Brand new to this, starting fresh, need help...

[Hawkeye16]

This is our first saltwater aquarium. So far (going off of what the guys at the store told me), here is what I have going on. Btw, this is day 4 of the tank:
- 50g tank with about 25lbs of live rock and 5lbs of dry rock
- Live sand on the bottom
- Filled the tank with tap water, added the sea-salt slowly over 2 days.
- Marineland bio-wheel 200 filter on the back
- A small bottle of enzyme liquid or something they told me to dump in
- 2 clownfish
- Current salinity level is 1.027
Any input on what else I need to do to properly start this tank and do things the right way would be greatly appreciated. Do I need a "skimmer"?, or a heater, or those fans inside the tank? What other levels should I be testing for and what is needed to test for those levels? How do I properly do a water change? Thanks a lot guys, total novice here but my daughter and I are excited as hell

 

[Palyzoa]

Welcome to R2R and the wonderful hobby of reef keeping!

Question, Did you cycle the aquarium? If not you could be cause damage to your fish. There are allot of articles here on how to properly cycle an aquarium.

Yes you need a heater! probably 150w heater with your tank size.

Don't always listen to the people at the store. Always do research before doing anything in this hobby.

Here is a good read about stating a salt water aquarium: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.84/

Don't be afraid to ask questions here! Lots of knowledgable folks that are willing to help.

 

[Hawkeye16]

Thanks for the info. Honestly, I don't know if I've cycled the aquarium. I was just trying to go step by step what I was told from the folks at the store. He definitely wanted me to add 2 clownfish after the tank was set and the salinity was good he said to get proper bacteria or something going? I'm so lost but we'll take it slow and hopefully figure things out. I'll post a couple pics of the tank shortly

 

[Rscott]

wow man
I thought i was a rookie. Please do not put any fish in. You need to do a massive amount of research
Do not listen to LFS. He sold you this stuff and did not even recommend a heater?
WOW

Do yourself a favor, just stop, take a breath, put everything down

You tube is your freind

First watch a video of what the "nitrogen cycle" is

Then watch another and another

I would NEVER fill a tank with tap water. RODI water only or store bought salt water from the LFS

Did you purchase test kits? Do you know what the current water parameters are.

You need to start reading asap. I have been learning and reading about this hobby for a year and still have not pulled the trigger on a tank because there is so much to learn

 

[Mikedawg]

I'd find another LFS first off, then read the above references and go from their. Setting up and cycling a reef tank isn't particularly hard, you just need to be well-informed and patient.
Good luck, it's a great hobby.

 

[JBKReef]

Welcome to the hobby, since no one else has recommended it I would suggest to check out the BRS 160 videos on youtube. It talks you through setting up a reef aquarium step by step, with multiple points of view and ways to do things. THey are in roughtly 15 min episodes so very helpful.

Do you know if the bottle of stuff he gave you that you're calling "enzyme" does it say nitrifying bacteria? Is it called Dr Tims or Bispira?

 

[Rscott]

Welcome to the hobby, since no one else has recommended it I would suggest to check out the BRS 160 videos on youtube. It talks you through setting up a reef aquarium step by step, with multiple points of view and ways to do things. THey are in roughtly 15 min episodes so very helpful.

Do you know if the bottle of stuff he gave you that you're calling "enzyme" does it say nitrifying bacteria? Is it called Dr Tims or Bispira?

Great series of videos
I highly recommend
Also the Tidal Garden videos are awesome as well

 

[Reefer Deez]

Welcome to the hobby, since no one else has recommended it I would suggest to check out the BRS 160 videos on youtube. It talks you through setting up a reef aquarium step by step, with multiple points of view and ways to do things. THey are in roughtly 15 min episodes so very helpful.

Do you know if the bottle of stuff he gave you that you're calling "enzyme" does it say nitrifying bacteria? Is it called Dr Tims or Bispira?

I agree those videos really helped me out. You may have to watch them over a few times as you go along and start to understand New things. Welcome to the hobby and never hesitate to ask for help there are a bunch of kind and helpful people here to help you!

 

[Hawkeye16]

Oh man, sounds like I really jumped the gun on this. Well, here's a pic of my tank attached. I'll be sure to get a 150w heater today. Anything else that is definitely needed immediately or am I going to have to drain this water out and go buy some salt water from the store?

 

[Rscott]

Oh man, sounds like I really jumped the gun on this. Well, here's a pic of my tank attached. I'll be sure to get a 150w heater today. Anything else that is definitely needed immediately or am I going to have to drain this water out and go buy some salt water from the store?

