Advice on my 20 Gallon Saltwater fish tank i just received for free??

OttoTheOrange · 11/27/2012, 07:29 PM

I recently expressed interest in acquiring a saltwater fish tank and a good friend of mine just happens to know someone that can no longer care for their aquarium. I only have the pictures my friend sent me via email and have not seen it in person or ever owned a aquarium. So I am reaching out to this site for help! The aquarium is approx. 13 miles away from where I live, completely flat roads, and should be a smooth ride as I plan to move it on a saturday or sunday. The aquarium has two clown fish and a sea urchin and various crabs and baby star fish you will see in the photos. I am looking for advice on how to move it, clean it, any advice on stabilizing it, and any advice in general to make their lives happy. I am also looking for anyone to point out what else is in it and other living things i have as i dont know anything else about whats in it. Also I am looking for someone to tell me how much they think this setup is worth? I want to express some sort of gratitude to the person as they are having financial problems and honestly dont know how much to give her. Here are the pictures and thanks for the help!

~ Otto

AirportFF · 11/27/2012, 07:52 PM

My advice......get a bigger tank. You'll do it eventually anyhow.

OttoTheOrange · 11/27/2012, 07:58 PM

I know, right! For my first one I think this is just perfect, free is free lol I will eventually get a bigger one though.

AirportFF · 11/27/2012, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OttoTheOrange

I know, right! For my first one I think this is just perfect, free is free lol I will eventually get a bigger one though.

Doesn't get any better than free

Bike2k · 11/27/2012, 08:45 PM

That is unless it is big and free...

FTDelta · 11/27/2012, 10:31 PM

Are you in Syracuse, NY?

chrisfont23 · 11/28/2012, 12:49 AM

Yes - have patience. Welcome aboard

OttoTheOrange · 11/28/2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTDelta

Are you in Syracuse, NY?

I am originally from Syracuse, I currently live in Tampa..

mgargiullo · 11/28/2012, 06:58 AM

Welcome... To answer the move question... I've had success doing it like this.

Use buckets. Grab 5-6 clean 5 gallon buckets. Put the rock in the buckets, cover with water. Put the fish in their own bucket and do the same for any unattached coral. Take as much water out of the tank as possible. The sand is tricky... Not sure how old or deep it is, but the last time I moved a 20, I replaced all the sand (about 1" deep). Your mileage may vary there. I know a bunch of people who have kept the sand bed without issue. Once you get it to the destination, reassemble it and prepare for water changes. You'll want to monitor the water conditions carefully for a while as you'll likely see a mini cycle.

You can do it.

EllieSuz · 11/28/2012, 06:59 AM

There is much to learn and precious little time to do it, my friend. Please begin by reading the permanent threads (stickies) at the top of this forum on starting a new tank. Even though your new tank isn't "new", they contain a lot of information that will assist you. Please don't dismiss this advice. Ours is a wonderful hobby, but it can be technically complicated and you cannot do this without more knowledge. You will need a few containers in which to put the rock, water, and livestock. You cannot carry the tank with water in it, no matter how smooth the ride. Discard the sand in the bottom. Stirring it up will release all kinds of detritus and foul the water. You can get new sand sometime down the road. As to timing, I would find out if the person who owns this will wait another week before you pick it up. You have preparations to make and I don't think you can get it all done in a few days. You've come to the right place for advice, but your questions are so broad, they can't be answered in a short thread.....read, read and then come back with specific questions and we'll be there for you.

Denbf58 · 11/28/2012, 07:14 AM

+1 to that also get your self a bottle of amquel in case ammonia spike do have test kits if not get some

To Reef Central

FTDelta · 11/28/2012, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OttoTheOrange

I am originally from Syracuse, I currently live in Tampa..

Awesome! Another Orangeman fan!

OttoTheOrange · 11/28/2012, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgargiullo

Welcome... To answer the move question... I've had success doing it like this.

