Set up help

Iyaayas · 04/29/2016, 12:16 PM

So I need some help, I just decided to start up a saltwater tank. So recently I bought a 100 gallon tank and stand, protein skimmer rated for 125g, and 5 bags of 20# saltwater white sand. My next step is water, lights, and love rock to start the ecosystem. My question is how much live rock do I actually need and I eventually plan on having coral so what light system should I get? Trying to get the best for the money spent but not wanting to spend entirely way too much money on something I won't actually need. And I'd like to make it somewhat of an exotic tank, maybe a fuzzy dwarf or two.. Also looking into maybe getting a stone fish, but I'd also like to have a few mandarins..any suggestions?

UncleSalt · 04/29/2016, 12:20 PM

Get mostly dry rock. Then get a small live rock and use that to seed the dry rock.

deave · 04/29/2016, 12:25 PM

I agree with the above. Starting with dry rock will assure you that there are no pest or unwanted critters. As for the amount of live rock, this would vary with how many fishes you plan to keep and your filtration. i seen some beautiful tanks with barely any rocks.

Mandarins, IMO, feed on amphipods and copepods. So, I suggest seeding your tank first before getting the fish. A refugium wouldn't be a bad idea.

Iyaayas · 04/29/2016, 12:27 PM

The sand claims to have that already embedded in it. And how do you know when the tank is "seeded".

Bent · 04/29/2016, 12:30 PM

I strongly suggest you read the sticky threads at the top of this page with the red arrow about setting up. Read that first then if you have more follow up questions feel free to ask.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

04/29/2016, 12:16 PM	#1
Iyaayas Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 5	Set up help So I need some help, I just decided to start up a saltwater tank. So recently I bought a 100 gallon tank and stand, protein skimmer rated for 125g, and 5 bags of 20# saltwater white sand. My next step is water, lights, and love rock to start the ecosystem. My question is how much live rock do I actually need and I eventually plan on having coral so what light system should I get? Trying to get the best for the money spent but not wanting to spend entirely way too much money on something I won't actually need. And I'd like to make it somewhat of an exotic tank, maybe a fuzzy dwarf or two.. Also looking into maybe getting a stone fish, but I'd also like to have a few mandarins..any suggestions?

04/29/2016, 12:30 PM	#5
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	I strongly suggest you read the sticky threads at the top of this page with the red arrow about setting up. Read that first then if you have more follow up questions feel free to ask. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074 __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

04/29/2016, 12:20 PM	#2
UncleSalt Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 185	Get mostly dry rock. Then get a small live rock and use that to seed the dry rock.

04/29/2016, 12:25 PM	#3
deave Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Morgan Hill, Ca Posts: 55	I agree with the above. Starting with dry rock will assure you that there are no pest or unwanted critters. As for the amount of live rock, this would vary with how many fishes you plan to keep and your filtration. i seen some beautiful tanks with barely any rocks. Mandarins, IMO, feed on amphipods and copepods. So, I suggest seeding your tank first before getting the fish. A refugium wouldn't be a bad idea.

04/29/2016, 12:27 PM	#4
Iyaayas Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 5	The sand claims to have that already embedded in it. And how do you know when the tank is "seeded".