Complete newbie here...

[S2G]

Welcome. It seems overwhelming but its really not much different than fresh just more expensive. Right now just be patient and let the tank cycle. You don't need a diff test until you get corals.

Quarantine wise a lot of people just proactively treat. I myself do a fw dip and then observe for a few months. Spots, Constantly rubbing on something, swimming erratic, things out of the ordinary. Things can be dormant for wks so that's why you quarantine a month or 2.

 

[MirandaP]

Lot's of options for RO/DI out there. Bulk Reef supply seems highly regarded these days. Realize you will be using this for evaporation makeup as well as water changes. You might want to consider a 50 gallon drum for storage / mixing station.

That is where I have mostly been searching from the recommendations of the guy who set our tank up. I have also looked at liveaquaria, if they're any good? (I like the guys video series on youtube)

 

[lapin]

We are on one of the largest aquifers in the country but our water is extremely hard. Constantly cleaning lime and calcium from it.

DO you use well water or city water?

 

[scottedontknow]

My husband has owned tanks for years but never saltwater. We decided to give it a try after discussions with the local marine aquatic store.

I have been reading books and doing research but still feel overwhelmed. Right now we have a 150 gallon fish tank and just had the aquatic store set us up with the live sand & salt water they make. We got 100lbs of live rock and started the cycling with the fritz turbo start last night. I have a list of things I *think* I should buy to have on hand and want to know others thoughts on if I need these items right away or not.

>api master test kit- should I start testing now and should it be once a week? local store is going to test after 4 weeks

>refractormeter

>ammonica search badge to just place on the tank

>metroplex, kanaplex, any other treatments?

>coppersafe

>prime?

Also, if we start a quarantine tank how do we know a fish is sick? Anything else besides signs of spots or slow movement?

Id roll with a BRS RO/DI unit they have a 7 stage set up for awful water haha! Also a big welcome!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MirandaP]

Welcome. You came to the best spot for information. Best advice is to just read everything you can on here and you will soon know what you need to achieve success. Start off with cycling threads so you know what to expect and go from there. Look at aquascapes so you can set it up the way you like it and then maybe equipment related stuff.

Thank you! I have read a few books and watched many videos. I also ordered conscientious marine aquariust book. I love reading and want to make sure we do this right. I'm really excited about it all and love the beauty and work they take.

I asked the people if needed putty to glue our rocks and they said no. Does that sounds right? Right now we have the live rock in the tank but was going to set it up today how we'd like it. I was going to then make a list of starter fish and coral. They said we could do clownfish this weekend and 4 weeks for coral.

 

[MirandaP]

DO you use well water or city water?

We use the city water but it's pretty much comparable to well water.

 

[MirandaP]

Id roll with a BRS RO/DI unit they have a 7 stage set up for awful water haha! Also a big welcome!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL it's definitely the worst around here!

 

[S2G]

RODI wise. Depends on your tap water quality. If it's decent you can usually get away with normal brs 4 stage or the aquatic life non ro buddy one. If you have high tds or chloramine then you may need more stages.

I have an aquatic life twist cartridge version 100gpd. Im really pleased with it. It makes water quick, but I bought a booster pump to maximize production. I can fill a 40g brute can in a few hrs. I think the rodi was $110ish and the booster was $75. You can hide it easily is why I got it

 

[lapin]

LOL it's definitely the worst around here!

I would then start with a 5 stage unit.
2 sediment filters and 1 charcoal. RO then 1 DI resin.
If that does not do the trick then you can add on stages to fix whatever.
Since you already have tanks you prob know what the water issues will be.

 

[MirandaP]

Welcome. It seems overwhelming but its really not much different than fresh just more expensive. Right now just be patient and let the tank cycle. You don't need a diff test until you get corals.

Quarantine wise a lot of people just proactively treat. I myself do a fw dip and then observe for a few months. Spots, Constantly rubbing on something, swimming erratic, things out of the ordinary. Things can be dormant for wks so that's why you quarantine a month or 2.

I didn't realize to quarantine for that long, I thought it was 3-10 days. My husband didn't want to starting out and I've told him everything I've read and watched tells the importance of it. He said if the tank just needs a small heater and is basic, then he is okay with doing it. We both agree on dipping any coral no matter what. Do you quarantine coral too? (I've read about using different tanks for copper) My husband doesn't want several tanks for quarantine. lol How do you know if anything is wrong with it? Just not growing or getting colorful?

 

[Brian Kennedy]

Welcome to R2R.

The best advice I can give is to find reliable sources for information and stick to them. People will ask you all sorts of questions about what your goals are, what coral and fish you plan to keep, etc. When I started I couldn’t answer any of those questions. I still can’t!! Figure out the basics first. Take it slow, and learn before you leap. I would encourage you to read up on preventing and treating fish diseases before you put any fish in your display tank. Life will be better without ich, velvet, brook or uronema. Trust me!!

