Help noob convert to salt....

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xinchavoc

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Dec 25, 2010
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I plan on converting to salt this week.... I have a small 30 gallon (30"x12"x20"or21" not sure)
I want to do a FOWLER set up..... So far I have 30 pounds of live sand, A heater, AC50 filter, an AC50 powerhead, lighting..... Anything else I need? I want to set it up tomorow I already have salt mix and a hydrometer....When is it best to add live rock? And what should I stock it with? I was thinking about asome sort dwarf angel and a fire shrimp or something along those lines.. Please give me all your advice and forgive me I am a total noob when it comes to saltwater... Thanks in Advance;)
 
Well your pretty much ready, just add the a nice thin layer of sand then add the rocks...then add more sand to sable to the rock work. After you have built a rock structure that you like and everything is hooked up...you then have to cycle the tank.
 
Pazzoman said:
Well your pretty much ready, just add the a nice thin layer of sand then add the rocks...then add more sand to sable to the rock work. After you have built a rock structure that you like and everything is hooked up...you then have to cycle the tank.
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Do I can add the rock as im setting it up?
 
just got done setting it up.... I guess I didn't rinse the sand well enough the water is really cloudy...How long untill it clears up? Im doing partial water changes to help but I ran out of salt... Should I keep doing water changes or will it clear on its own?
 
Let it clear on it own...

Every hour you will see it clear up little by little in about 24-48 hours it should be completely clear...even if you stir the sand after it clears 100% it will only last a few min.
 
Pazzoman has you on the right track. Pretty sure I'm not as experienced as him in the salt world, but he's saying all the right stuff.

The sand will cloud up your water initially, just give it two to three days to clear. Get ready to rearrange your rock work to the way you like it, though you'll likely not be satisfied with your first, or even second try. I've moved mine around 4 times already, still adding some live rock here and there, and I still don't think I'm done getting it the way I want :ROFL:

From what I'm reading, you're doing good so far. Just keep in mind that, just because you have the water in, doesn't mean your tank is cycled. Best to give it at least a week or two, probably even play it safe and give it three weeks to a month. I was able to add fish to my 55 gallon tank after about 3 and a half weeks, I believe, when my water tested well at my LFS. Just don't rush, patience is key with saltwater :)
 
xRage10 said:
Pazzoman has you on the right track. Pretty sure I'm not as experienced as him in the salt world, but he's saying all the right stuff.

The sand will cloud up your water initially, just give it two to three days to clear. Get ready to rearrange your rock work to the way you like it, though you'll likely not be satisfied with your first, or even second try. I've moved mine around 4 times already, still adding some live rock here and there, and I still don't think I'm done getting it the way I want :ROFL:

From what I'm reading, you're doing good so far. Just keep in mind that, just because you have the water in, doesn't mean your tank is cycled. Best to give it at least a week or two, probably even play it safe and give it three weeks to a month. I was able to add fish to my 55 gallon tank after about 3 and a half weeks, I believe, when my water tested well at my LFS. Just don't rush, patience is key with saltwater :)
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Lmfao thanks..I don't consider myself experience until my tank is filled with corals and on cruise mode if you know what I mean. MFK guided me to what I know now...if I didn't join mfk I'd probably be one of those guys with sting rays in a 40 gallon tank...which I was think about it before I joined lol
 
:ROFL:@Pazzoman

if youre really dying to get fish... go out and get yourself either some chromis or damsels I would say no more than 3... keep your eye on the levels and doing probobly a 10% WC each week (someone step in if I'm wrong). The fish I listed are very cheap, very colorful, and very tough, and are generally used for cycling. Do this until your Levels read out all (0) and youre ready to rock and roll :headbang2.

NOTE: Damsels are aggressive, chromis are not. Depending on what you plan to stock you may want to possibly trade them back in to the LFS for credit towards what you want or use them as snack food lol... And remember not to go stock happy when you are cycled your bioload can really jack up the system. Example 3 Damsels = 6" total, try to stay in that same range dont get a 6" grouper and a 5" trigger... start with one... wait a week (minimum) add the other.

Saltwater keeping is a test of patience but in the end you'll feel more gratified... or like the MAJORITY of us here HUNGER FOR MORE!!! lol

Good luck, safe keeping, and show pictures when you can... always nice :D
 
The bioload inch to inch thing doesnt work as nicely as all that...larger fish are usually messier eaters, messier waste...and for some reason they just give a heavier bioload.

10% h2o changes seem to be common in the reefing world, but what is most important is that you find an water change schedule that complements your tank style and filtration to give you a healthy environment for your animals.
 
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