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

[Comic_Reef]

After reading through the full thread, I can relate to some of your mistakes and I would give you the following advice:

#1
I'll sound like a broken record but it cannot be over stated that going slow is crucial. It can take a month to solve a problem in the tank and take a day to cause a problem in the tank. Going slow, doing research and asking question will save you lots of time and $.

#2
Get a skimmer before you consider any kind of coral. Most corals do not tolerate high levels of nitrates very well. While some will thrive in high nitrates, nearly all will lose their beautiful colors when nitrates rise. The beautiful colors you see online or in stores is a direct result of pristine water. A skimmer can help you clean up your water in a big way. Other beneficial side effects is that it will aerate your water which will raise pH.

#3
Hours of research. Literally research each and everything you might want to do or might want to add. Everyone has different experiences and you will get some sound advice on here but you will also get some wrong advice as well (not calling anyone out). This hobby is largely experience based. Some people have success one way, others another way. Live by the mantra that there is always an exception to the rule. I really wanted an Azure Damsel, read 50 posts that they are demons and read 10 that they were peaceful. That was enough validation for me, bought the fish and it killed everything. Again, going back to the slow and steady approach.

#4
Learn what is necessary and what is not for a basic yet successful startup tank. IMO:
Necessary: RODI Water, test kits, skimmer, mechanical filtration (floss), heater, power heads, clean up crew, Auto Top Off
Not Necessary: Sump, Reactors, Dosing Pumps,
Eventually most of the non-necessary stuff will become a want but you dont need them out of the gate. Plenty of people run very basic setups.

 

[Bayareareefer18]

Wow just read this thread. I know lfs are known for poor advice but this is terrible. I am surprised those fish survived after being put into a tank with tap water and no chlorine/chloramine neutralizer. Happy to see they are alive.

I am new to reefing as well making the transfer over from freshwater. I read and read every single day and when I don't have time to read I listen to you tube videos. The BRS160 videos have been invaluable.

I also have learned a lot from other reefers videos on you tube. It's nice to see what others are doing. Their successes and mistakes.

These types of stories are rough but great learning tools for all.

Best thing to keep in mind is time and patience are your friend. Study as much as you can and take things slowly.

Thus forum is a fantastic resource.

Best of luck

 

[Hawkeye16]

Thanks a lot, really appreciate all the advice. Everything seems to be going really well with my tank. I take my water to the lfs a couple times a week for testing and they’ve got everything at near perfect levels they say. I’m dosing stuff to bring up my ph, alkalinity and calcium as well as I’d like to do some lps corals. What skimmer would you recommend for my 46g bowfront? Or I guess I could just see what they have at the store.

 

[Comic_Reef]

Thanks a lot, really appreciate all the advice. Everything seems to be going really well with my tank. I take my water to the lfs a couple times a week for testing and they’ve got everything at near perfect levels they say. I’m dosing stuff to bring up my ph, alkalinity and calcium as well as I’d like to do some lps corals. What skimmer would you recommend for my 46g bowfront? Or I guess I could just see what they have at the store.

Well if your tank isn't plumbed, you're largely going to be looking at hang on back models. Aquamaxx Hob 1.5 seems to be the best in that regards.

You shouldn't need to dose anything for pH. Definitely not a number you should chase. Stability is more important with pH as long as you're not dangerously high or low. I struggled with low pH until I jumped into dosing Kalk in my Ato. Has the benefit of raising Alk, Calc and pH while also automatically replacing evaporating water. Very useful. An airstone can help too. Essentially what you are seeing with low pH is a buildup of CO2 in the water. Disrupting the surface of the water with a power head can also help.