A refractometer is a must have. As well as a source of RODI water for top off water. You can buy it, but it gets really old quickly running back and forth to the LFS every couple days. Your shooting for 1.025 to 1.026 Specific gravity at about 78 degrees.

API kits are good for testing during the cycle, but not much else. Take a look at Dr. Tim’s fishless cycle. Even if you don’t use the product it’s a great source of info to learn about what’s actually going on with the nitrogen cycle.

Get into the habit of 20% water changes now, while the tank is cycling. Changing water won’t hurt the cycle and gives you an opportunity to figure things out before fish and corals. Your maintenance rhythm will play a big part in the trajectory of your success.

 

[Silent]

I asked the people if needed putty to glue our rocks and they said no. Does that sounds right?

That would depend on how you want it to look. Most scapes you find on here that are not a pile of rocks will be glued or they used putty, and/or acrylic dowels to hold in rocks place or create shapes. You don't want rocks tumbling over. Find the scape you want and see ask they created it.

 

[MirandaP]

I would then start with a 5 stage unit.
2 sediment filters and 1 charcoal. RO then 1 DI resin.
If that does not do the trick then you can add on stages to fix whatever.

That would depend on how you want it to look. Most scapes you find on here that are not a pile of rocks will be glued or they used putty, and/or acrylic dowels to hold in rocks place or create shapes. You don't want rocks tumbling over. Find the scape you want and see ask they created it.

That is kind of what I was thinking.

 

[will25u]

Welcome to R2R, Miranda! You’re starting out on a much better foundation that I did. Definitely get an RODI unit like people mentioned. It’ll save you money and headaches down the line.

 

[Seanybaggs123]

I didn't realize to quarantine for that long, I thought it was 3-10 days. My husband didn't want to starting out and I've told him everything I've read and watched tells the importance of it. He said if the tank just needs a small heater and is basic, then he is okay with doing it. We both agree on dipping any coral no matter what. Do you quarantine coral too? (I've read about using different tanks for copper) My husband doesn't want several tanks for quarantine. lol How do you know if anything is wrong with it? Just not growing or getting colorful?

Hello and Welcome!

I'm not organized enough to give my insight on what you need haha.

I also spent years in freshwater, and recently switched to saltwater. The resource that helped me the most to reconcile the differences and determine what I NEEDED was the BRS 160 (youtube series from bulk reef supply). I've watched it three times, in addition to doing independent research on forums and from academic sources. It could be watched in less than a couple weeks if you're determined, and I'd recommend it before adding anything living to your tanks.

So, what did I learn a few weeks ago after a year of research and setting up my tank? QUARANTINE!! The ten gallon tank, sponge filter, heater, egg crate, pvc elbow, and seachem alert badge cost me much less than the heartache of introducing a sick fish to my display tank and then losing that fish. The QT has helped me save the rest, and I can honestly say I will never not quarantine again.

The plop and drop method worked great for me in freshwater, but I'm a firm believer that it's a whole new ball game with salt.

Since then, everything in my tank is thriving. Corals are growing new heads, coraline algae is appearing, the shrimp is molting etc..

Also, just my personal opinion... I probably wouldn't add life until I could make water myself. If an emergency arises and your LFS isn't open you'll render yourself helpless and will likely tire of hauling buckets of water back and forth between the store and your home anyways...

Where abouts in Ohio are you guys from?

Do you have a sump, skimmer, good lighting, refugium, powerheads?

Show us your tank!

 

[Mikedawg]

Thank you! I have read a few books and watched many videos. I also ordered conscientious marine aquariust book. I love reading and want to make sure we do this right. I'm really excited about it all and love the beauty and work they take.

I asked the people if needed putty to glue our rocks and they said no. Does that sounds right? Right now we have the live rock in the tank but was going to set it up today how we'd like it. I was going to then make a list of starter fish and coral. They said we could do clownfish this weekend and 4 weeks for coral.

I wouldn't use putty for rocks at first/never; chances are you'll want to move them a few times before you are satisfied with the look and function of your aquascape. Many of the rock types you'll probably consider "lock" together with a little adjustment.
As for test kits, it seems like many of us use the Hanna series and I also recommend the Nyos phosphate and nitrate if you want a cheaper alternative. Yep, BRS has some good RO/DI units and I assume you'll find some good Christmas sales.
Good luck; you are doing it right in terms of research, and know to be patient.

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to R2R!!! If you haven’t read it already, I encourage you to read the following R2R article:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

Good luck with your system!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Dragon52]

Lots of good advice here on R2R. @Peace River beat to the post for Learning here. lol

 

[krbnsol]

@MirandaP --- the water in ohio can be a problem. I have the BRS5 stage and it does really well (I have Del Co water). As you are just getting started --- the base test kits are all you need to get up and running. If you need recommendation on LFS around Columbus just lmk ---- there are a couple here that are really good to work with.