Bunch of Noob questions

[voldamort]

Hi all, hoping you can help me work through a few of these.

1. Tank: IM Fusion Pro 20, Waterbox 20, Red Sea Nano Max. After doing the math, by the time I add a stand, light, skimmer, ATO to the IM and Waterbox, they are about the same cost as the Red Sea. Leaning towards the Red Sea, thoughts?
2. One thing I like about the IM as lame as it sounds is the line under the logo for the waterline. How do you guys track where the water line should be in your tank?
3. Filter caddy - how often should I be replacing those components?
4. Is there water I can use from the grocery store for top offs? I plan to use pre mixed salt water for water changes.
5. Do you guys keep track of your cleanup crew? For example, if a snail dies somewhere it can’t be seen, should be turning over the tank to get it out?
6. Any tips to keep green hair algae at bay? Had it in my tank years ago, hoping to avoid it this go around.
   
   
7. Would any of these tanks be too loud for a kids room. Getting this tank for the kids, but want to be sure they can still sleep and that it’s not super loud.

 

[sfin52]

Hi all, hoping you can help me work through a few of these.

1. Tank: IM Fusion Pro 20, Waterbox 20, Red Sea Nano Max. After doing the math, by the time I add a stand, light, skimmer, ATO to the IM and Waterbox, they are about the same cost as the Red Sea. Leaning towards the Red Sea, thoughts?
2. One thing I like about the IM as lame as it sounds is the line under the logo for the waterline. How do you guys track where the water line should be in your tank?
3. Filter caddy - how often should I be replacing those components?
4. Is there water I can use from the grocery store for top offs? I plan to use pre mixed salt water for water changes.
5. Do you guys keep track of your cleanup crew? For example, if a snail dies somewhere it can’t be seen, should be turning over the tank to get it out?
6. Any tips to keep green hair algae at bay? Had it in my tank years ago, hoping to avoid it this go around.
   
   
7. Would any of these tanks be too loud for a kids room. Getting this tank for the kids, but want to be sure they can still sleep and that it’s not super loud.

Most tanks end up being white noise. Quiter than a fan.
Why kids room? Why not a place the whole family can enjoy it. A tank out of sight out of mind has a good chance to be neglected.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

2- most people have an ATO (auto top off) that keeps track of the water level and adds water as it evaporates...this helps a lot on keeping parameters stable and is really convenient
4-im sure your LFS also sells RODI water that you can use but I'd really recommend you getting an RODI unit yourself since they're not expensive (Amazon sells a small one called the RO Buddie for like $70 and it gives me 0 TDS every time...no plumbing involved either since it hooks up to your faucet)
5- I try to keep track which shouldn't be too difficult in a 20 but if something disappears I definitely don't resort to turning over the tank to find it since usually it'll show back up in a day or two.
6-most people agree that keeping nutrients such as phosphate and nitrate in check will help reduce algae like green hair algae... primarily just don't overfeed and test for your nitrates and phosphates. As for other types of algae I have a personal feeling that starting with live ocean rock helps reduce certain types new tanks get a lot such as diatoms since the rock is already colonized with so much bacterial diversity.