Use buckets. Grab 5-6 clean 5 gallon buckets. Put the rock in the buckets, cover with water. Put the fish in their own bucket and do the same for any unattached coral. Take as much water out of the tank as possible. The sand is tricky... Not sure how old or deep it is, but the last time I moved a 20, I replaced all the sand (about 1" deep). Your mileage may vary there. I know a bunch of people who have kept the sand bed without issue. Once you get it to the destination, reassemble it and prepare for water changes. You'll want to monitor the water conditions carefully for a while as you'll likely see a mini cycle.

You can do it.

Thanks mgargiullo,

I have been leaning towards replacing the live sand in it. I attached some pictures in the original post, so you guys could see everything that's in it. What is your opinion on the sand? It looks good, but as the old sane goes "looks can be deceiving". I am told the aquarium is at least a year old. As far as placing the fish, should i keep the sea urchin separate from the fish and star fish? Also, what should i do with the baby star fish that are stuck on the side of the aquarium, i would love to have them stay? Could i just drain half the water out of the tank along with the sand and leave the live rock in it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by EllieSuz

There is much to learn and precious little time to do it, my friend. Please begin by reading the permanent threads (stickies) at the top of this forum on starting a new tank. Even though your new tank isn't "new", they contain a lot of information that will assist you. Please don't dismiss this advice. Ours is a wonderful hobby, but it can be technically complicated and you cannot do this without more knowledge. You will need a few containers in which to put the rock, water, and livestock. You cannot carry the tank with water in it, no matter how smooth the ride. Discard the sand in the bottom. Stirring it up will release all kinds of detritus and foul the water. You can get new sand sometime down the road. As to timing, I would find out if the person who owns this will wait another week before you pick it up. You have preparations to make and I don't think you can get it all done in a few days. You've come to the right place for advice, but your questions are so broad, they can't be answered in a short thread.....read, read and then come back with specific questions and we'll be there for you.

Thanks EllieSuz,

I forgot to put in my post about taking suggestions on reading material. Do you have any threads that you would suggest for me? I see you suggested " You can get new sand sometime down the road." Does that mean i should hold off on replacing the sand, i wanted to buy new live sand this Friday? Why should not/replace the live sand? I have been 50/50 to not/do it. The people who keep telling me not to, talk about the bacteria that's established. How long does it take to reestablish if i replace the sand? Also Can you please take a look at this attached picture i put up of the sump tank. It is filthy and i need to know what to do?
[img=http://imageshack.us/a/img827/3059/imag0243eq.th.jpg]

Thanks Guys and everyone else that responded,

Otto

Bike2k · 11/28/2012, 09:44 PM

I grew up in Syracuse, moved to L.I. N.Y. then finally to FLA...Go Orange!

EllieSuz · 11/28/2012, 10:09 PM

Read the threads at the top of this "New to the Hobby" forum. They are written by the most experienced members on Reef Central. Here's the thing about "live" sand that you buy in a bag. It isn't really alive anymore. It sits on a shelf in some warehouse somewhere and then it sits on a shelf at a LFS. You can buy new dry aragonite sand and add it anytime. Then you should get a cup of live sand from someones tank to "seed" the bacteria into your new sand. We prefer to arrange the rock on bare glass and add the sand later. When done this way, if you acquire anything in the future that burrows, it can't topple your rock. Once again, after your reading is done, please ask your questions. Your reading will answer a lot of your questions.

11/27/2012, 07:29 PM	#1
OttoTheOrange Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 4	Advice on my 20 Gallon Saltwater fish tank i just received for free?? I recently expressed interest in acquiring a saltwater fish tank and a good friend of mine just happens to know someone that can no longer care for their aquarium. I only have the pictures my friend sent me via email and have not seen it in person or ever owned a aquarium. So I am reaching out to this site for help! The aquarium is approx. 13 miles away from where I live, completely flat roads, and should be a smooth ride as I plan to move it on a saturday or sunday. The aquarium has two clown fish and a sea urchin and various crabs and baby star fish you will see in the photos. I am looking for advice on how to move it, clean it, any advice on stabilizing it, and any advice in general to make their lives happy. I am also looking for anyone to point out what else is in it and other living things i have as i dont know anything else about whats in it. Also I am looking for someone to tell me how much they think this setup is worth? I want to express some sort of gratitude to the person as they are having financial problems and honestly dont know how much to give her. Here are the pictures and thanks for the help! ~ Otto

