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KcAQUARIUMS

KcAQUARIUMS

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Hey all! New here and wanted to meet and group with some people on here, I feel like I'm going to be needing some advice on my 30g mixed reef. Going good so far but wanted opinions on the proper amount of circulation. Not sure of that. Since this picture I've added more live rock, 6 blue leg hermits and a waving hand, I almost had a crash, still don't know why. The tank is only over a month old

1478713108363.jpg
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
Welcome to the hobby and R2R!

Did you come from a freshwater background? I just ask because I see a couple of DIY filters going on in your tank, and I used to use filters like those on my FW setups when I was raising fry.

It is a little bit different in saltwater. In FW you want to have a ton of bio, then use massive water changes to export the nitrate. In SW, I think the core is a good skimmer and lots of live rock. The skimmer keeps the water clean, there is not so much of a focus on mechanical or bio filtration. It looks like you have a tank which is not reef ready (drilled for a sump), so adding a heater, quality hang on back skimmer and more live rock would be my recommendation. Keep an eye on the evaporation and make sure you add reverse osmosis water to replace the evaporation. Just from an aesthetic perspective you may want to paint the back of the tank black or blue so you don't see the cords or hoses, not that it will impact the health of your livestock.

That said, it is refreshing seeing someone actually asking the right people before they stock their tank up with a ton of fish :)

You came to the right forum. And you are already in a really cool area with a ton of nice fish stores. Good luck with your new addiction :)
 
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www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
Thanks for the replies, and yes I come from a fw tank background good call. I just can't seem to find an affordable skimmer but I am looking into a HOB, or I'm just going to diy my own. I actually got black background so I wouldn't see the wires but I was debating putting it on because I was playing with the idea of just letting the C algea spread and create a living background. The tank isn't reef ready and drilled because I'm working on converting my 75g into a sw, and have that as my "main" tank. I'll include an updated pic of the 30g and my other 30g, 3g, and 75g. All fresh as of rn
 
Willz also thank you for the quick tips to, general knowledge about sw, and the fact I've been doing plenty of snooping myself online I'm hearing the same thing over and over, which works for me because I have military background and it's good to be reminded what to do right every now and then and not just how to take preventative measures for something going bad
 
AS
And bring back the topic of good LFS, aquarium adventure I would stay away from, and I've been to rivers2reefs recently they seem better. Any other good ones I should check out?
 
KcAQUARIUMS said:
Thanks for the replies, and yes I come from a fw tank background good call. I just can't seem to find an affordable skimmer but I am looking into a HOB, or I'm just going to diy my own. I actually got black background so I wouldn't see the wires but I was debating putting it on because I was playing with the idea of just letting the C algea spread and create a living background. The tank isn't reef ready and drilled because I'm working on converting my 75g into a sw, and have that as my "main" tank. I'll include an updated pic of the 30g and my other 30g, 3g, and 75g. All fresh as of rn
Click to expand...

Be careful, the SW bug is bad, bud. I went from 1000g of FW to 500g of SW in a five years. If you can't afford a new skimmer now, just stay on top of your water changes :) Do you have a RODI unit to purify your mix up water? If not then that will mean trips to the LFS to get it, which adds up quick too!

Also, your waving hand coral is a fairly easy coral, but it will still need some light. What kind of lights do you have?

If you wanted to keep costs down you could always just get a goby and pistol shrimp combo.

Having a new tank is a like a new canvas you can paint however you want to, good stuff!
 
KcAQUARIUMS said:
And bring back the topic of good LFS, aquarium adventure I would stay away from, and I've been to rivers2reefs recently they seem better. Any other good ones I should check out?
Click to expand...

I'm trying to think, I get out there at least once or twice a year. Matt's Corals in Gahanna is a must see. There is another very amazing FW guy that sells this proprietary bio media. He had hundreds of tanks that run off of air only. I can't remember his name, but I went to his house and it blew my mind. I don't live there, so I don't know which ones to stay away from, I just know that they all beat Petco here in my town.
 
Ecoscape Reef Rock
I have the fw aquarium bug but this saltwater version is bad your right. I try to keep up on all my tanks eater changes. And yes I have rodi water and about 20g pre mixed but ran out of salt :/ about my light I have an 18in actinic from LFS, and a full spectrum daylight. Both 18in. I'm actually planning on getting some bulbs (those abi 12 or 24w and doing a diy light) as I already have the fixture all I would need are the bulbs. Since that pic maybe 5lbs of live rock and 6 blue leg hermits where added, all are doing well btw, atleast as far as I can tell. The tank cycled for a month btw
 
Willz said:
I'm trying to think, I get out there at least once or twice a year. Matt's Corals in Gahanna is a must see. There is another very amazing FW guy that sells this proprietary bio media. He had hundreds of tanks that run off of air only. I can't remember his name, but I went to his house and it blew my mind. I don't live there, so I don't know which ones to stay away from, I just know that they all beat Petco here in my town.
Click to expand...
I can believe that. The hobby is heavy in Ohio as far as my experience tells me. I'll have to check that place out, it's the first time I'm hearing of it
 
Good deal, it looked like I saw from blue in the first pic, but wanted to make sure it was a somewhat powerful light since you have a xenia now :)

I kept a low tech, low cost tank going for a while. There are a ton of options. Get a rock going with green star polyps, and some mushrooms and when you stack up a little cash a nice zoa frag.

I'm glad to hear you already have RODI. The next semi pricy thing you'll want is an ATO. Those pay for themselves really quick in the amount of hassle they save you!
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
Willz said:
Good deal, it looked like I saw from blue in the first pic, but wanted to make sure it was a somewhat powerful light since you have a xenia now :)

I kept a low tech, low cost tank going for a while. There are a ton of options. Get a rock going with green star polyps, and some mushrooms and when you stack up a little cash a nice zoa frag.

I'm glad to hear you already have RODI. The next semi pricy thing you'll want is an ATO. Those pay for themselves really quick in the amount of hassle they save you!
Click to expand...
Are pap talking about a refractometer?
 
KcAQUARIUMS said:
Are pap talking about a refractometer?
Click to expand...

Sorry, no a refractometer is a good call too, though. I meant an Automated Top Off system. Check your inbox, I may be able to help you out with some freebie equipment. An ATO senses the level in your aquarium and adds water to keep up with evaporation. As the water evaporates your tank gets "saltier" since the salt doesn't evaporate. So you have to add fresh water to keep the level stable.
 
Ecoscape Reef Rock
Willz said:
Sorry, no a refractometer is a good call too, though. I meant an Automated Top Off system. Check your inbox, I may be able to help you out with some freebie equipment. An ATO senses the level in your aquarium and adds water to keep up with evaporation. As the water evaporates your tank gets "saltier" since the salt doesn't evaporate. So you have to add fresh water to keep the level stable.
Click to expand...
Gotcha, yea I researched after I asked and found what ato stood for immediately. Should've checked first my bad, although I did happen to get a refractometer so we're good there
 
Dan McNertney said:
A little north in Akron, but where abouts in Columbus, I am pretty familiar with that area.
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When it comes to my fish I'm liable to drive very far, but I hang my hat in delaware, OH. I bit north of Columbus and south of Mansfield. Almost right smack dab in the middle
 
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Dinkin's Aquatic Gardens

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%

  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%

  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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