Help! I have no idea what im doing.

[Tamberav]

I already have water and 3 damsals that have been in here for 3 months. I want to know about putting carbon in there and gfo, I probably should have been more specific, I heard that gfo takes out phosphates but then you need to add it back. I watched yt videos but it would be easier of there was a list of basic things I need. I also know corals need calcium to grow and I'm not sure what the number is or how to reach it. Sorry if the questions I asked was obvious I just was trying to learn from people with experience .

What kind of damsels are they?

 

[Reefering1]

 

[Fish Fan]

@jayden kolonne You are certainly jumping into the hobby head first with a tank like that as your first!

You've already received some great advice from some very experienced reefers and R2R members, but I'll add just a few thoughts.

First, and I'll probably get in trouble for suggesting this..... I fully understand that at the end of the day the purpose of the BRSTV videos is to sell us equipment, and often things we arguably don't need to be successful. That said, I do think they do a pretty good job breaking down some of these advanced topics and explaining things easily for beginners. They even have a whole series for beginners that's pretty good. If you have not already, maybe try these videos:


Another way to attack this is to go to the member's tanks section here at R2R and look for other people who have tanks around your size. Take a look at what they are keeping and decide what kind of tank appeals to you. Then you can take a look at their setup and see what gear these members are using (or not using) to meet their goals:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks.52/

As others have said, patience is a big, big part of this hobby. Please take some time to learn a little more about some of the basics of reef keeping, and what kind of tank you ultimately want to have. Then by all means keep posting if you have further questions. I for one would be happy to try to help you if I can, and I know others here at R2R will as well. I do suggest that at least for now if you have further questions (even if they are chemistry related) that you post them in the beginner sub-forum. The reason is that on this sub-forum, you're mostly only reaching the chemistry and science nerds (and I say that with love!). If you post on the beginner section, I think you'll get a little more help there:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/new-to-saltwater-reef-aquariums-post-here.130/

Best of luck with your new tank!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

@jayden kolonne You are certainly jumping into the hobby head first with a tank like that as your first!

You've already received some great advice from some very experienced reefers and R2R members, but I'll add just a few thoughts.

First, and I'll probably get in trouble for suggesting this..... I fully understand that at the end of the day the purpose of the BRSTV videos is to sell us equipment, and often things we arguably don't need to be successful. That said, I do think they do a pretty good job breaking down some of these advanced topics and explaining things easily for beginners. They even have a whole series for beginners that's pretty good. If you have not already, maybe try these videos:


Another way to attack this is to go to the member's tanks section here at R2R and look for other people who have tanks around your size. Take a look at what they are keeping and decide what kind of tank appeals to you. Then you can take a look at their setup and see what gear these members are using (or not using) to meet their goals:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks.52/

As others have said, patience is a big, big part of this hobby. Please take some time to learn a little more about some of the basics of reef keeping, and what kind of tank you ultimately want to have. Then by all means keep posting if you have further questions. I for one would be happy to try to help you if I can, and I know others here at R2R will as well. I do suggest that at least for now if you have further questions (even if they are chemistry related) that you post them in the beginner sub-forum. The reason is that on this sub-forum, you're mostly only reaching the chemistry and science nerds (and I say that with love!). If you post on the beginner section, I think you'll get a little more help there:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/new-to-saltwater-reef-aquariums-post-here.130/

Best of luck with your new tank!

Agreed. Get past the sales pitch and the videos are chalked full of information. I owe a lot of my success to the BRS videos. Easy way to learn the reasons why on many things. I feel BRS gets a bad wrap sometimes. Like I said ignore the sales pitch.

 

[Fish Fan]

Agreed. Get past the sales pitch and the videos are chalked full of information. I owe a lot of my success to the BRS videos. Easy way to learn the reasons why on many things. I feel BRS gets a bad wrap sometimes. Like I said ignore the sales pitch.

Couldn't agree more! I feel exactly the same way about their videos, but I sometimes get jumped on for suggesting them. I'm glad you see the value in them too.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Couldn't agree more! I feel exactly the same way about their videos, but I sometimes get jumped on for suggesting them. I'm glad you see the value in them too.

