Hi
I am planning on initially having a fish only setup with live rock and hopefully in some years get into zoas and anemones). I have bought books years ago and done some research online and now have a place and some funds to get started.
Will swap out the electrical outlets nearby to be GFIC before any work is done.
I am planning on getting advice here and lfs (near Portland Oregon)
Never done salt water before and currently have a 3.5 gallon setup for a African dwarf frog.
I already bought a fish tank, stand, and heaters (2 300w fluval e series), fluval fx6 (initially got the tank for fresh water for the family, but really want a salt water setup), and have about $1300 left of diverted funds that I can use now until tax returns and more work on getting diverted funds.
I am thinking of keeping the fx6 as you can’t have too much mechanical filtration and I think it will help the water to be clear. Or should I return it as it won’t be much of a benefit since I would have to clean it out (do the pros outweigh the cons?)
The fish tank is 125 gallon fish tank and stand from PetSmart. I am still uncertain if the stand layout will fit a big enough sump for 125g. As well still really paranoid on power issues and the tank/sump overflowing on a wooden floor (will be on 2nd story [already worked with others to verify floor structure can support the weight]). Since adding a sump costs more money thinking of going without sump and use hob equipment (and maybe 2 years down the road I will regret that).
For the rest of the equipment to start with I need a protein skimmer, power heads, live rock, and substrate.
For the skimmer I was planning to get the Tunze Comline 9012 DC since I read that is quiet.
The rock from BRS using reef saver dry rock for ~130 lbs ~$630, 160 lbs substrate(Caribsea fiji pink arag live reef sand) $312. Still deciding and learning on what power heads.
I know I need to get salt and test kits, and other misc. stuff (big trash can to mix the water)
For the order of events (would like feedback):
get the live rock, spend days on figuring out how to configure it and make it stable.
Add the substrate and than the salt water and add the heaters, wait some time for the sand to settle and water to become clear.
Add the power heads and set it up so it doesn’t kick up sand.
Add the protein skimmer (not sure if this is “needed” for 1 fish, and I could add it later before I add more fish)
Add a clown fish to start the cycle and add some dr Tim’s baterica stuff. (Not sure since it’s a bigger tank if I should get another clown fish)
Wait some time for the cycle to complete than add the fx6 (not sure if I should add this right before the fish).
Once the tank is cycled and stable work from their to add more fish and start the path to spend to much money.
I am planning on initially having a fish only setup with live rock and hopefully in some years get into zoas and anemones). I have bought books years ago and done some research online and now have a place and some funds to get started.
Will swap out the electrical outlets nearby to be GFIC before any work is done.
I am planning on getting advice here and lfs (near Portland Oregon)
Never done salt water before and currently have a 3.5 gallon setup for a African dwarf frog.
I already bought a fish tank, stand, and heaters (2 300w fluval e series), fluval fx6 (initially got the tank for fresh water for the family, but really want a salt water setup), and have about $1300 left of diverted funds that I can use now until tax returns and more work on getting diverted funds.
I am thinking of keeping the fx6 as you can’t have too much mechanical filtration and I think it will help the water to be clear. Or should I return it as it won’t be much of a benefit since I would have to clean it out (do the pros outweigh the cons?)
The fish tank is 125 gallon fish tank and stand from PetSmart. I am still uncertain if the stand layout will fit a big enough sump for 125g. As well still really paranoid on power issues and the tank/sump overflowing on a wooden floor (will be on 2nd story [already worked with others to verify floor structure can support the weight]). Since adding a sump costs more money thinking of going without sump and use hob equipment (and maybe 2 years down the road I will regret that).
For the rest of the equipment to start with I need a protein skimmer, power heads, live rock, and substrate.
For the skimmer I was planning to get the Tunze Comline 9012 DC since I read that is quiet.
The rock from BRS using reef saver dry rock for ~130 lbs ~$630, 160 lbs substrate(Caribsea fiji pink arag live reef sand) $312. Still deciding and learning on what power heads.
I know I need to get salt and test kits, and other misc. stuff (big trash can to mix the water)
For the order of events (would like feedback):
get the live rock, spend days on figuring out how to configure it and make it stable.
Add the substrate and than the salt water and add the heaters, wait some time for the sand to settle and water to become clear.
Add the power heads and set it up so it doesn’t kick up sand.
Add the protein skimmer (not sure if this is “needed” for 1 fish, and I could add it later before I add more fish)
Add a clown fish to start the cycle and add some dr Tim’s baterica stuff. (Not sure since it’s a bigger tank if I should get another clown fish)
Wait some time for the cycle to complete than add the fx6 (not sure if I should add this right before the fish).
Once the tank is cycled and stable work from their to add more fish and start the path to spend to much money.