You need to get a heater asap
Someone else can speak to hardiness of clowns but they should be in 75-78 degree F water.
I would be very concerned with their well being right now.

What is the salinity of the water?

 

[Hawkeye16]

Welcome to the hobby, since no one else has recommended it I would suggest to check out the BRS 160 videos on youtube. It talks you through setting up a reef aquarium step by step, with multiple points of view and ways to do things. THey are in roughtly 15 min episodes so very helpful.

Do you know if the bottle of stuff he gave you that you're calling "enzyme" does it say nitrifying bacteria? Is it called Dr Tims or Bispira?

Its called FritzZyme Turbo Start 900 which looks to be a live nitrifying bacteria. I attached a pic

 

[Hawkeye16]

You need to get a heater asap
Someone else can speak to hardiness of clowns but they should be in 75-78 degree F water.
I would be very concerned with their well being right now.

What is the salinity of the water?

Salinity tested at 1.026

 

[JBKReef]

Add the bottle, it will help reduce the ammonia and keep the clowns kicking.

I would suggest finding a source of water as your next step. Either Saltwater from a LFS, or bite the bullet in investing in an RO/DI unit.

Is the store that you purchased everything from the only LFS in your area?

 

[Hawkeye16]

Add the bottle, it will help reduce the ammonia and keep the clowns kicking.

I would suggest finding a source of water as your next step. Either Saltwater from a LFS, or bite the bullet in investing in an RO/DI unit.

Is the store that you purchased everything from the only LFS in your area?

I did add the bottle of the Fritz-Zyme already. Regarding the water, that's by far the closest local store unless I go to a Petco or something, not sure if they even sell saltwater. I was going to get a bottle of "Prime" requested by another member and put that in since I filled the tank with tap water. Or do you think I should drain the tank and buy water?

 

[JBKReef]

Prime will bind anything thats in the water that should be for a period of time, which will give you some time to plan your next move.

I dont think you need to drain it, I feel prime and nitrobac will keep the fish alive for the time being just not optimal.

Petco, even if they do not sell Saltwater might sell RODI water which you can mix with your own salt.

Most people on here will suggest to buy an RO/DI unit to be cost effective in the long run. I dont know how much saltwater costs (I've always used and RO unit) but a 5 gallon a week water change is still 10% for you so it might not be that bad to just buy it after the initial investment.

Up to you and what your budget it and the longevity you think you'll have.

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r first off!! Take a breath....there' no coral just lr and 2 Clowns the water is fine for now but definitely think of investing in Rodi unit. There should be enough bacteria in the bottle and lr to support the clowns.
2 you'l need a heater...depending on where you live or a chiller...try to maintain steady Temps 75_ 79 is good wherever you feel comfortable.
3 read read read... there' tons of info to help u in your saltwater jouney....

 

[Hawkeye16]

Welcome to r2r first off!! Take a breath....there' no coral just lr and 2 Clowns the water is fine for now but definitely think of investing in Rodi unit. There should be enough bacteria in the bottle and lr to support the clowns.
2 you'l need a heater...depending on where you live or a chiller...try to maintain steady Temps 75_ 79 is good wherever you feel comfortable.
3 read read read... there' tons of info to help u in your saltwater jouney....

Thanks or the welcome and reply. I'm going to get a heater shortly to bring the temp up. I'm going to put Prime into the tank for the chlorine issue. I'm ordering some powerheads and that's where I'm at for now. Anything else you'd recommend?

 

[Rscott]

Anything else you'd recommend?

A Refugium
A Carbon Reactor
A GFO setup
A HYRDA 26 HD
A Sump
A Skimmer
A RODI System
A Apex Controller
A Leack detector
A Auto Doser
A wave maker
A tunable manifold

ok... im out of things to list....


Just kidding,

IMHO the heater is first priority then start to learn about tank chemistry.

 

[Mikedawg]

You'll also need test kit(s) for measuring ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, Ph, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium - the first three are necessary to identify where your tank is in the cycling process, and the others for assessing conditions for general health, coral growth, etc. The API kits are okay and inexpensive and are readily available. Right now you probably want to focus on readings for ammonia to make sure it doesn't get too high. The above articles/videos on cycling will give you good guidelines for controlling water parameters and explain what to expect in terms of water chemistry and fish/coral health going forward.
Sounds like the worst is over and you've officially joined the club; good luck.

 

[paul barker]

No tap water RODI WATER tap water bad