Most of the people jumping on us are those who started a long time ago and if they watch the videos, and that's a big if, aren't coming at it as a new reefer.

 

[Fish Fan]

Most of the people jumping on us are those who started a long time ago and if they watch the videos, and that's a big if, aren't coming at it as a new reefer.

I do think that half the people who disregard their videos haven't bothered to watch them. And I think because BRS is in business to sell us things that people get their guard up and can't see the value in the information they are offering as well. I'm not saying these guys are the end all to all reefing knowledge and videos, I just genuinely think the video series I linked above is a great intro to this hobby for someone that is just getting started in reef keeping.

 

[jayden kolonne]

@jayden kolonne You are certainly jumping into the hobby head first with a tank like that as your first!

You've already received some great advice from some very experienced reefers and R2R members, but I'll add just a few thoughts.

First, and I'll probably get in trouble for suggesting this..... I fully understand that at the end of the day the purpose of the BRSTV videos is to sell us equipment, and often things we arguably don't need to be successful. That said, I do think they do a pretty good job breaking down some of these advanced topics and explaining things easily for beginners. They even have a whole series for beginners that's pretty good. If you have not already, maybe try these videos:


Another way to attack this is to go to the member's tanks section here at R2R and look for other people who have tanks around your size. Take a look at what they are keeping and decide what kind of tank appeals to you. Then you can take a look at their setup and see what gear these members are using (or not using) to meet their goals:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks.52/

As others have said, patience is a big, big part of this hobby. Please take some time to learn a little more about some of the basics of reef keeping, and what kind of tank you ultimately want to have. Then by all means keep posting if you have further questions. I for one would be happy to try to help you if I can, and I know others here at R2R will as well. I do suggest that at least for now if you have further questions (even if they are chemistry related) that you post them in the beginner sub-forum. The reason is that on this sub-forum, you're mostly only reaching the chemistry and science nerds (and I say that with love!). If you post on the beginner section, I think you'll get a little more help there:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/new-to-saltwater-reef-aquariums-post-here.130/

Best of luck with your new tank!

It's my second. And like my 20th when you count fresh.

 

[seahuy]

I bought a new 125 gallon with a 36 bashsea. I don't know what I need to do for filtration and dosing. I have a uv filter, ceramic, filter sock and that's it. I watch some BRSTV and they say you need alot of stuff. However, I read the comments and they said this is very consumeristic, and is not what you need. I don't know what my numbers should be in terms of gh, kh, and other stuff. Do I need to have dosers and more filtration? I want to keep a good amount of coral and fish. I also don't mind spending money if I need to but I don't want to waste it cause I think we would all rather spend that on fish or coral. I'm about to order more fish, since it's been cycling for 3 months now.

If u don’t mind spending money, reach out to ur LFS to see if they service monthly. Let them handle the maintenance and upkeep

 

[Fish Fan]

It's my second. And like my 20th when you count fresh.

I'm sorry, I meant no offense. I too keep freshwater tanks. Salt water and reef tanks in particular are a much larger learning curve.

What was your first tank? How did you run that tank? Was it sucessful?

 

[TheReefPA]

Start with watching the BRS 52 weeks of reefing. Loaded with great newbie info so you can get a solid understanding of what it takes to get a successful reef tank up and running.

 

[Fish Fan]

If u don’t mind spending money, reach out to ur LFS to see if they service monthly. Let them handle the maintenance and upkeep

Actually a very good idea, and I meant to suggest this myself. If you have the money, hire a service to get the tank up and running and to maintain it until you are able to do so yourself. You'll likely learn a lot from the maintenance people.

 

[Fish Fan]

Start with watching the BRS 52 weeks of reefing. Loaded with great newbie info so you can get a solid understanding of what it takes to get a successful reef tank up and running.

The 52 weeks series is mind-numbingly long for beginners, I know Ryan B. from BRS admitted this himself in one of their videos. Personally, I'd suggest the beginner series I linked to above, it's just much more digestible for beginners. But, the old 52 weeks is worth a watch, I learned a ton from that series.

