Opinions - Tank start up necessities

flipstyle72 · 06/26/2014, 11:41 AM

Ok, I'll be filling my tank today and run a leak check, refill with salt water and then load it up with LR and sand from TBS...hopefully early next week. (going on a camping trip this weekend)

going to list what I have already (or ordered) and what I plan on getting. any suggestions on what kind or where to get any of the items, i'd be greatly appreciative!

Have:
50g (cube) SC Aquariums pnp system (includes)
3 camber glass sump (19-3/4"W x 16-1/2"L x 13"H)
One SCA-301 65 Gallon skimmer with PH1100 needle wheel pump.
One PH3000 utility return pump
and all necessary plumbing.

have:
Jebao wavemaker (just 1, should i get another powerhead? or this one enough?)
35g rubbermade container for saltwater reserves (powerhead and heater for this right?)

I already had an RO unit installed by the Kentwood a while back for safe drinking water for the baby, I am assuming this will suffice for making saltwater?

still needing to pickup from LFS or order online today
suggestions for any of the below:

Heater (2?)
thermometer
refractrometer
lights - I was looking at a t5 setup that also includes some LED's.
ATO
water testing kit
qt tank

Up for suggestions:

refugium contents? miracle mud? macro algae, some LR? I've read a lot of different info, but what is experienced suggestions?

My plan, depending how soon after i get package after ordering from TBS is to do the cycle with LR/sand. I have a trip in July so will just let the tank mature before doing anything else. Early August... Once done, i have no plans or ideas what to stock with yet. More than likely will go the coral reef route, but still just focused on getting the tank cycled.

anything i forget or MUST have or can do without for now?

Thanks!!!

p.s. should I wait till fill tank with saltwater till i get my rock/sand in or should i fill at least half way before hand, then aquascape and fill? I know once i have the rock and sand I won't need a full 50g. By my estimate, 35-40g of water.

thegrun · 06/26/2014, 12:20 PM

I would recommend you upgrade your RO system to an RO/DI system. I like a mix of live rock and macro algae in the refugium (no sand or mud). I use one 100watt heater and a second 150 watt heater on my 50 gallon tank.

flipstyle72 · 06/26/2014, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

I would recommend you upgrade your RO system to an RO/DI system. I like a mix of live rock and macro algae in the refugium (no sand or mud). I use one 100watt heater and a second 150 watt heater on my 50 gallon tank.

ah, ok... so the RO system alone wouldn't suffice. ok, lemme research some systems! Thanks

phillrodrigo · 06/26/2014, 05:21 PM

Check the spectrapure 90 god refurb. They are all new units just labeled as returb. Mine came in without a scratch and they have all brand new filters. I got mine for $130 and it's a good name for water purification

flipstyle72 · 06/26/2014, 08:17 PM

Ahhh lol too late! I ordered today.... Spectrepure 90
Jbj ato
Aquaticlife ho t5 w led moonlights
Refractometer

Also picked up a heater, test kit and a water change hose kit today t the lfs.

Tank didn't come in, delivery got held up in TX. Should be here tomorrow or Saturday.

atrox · 06/26/2014, 10:25 PM

Nothing in fuge but live rock rubble, some cheato, and a decent light. Keep the bottom bare as fuge will collect a lot of detritus that will need to be manually removed periodically. Also I had he'll with my jbj ato, sometimes it would work sometimes it wouldn't so I placed it on a timer that turns it on and off every 15 minutes works flawlessly now.

ThreeMoneyJ · 06/27/2014, 11:05 AM

I have the same tank that my GF is currently setting up.

Jebao wavemaker- Get a second one.

35g rubbermade- You will need to heat and mix your water somehow. So yes a heater and powerhead. Or cheap submersible pump then you can attach a hose and pump water to your tank. I use a maxijet mj1200

RO- I would upgrade.

Heater- get two

thermometer- get two as well

refractrometer-just make sure you calibrate it

lights - All personal preference and depends on what you want to keep. I'm using AI Hydra 52

ATO - Don't use the JBJ! It's a terrible system IMO. I've been using the autoaqua smart ATO

water testing kit- Get a high quality kit for the basics at first. Later down the road if you want to test different trace elements you can get kits for those too.

qt tank- Keep it simple.

refugium contents- If you really want to put something in a refugium I would just use LR rubble and no lights. Im not a fan of messing with algae in the sump.

Aquascape- I like to put in a little water, then sand, then about half full water, then rocks, then top off water. You will be splashing water as you are aquascaping. With a full tank that will make a big mess.

It sounds like you are on the right track to get going. The only things I can think of that you may consider are timers for your lights if they are not built in and CA/ALK supplements once you get corals growing.

ReefRehab · 06/27/2014, 12:07 PM

Splitting your heating wattage is always a good plan in case one decides to have "emotional issues". I ran 2 150s on my 55 when I used to have it. Redundancy provides piece of mind in my experience.

MrTuskfish · 06/27/2014, 01:27 PM

Get a QT and use it religiously.

