TheSwampFox;4836880; said:
I've never used a sump.... Is it hard to learn how to operate a sump? Also, how does one do water changes? Do I fill a bucket and get the right salinity then put it into the salt water aquarium.
Newbie in need.
- Thread starter Raetak
- Start date
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
I've never used a sump.... Is it hard to learn how to operate a sump? Also, how does one do water changes? Do I fill a bucket and get the right salinity then put it into the salt water aquarium.
Sumps are easy.Raetak;4837106; said:I've never used a sump.... Is it hard to learn how to operate a sump? Also, how does one do water changes? Do I fill a bucket and get the right salinity then put it into the salt water aquarium.
And for mixing salt, that is pretty much it. It is usually best to let it mix with a powerhead circulating it for 24 hours. I have a clean 35 gallon trash can that I use for mixing salt water only. Fill it where it needs to be, dump the salt, drop in two maxijet 1200s, measure the salinity, and leave it to mix for a while.
This sounds scary easy compared to what I've heard. I think the main thing is that I will need to have patience more than anything. I think I'm gonna work it out so I'm using a 75 gallon instead, cause this sounds way to cool to just do a 55.
Which of these salts would be best? http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/fish-supplies/saltwater-aquarium-salt-water-mix/ps/c/3578/4685
I use instant ocean salt, their reef crystals mix is nice if you intend to keep corals. But the base salt mix has a good chemistry and disolves pretty good in water with small amount of precipitant at the bottom after your done. Red sea has come out with a revised mix that is supposed to be good, and so has sea chem. Lots of people praise tropic marin, but im not willing to pay for it...Raetak;4837324; said:This sounds scary easy compared to what I've heard. I think the main thing is that I will need to have patience more than anything. I think I'm gonna work it out so I'm using a 75 gallon instead, cause this sounds way to cool to just do a 55.
One thing I can say about a 75 over a 55 is that making a rock structure will be way easier. Ive setup a 10, 34, 55, 75, and working on a 130, and nothing has made me want to pull my hair out more then stacking rock in a 55.
Heathd;4837429; said:I use instant ocean salt, their reef crystals mix is nice if you intend to keep corals. But the base salt mix has a good chemistry and disolves pretty good in water with small amount of precipitant at the bottom after your done. Red sea has come out with a revised mix that is supposed to be good, and so has sea chem. Lots of people praise tropic marin, but im not willing to pay for it...
One thing I can say about a 75 over a 55 is that making a rock structure will be way easier. Ive setup a 10, 34, 55, 75, and working on a 130, and nothing has made me want to pull my hair out more then stacking rock in a 55.
Alright then I'm glad I'm gonna use the 75. Now what would the best kind of live rock be?
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=393
Which of these would be best? I have read over some other threads and have heard "live sand" is bs. Is LiveAquaria a good source for my corals, plants, fish, and equipment? There really isn't a salt water LFS near my house and this would be easier.
Live sand is BS. Its just dirty water packed sand.Raetak;4843522; said:Alright then I'm glad I'm gonna use the 75. Now what would the best kind of live rock be?
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=393
Which of these would be best? I have read over some other threads and have heard "live sand" is bs. Is LiveAquaria a good source for my corals, plants, fish, and equipment? There really isn't a salt water LFS near my house and this would be easier.
I have ordered equipment though foster and smith and it came in just fine. On some of their items, they are priced competitively and other items they are a little high. Just shop around.
I have heard mixed reviews on their fish and corals. Saltwaterfish.com is a good site and so is bluezooaquatics.com
There are better places to get live rock and sand as far as price goes. Marcorocks.com is qaulity live rock for a good price, and he now sells precured LR. Certainly worth looking into.
I think the cheapest LR I have ever seen was on saltwaterfish.com.
That guy will sell it to you for cheap, and shipping is free on all his LR. Worth looking into just for the shipping I think.
That guy will sell it to you for cheap, and shipping is free on all his LR. Worth looking into just for the shipping I think.
Would this be a decent lighting system?
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+21969&pcatid=21969
I have decided to go with the best rather than going cheap. I plan on doing corals and going 110% on this project. No short cuts.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+21969&pcatid=21969
I have decided to go with the best rather than going cheap. I plan on doing corals and going 110% on this project. No short cuts.
Raetak;4850404; said:Would this be a decent lighting system?
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+21969&pcatid=21969
I have decided to go with the best rather than going cheap. I plan on doing corals and going 110% on this project. No short cuts.
Decent, maybe. It would be adequate for low light corals. Pretty much limited to softies and really low light hard corals.
For example, I have 116 watts of T5's and 130 watts of Power Compacts on my 75 gallon and I consider my lighting to be barely moderate. Metal Halides would be better.