 

[TheReefPA]

The 52 weeks series is mind-numbingly long for beginners, I know Ryan B. from BRS admitted this himself in one of their videos. Personally, I'd suggest the beginner series I linked to above, it's just much more digestible for beginners. But, the old 52 weeks is worth a watch, I learned a ton from that series.

Just depends on how deep into the water (pun intended) you want to get.

 

[jayden kolonne]

Stay away from GFO unless your phosphates are high and stay high. You can end up bottoming them out and causing more issues. Thats something you want to take care of down the road. Do you even have test kits? There are 4 you must have. Nitrate, Phosphate, Alkalinity (KH), and Calcium for a reef tank. I assume your cycle must be complete by now? Three months is more than enough time to get through a cycle.

Read articles here about the basics- test kits and what they mean, the nitrogen cycle, lighting, flow, and "must have" equipment. An RODI is a must have piece of equipment for a 125 for making saltwater. Skimmer is a good idea but not essential. If you want to keep coral, flow is very important for nutrient movement through the tank as well as preventing some types of algae growth. This is accomplished with powerheads or pumps in your tank such as an mp40 or other various proven pumps.

What is the UV light for? Do you have algae issues? You dont need to dose anything until your tank is filled with coral. Even then, if you only have soft coral, you don't need to dose much of anything.

One step at a time. Tell people what you have and what you do not.

I have the rodi, I have the uv for the algea problem I had. The ammonia is 0 nitrate is 0 and nitrate is like 5 or something. I bought the tank used and came with a bunch of testers. I'm gonna use hygger wavemakers. 400 dollars is to much for wavemaker + I trust hygger since I use their heaters and lights for freshwater. I don't know what type of coral I want. The goal is to only have to feed so I want to set this up properly. I set my 125 freshwater that way where it's overstocked and been healthy for 7+ years. I had that purple algea at the start but that died off after just letting the tank run. I'm going on a trip for 14 days so I ordered fish online and the shop will qt the fish in a seperate system for me. Hopes this adds alot of details. I also want to add a auto waterchange system. That way there's no work needed except feeding. I will either buy one or build my own since I'm good with robotics.
Anyways thank you for your response. LMK what advice and knowledge you have for me.

 

[jayden kolonne]

I'm sorry, I meant no offense. I too keep freshwater tanks. Salt water and reef tanks in particular are a much larger learning curve.

What was your first tank? How did you run that tank? Was it sucessful?

Sorry that response was probably harsh it just took me 2 hours to come home since the bus broke down. It was a 30g with clowns a chromis and yellow watchman, clean up crew and tiger pistol, I went on vacation before and we turned the ac off. It likely got to hot and killed the damsal and clowns, however the watchman and 3 coral survived. I'm leaving a fan on in my room when I have to leave again.

 

[jayden kolonne]

What is the difference between that and a regular thread.

 

[jayden kolonne]

What kind of damsels are they?

What kind of damsels are they?

Saphire damsal and the yellow belly with blue base.

 

[Fish Fan]

What is the difference between that and a regular thread.

Do you mean what is a 'sticky thread'? If so, these are threads that the forum moderators felt had such great information that they pin or stick them to the top of the forum. Unlike a regular thread, sticky threads will always be at the top of the forum, and will not get buried down by newer posts. Reading through these sticky threads is a great way to learn about a particular reef keeping topic. I hope that helps.

 

[aliceb]

You mentioned leaving the fan on while you’re out of town, how hot will your place get? Having a stable water temperature is also really important. I’d be wary of turning your ac off while out of town.

Sorry that response was probably harsh it just took me 2 hours to come home since the bus broke down. It was a 30g with clowns a chromis and yellow watchman, clean up crew and tiger pistol, I went on vacation before and we turned the ac off. It likely got to hot and killed the damsal and clowns, however the watchman and 3 coral survived. I'm leaving a fan on in my room when I have to leave again.

You mentioned leaving the fan on while you’re out of town, how hot will your place get? Having a stable water temperature is also really important. I’d be wary of turning your ac off while out of town.