06/26/2014, 11:41 AM	#1
flipstyle72 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Orleans, LA USA Posts: 81	Opinions - Tank start up necessities Ok, I'll be filling my tank today and run a leak check, refill with salt water and then load it up with LR and sand from TBS...hopefully early next week. (going on a camping trip this weekend) going to list what I have already (or ordered) and what I plan on getting. any suggestions on what kind or where to get any of the items, i'd be greatly appreciative! Have: 50g (cube) SC Aquariums pnp system (includes) 3 camber glass sump (19-3/4"W x 16-1/2"L x 13"H) One SCA-301 65 Gallon skimmer with PH1100 needle wheel pump. One PH3000 utility return pump and all necessary plumbing. have: Jebao wavemaker (just 1, should i get another powerhead? or this one enough?) 35g rubbermade container for saltwater reserves (powerhead and heater for this right?) I already had an RO unit installed by the Kentwood a while back for safe drinking water for the baby, I am assuming this will suffice for making saltwater? still needing to pickup from LFS or order online today suggestions for any of the below: Heater (2?) thermometer refractrometer lights - I was looking at a t5 setup that also includes some LED's. ATO water testing kit qt tank Up for suggestions: refugium contents? miracle mud? macro algae, some LR? I've read a lot of different info, but what is experienced suggestions? My plan, depending how soon after i get package after ordering from TBS is to do the cycle with LR/sand. I have a trip in July so will just let the tank mature before doing anything else. Early August... Once done, i have no plans or ideas what to stock with yet. More than likely will go the coral reef route, but still just focused on getting the tank cycled. anything i forget or MUST have or can do without for now? Thanks!!! p.s. should I wait till fill tank with saltwater till i get my rock/sand in or should i fill at least half way before hand, then aquascape and fill? I know once i have the rock and sand I won't need a full 50g. By my estimate, 35-40g of water. Last edited by flipstyle72; 06/26/2014 at 11:49 AM.

06/26/2014, 08:17 PM	#5
flipstyle72 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Orleans, LA USA Posts: 81	Ahhh lol too late! I ordered today.... Spectrepure 90 Jbj ato Aquaticlife ho t5 w led moonlights Refractometer Also picked up a heater, test kit and a water change hose kit today t the lfs. Tank didn't come in, delivery got held up in TX. Should be here tomorrow or Saturday. __________________ that tasted salty.. 50g sqaquariums cube w/ 18.5g sump - 65g skimmer - wavemaker - jbj ato - 24in t5 ho approx. 80lbs lr and 50lbs live sand from tampa bay live rock Current Tank Info: 50g, 18g sump, cycled with tampa bay live rock and sand

06/27/2014, 11:05 AM	#7
ThreeMoneyJ Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 596	I have the same tank that my GF is currently setting up. Jebao wavemaker- Get a second one. 35g rubbermade- You will need to heat and mix your water somehow. So yes a heater and powerhead. Or cheap submersible pump then you can attach a hose and pump water to your tank. I use a maxijet mj1200 RO- I would upgrade. Heater- get two thermometer- get two as well refractrometer-just make sure you calibrate it lights - All personal preference and depends on what you want to keep. I'm using AI Hydra 52 ATO - Don't use the JBJ! It's a terrible system IMO. I've been using the autoaqua smart ATO water testing kit- Get a high quality kit for the basics at first. Later down the road if you want to test different trace elements you can get kits for those too. qt tank- Keep it simple. refugium contents- If you really want to put something in a refugium I would just use LR rubble and no lights. Im not a fan of messing with algae in the sump. Aquascape- I like to put in a little water, then sand, then about half full water, then rocks, then top off water. You will be splashing water as you are aquascaping. With a full tank that will make a big mess. It sounds like you are on the right track to get going. The only things I can think of that you may consider are timers for your lights if they are not built in and CA/ALK supplements once you get corals growing. __________________ -John (threemoneyj is an anagram) -120 mixed reef. 50 cadlights cube. 40B cardinal/dragonet breeding tank/frag tank.

06/27/2014, 01:27 PM	#9
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	Get a QT and use it religiously. __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

06/26/2014, 12:20 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would recommend you upgrade your RO system to an RO/DI system. I like a mix of live rock and macro algae in the refugium (no sand or mud). I use one 100watt heater and a second 150 watt heater on my 50 gallon tank.

06/26/2014, 05:21 PM	#4
phillrodrigo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: quaker hill ct Posts: 2,433	Check the spectrapure 90 god refurb. They are all new units just labeled as returb. Mine came in without a scratch and they have all brand new filters. I got mine for $130 and it's a good name for water purification

06/26/2014, 10:25 PM	#6
atrox Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 574	Nothing in fuge but live rock rubble, some cheato, and a decent light. Keep the bottom bare as fuge will collect a lot of detritus that will need to be manually removed periodically. Also I had he'll with my jbj ato, sometimes it would work sometimes it wouldn't so I placed it on a timer that turns it on and off every 15 minutes works flawlessly now.

06/27/2014, 12:07 PM	#8
ReefRehab Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 15	Splitting your heating wattage is always a good plan in case one decides to have "emotional issues". I ran 2 150s on my 55 when I used to have it. Redundancy provides piece of mind in my experience.