11/27/2012, 08:45 PM	#5
Bike2k Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 251	That is unless it is big and free... __________________ Bike2k Water parameters:PH: 8.0, SG:1.025, Ammonia:0, NO2:0, NO3:5, PO4:0.08,dKH:6.2,Ca :375,Mg:1080__75g DT, Solarmax H.O. (2) 54 watt T5 lights & night LEDs, RO NWB-150 skimmer, Eheim 1262 main pum

11/28/2012, 06:58 AM	#9
mgargiullo Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hightstown. NJ Posts: 229	Welcome... To answer the move question... I've had success doing it like this. Use buckets. Grab 5-6 clean 5 gallon buckets. Put the rock in the buckets, cover with water. Put the fish in their own bucket and do the same for any unattached coral. Take as much water out of the tank as possible. The sand is tricky... Not sure how old or deep it is, but the last time I moved a 20, I replaced all the sand (about 1" deep). Your mileage may vary there. I know a bunch of people who have kept the sand bed without issue. Once you get it to the destination, reassemble it and prepare for water changes. You'll want to monitor the water conditions carefully for a while as you'll likely see a mini cycle. You can do it. __________________ People think I'm crazy when I tell them I'm saving my money to buy Rocks and Sand. Current Tank Info: 112g mixed reef, 40g Breeder, 16g Nuvo and 8g Nuvo,

11/28/2012, 06:59 AM	#10
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	There is much to learn and precious little time to do it, my friend. Please begin by reading the permanent threads (stickies) at the top of this forum on starting a new tank. Even though your new tank isn't "new", they contain a lot of information that will assist you. Please don't dismiss this advice. Ours is a wonderful hobby, but it can be technically complicated and you cannot do this without more knowledge. You will need a few containers in which to put the rock, water, and livestock. You cannot carry the tank with water in it, no matter how smooth the ride. Discard the sand in the bottom. Stirring it up will release all kinds of detritus and foul the water. You can get new sand sometime down the road. As to timing, I would find out if the person who owns this will wait another week before you pick it up. You have preparations to make and I don't think you can get it all done in a few days. You've come to the right place for advice, but your questions are so broad, they can't be answered in a short thread.....read, read and then come back with specific questions and we'll be there for you. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

11/28/2012, 07:14 AM	#11
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	+1 to that also get your self a bottle of amquel in case ammonia spike do have test kits if not get some *To Reef Central* __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

11/27/2012, 07:52 PM	#2
AirportFF Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 53	My advice......get a bigger tank. You'll do it eventually anyhow.

11/27/2012, 07:58 PM	#3
OttoTheOrange Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 4	I know, right! For my first one I think this is just perfect, free is free lol I will eventually get a bigger one though.

11/27/2012, 10:31 PM	#6
FTDelta Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central NY Posts: 1,124	Are you in Syracuse, NY?

11/28/2012, 12:49 AM	#7
chrisfont23 Reef Monster Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,343	Yes - have patience. Welcome aboard

11/28/2012, 09:44 PM	#14
Bike2k Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 251	I grew up in Syracuse, moved to L.I. N.Y. then finally to FLA...Go Orange! __________________ Bike2k Water parameters:PH: 8.0, SG:1.025, Ammonia:0, NO2:0, NO3:5, PO4:0.08,dKH:6.2,Ca :375,Mg:1080__75g DT, Solarmax H.O. (2) 54 watt T5 lights & night LEDs, RO NWB-150 skimmer, Eheim 1262 main pum

11/28/2012, 10:09 PM	#15
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	Read the threads at the top of this "New to the Hobby" forum. They are written by the most experienced members on Reef Central. Here's the thing about "live" sand that you buy in a bag. It isn't really alive anymore. It sits on a shelf in some warehouse somewhere and then it sits on a shelf at a LFS. You can buy new dry aragonite sand and add it anytime. Then you should get a cup of live sand from someones tank to "seed" the bacteria into your new sand. We prefer to arrange the rock on bare glass and add the sand later. When done this way, if you acquire anything in the future that burrows, it can't topple your rock. Once again, after your reading is done, please ask your questions. Your reading will answer a lot of your questions. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.