First time salt water user in FL

[Fish Think Pink]

Ive had many small fresh water tanks over the year and finally took the plunge into salt. Its almost overwhelming but im excited! I have the tank installed and filters going with my live rock in there. Cant wait to add some coral and fish!

Welcome!

Glad you joined & congrats on already starting your build thread. Many get RO water from LFSs then mix salt at home - great thing with this hobby is there is no right answer for every situation (which may also drive you crazy if you ask for advice and get multiple opinions... giggle). Just do you, go slow and have fun!

 

[JayStro81]

Welcome, my fellow Floridian

 

[Salty Rambler]

Welcome to R2R and the salty side of the hobby! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the tank once it cycles. Hope you didn't experience too much damage when Hurricane Sally came through last year.

 

[dbowman5]

Welcome to R2R!!!!
usually the LFS will test your water. Ask if yours does. as you go along you can get test kits. I would get something to measure your salinity, especially if you are mixing your own salt water.

 

[BaysEndReef]

 

[Staghorn]

Welcome Floyd. WPB here. And yes Pensacola is more like greenbow Alabama than south Florida! In either case it’s our hobby that binds us. Get some test kits for amonia, nitrite and nitrate to start with. Once your tank is cycled and your showing no ammonia or nitrite your off to a good start. For now you can get away with buying ro/di water but after a while I’m sure you will find that having a source for pure water at your house is super convenient/ or lugging around jugs of water is super inconvenient. Good luck with everything.

 

[KingTideCorals]

Ive had many small fresh water tanks over the year and finally took the plunge into salt. Its almost overwhelming but im excited! I have the tank installed and filters going with my live rock in there. Cant wait to add some coral and fish!

Welcome to the salty side! Soon enough your tank will be your newest obsession!

If you get bored and are looking for something to watch I have a channel for my tanks, and like to talk about different things in the hobby! Welcome to R2R!

 

[FBAA]

Take your time and be safe. Welcome.

 

[CMMorgan]

Everyone keeps saying to test the water to find out when I can put fish and all in there. How do I go about testing the water without having a laboratory setup. All ive used in the past were the little strips and they sucked. I also think im going to just stick to getting my water for changes at the local shop instead of the whole RODI setup. It takes up a ton of space that I just dont have.

How big is your tank? It may get to be a pain after a while hauling water around in your car. They make smaller RODI systems that you can attach to the faucet if space is tight.

Welcome Floyd. WPB here. And yes Pensacola is more like greenbow Alabama than south Florida! In either case it’s our hobby that binds us. Get some test kits for amonia, nitrite and nitrate to start with. Once your tank is cycled and your showing no ammonia or nitrite your off to a good start. For now you can get away with buying ro/di water but after a while I’m sure you will find that having a source for pure water at your house is super convenient/ or lugging around jugs of water is super inconvenient. Good luck with everything.

@Staghorn is correct - get test kits as you can afford them. Top of that list - refractometer, ammonia ... yes yes and yes. Skip API. Spend a few bucks and get the basic Red Sea test kit. It will cover all of the basics to get you started and it will carry you a while. The deeper you get, you will find you like some kits better than others. I highly suggest spending money on this before corals. Remember, your LFS may test the water for free but they only make money if they sell you something.

Welcome to the salty side! Soon enough your tank will be your newest obsession!

If you get bored and are looking for something to watch I have a channel for my tanks, and like to talk about different things in the hobby! Welcome to R2R!

Follow this guy .... most of us are not this talented but we all need somebody to look up to!

Congrats and welcome to the fishy family! Say this with me ... nothing good happens fast in reefing. Take it slow, baby steps, do not be discouraged. It is worth the journey.

PS - Florida Reefers Rock!!

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world. Take things slowly. Treat yourself to a test kit each time you can afford it. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Floyd-]

How big is your tank? It may get to be a pain after a while hauling water around in your car. They make smaller RODI systems that you can attach to the faucet if space is tight.

Its a 60gal tank. When I started it I got the water from the local store and it was 10 jugs of water! So I have plenty jugs. Ill have to look into the smaller RODI systems at a later time. For now im just going to buy it.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. My girlfriend is asking me everyday when we can put fish in the tank

 

[Manny’s Reef]

Welcome to the R2R family.

 

[Bo.]

Welcome!

 

[Kiwi reefer]

Welcome! looking forward to seeing your reef!