lots of room is a must . One of the tangs that you can go a little smaller with is a Kole tang. This is one of the fish that I'll be getting whenever it is I set up an 85-90 gallon. This is all research based information (no hands on experience) so make sure you do lots of research on your own and take advice from those more experienced reefers here on RC!