Newbie looking for expert opinions

[gistsc]

I have been reading these forums for about six months now trying to learn the saltwater hobby. I am an experienced freshwater hobbyist with a lean towards the natural methods of fish keeping, i.e. live plants, natural filtration, and geographical likeness in fish species.

Now for what I need opinions on. I inherited a 55 gal saltwater aquarium six months ago. The set up is very poor. The tank has crushed coral bed, one 5 lb live rock, Fiji I believe, a magnum 350 canister filter, one small power head, and 6 fish. Three fish are damsels, two are engineers, and one is a starry blenny. The tank did not look good when I got it, and it looks worse now, six months later. I figured out quickly that the set up was anything but ideal. The tank has issues with multiple types of algae, and on top of everything else, it has started to leak. In the last six months, I have not done much with the tank other than try to keep the pH, temperature, and salinity correct. I also added 20 pink cap snails, and 12 crabs to try and help a little in algae control.

What I would like to know is what you think of my plan to remedy the situation and stay in the saltwater side of the hobby. First, I have a LFS willing to take the fish. I figure no fish, less pollution. Second is to replace the 55 gal tank with a new 29 gal, I know bigger is better, but I am trying to stay within a budget I can afford. My plan for setting up the 29 is to leak check it with tap water for 24 hrs, then empty it and refill with RO/DI water. Install heater and get the water to 78 deg. Add salt to correct levels, and let sit 24 hours. Next, install skimmer. Then, add sand bed with one pound of live sand. Then 30 lbs of live rock. After the rock is set, install the lights (compact florescent). Also forgot about two rotating power heads.

So, am I on the right track?

A few questions.

Is a bad Idea to reuse equipment from the old set up? I.e. heater. It will need to be cleaned up, but it still works.

Should I us the snails and crabs from the old set up, and if so when should they be added?

What is the average price of a gal of RO/DI water?


Well, I know that is a lot. I appreciate any help, and all opinions are welcome. This forum has been a wealth of information for me and I do like to see differing opinions. Thanks

[PatMayo]

YOur on the right track. You can use the heater, clean it well. No need for the magnum 350. The rock will be your filter. You can use the crabs and snails.
Are you putting in cured rock or un-cured rock? If cured you may not have a cycle at all. Wait a couple of weeks just to be sure.
If un-cured rock you will need to let it cycle. Typically 4 to 6 weeks.

Once the tank has cycled you can add the crabs and snails.

Don't know about the water. With a tank that small you can get certified distilled water and it will work just fine.

I would save your money and not buy the live sand. The rock will make the sand live.

Regards,

Pat

[BadOleRoss]

I would change the order in which you set the tank up. Place the rinsed sand in the tank before the water and then slowly add the premixed salt water. Doing it this way you will avoid the a lot of sand storm you will get adding the sand to a tank already filled with water.

[Shagsbeard]

RO/DI salt water costs $1/gal at my LFS. You can get filtered sea water free from many of the universities in California.... UCSB and UCSD for sure, and probably most of the others. You can't beat that if you're going for the "natural" touch. You can make your own RO/DI water for about 30-40 cents a gallon.

I would go with water, then rock, then sand. True you get cloudy water for a couple days, but you have a much steadier base for your rockwork. I wouldn't leak check your tank with tap... no real need. Just have some clean buckets/containers ready to save your water if you detect a leak. I'd go with 20lbs live rock, 20 base rock instead of 30lbs live.

[Joshua1023]

I see your point about putting the water in and mixing it first.For what its worth you can rinse your sand well and put it in the tank around the live rock before you put in any water. I would have 20 gallons of water ready and slowly add it to the tank. Best bet to avoid a sand storm is to put a large bowl in and use a powerhead w/ a hose attached to it and pump the water into the bowl allowing it to spill out into the tank. The sand going in after the rock will help to stabilize things a bit. It will only matter if you plan on getting fish that have tunnelling tendencies.

Also have a plan on what you want to keep before you buy your equipment. If you have your heart set on just a saltwater tank the equipment purchases will be far less costly than if you want a full blown reef tank. I always encourage people to not buy "starter" fish. Instead invest in a good set of test kits like Salifert and learn how to use them. Once you have your water parameters where you want them then start adding things to your tank based on a plan that you researched and have had layed out from the jump. There is alot of good reading material out there based on the natural method of reefkeeping. I found this one to be most helpful.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod...itemKey=213293

[Avi]

I wonder why you want to "leak check" the 29-gallon tank, although there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing that...but IF it's because it's an old or second-hand tank, I'd reseal with fresh silicon.

I'd agree with PatMayo about the live sand. It is, IMO, a waste of money if you do everything else that's suggested. I like the idea of going with more than the 30-pounds of rock...all live if you want to move a bit faster....some base rock if you have a little patience.

Otherwise...you're on the right track and the advice given is good.

[reefworm]

agreed with above inputs. I would target the low 80s for the tank temp.

[gistsc]

Thank you all for your responses. I really want this to go right, so I intend to take my time and do things right the first time.

[Joshua1023]

Thats by far the best way to ensure success. Just keep in mind there are many different oppinions to be found here on RC on each subject. The trick is to find the methods that work for your particular setup. Listen to all the opionions and choose the one that works best for your setup and budget.

[jdm01]

Agree with above. Here in indy i can get premixed salt water for $1 per gal and RO/DI for less than that.