Howdy from a newbie.

[SammiMitch]

howdy!
This is my first time setting up a saltwater tank. I have been keeping freshwater for about 4 years now though and it's finally time to make the jump. I just set up a aqueon 15g tall tank. I have set live sand and 14lbs of live rock. I have a 500 gph power head for current. A regular t5 12in bulb that came with the tank and a 12in true lumen pro led light strip (12,000k white/actinic blue) for lighting. For a filter I have a aqua excel hob-1 filter running. And the heater that came with the tank set at 75 degrees. I am buying my saltwater/RO water from my LFS. This tank has been running since 2/27/16. Any and all advice welcome. My first question to the forum....now what? Lol Do I let it cycle like a normal fresh tank...? Will a freshwater master test kit work to check the water...? Or do I have to get the reef one? What kind of hardy expendable fish, coral, and inverts are recommend for beginners? Better to buy livestock online or local? Is acclimation the same as freshwater? Any other recommended equipment? I've been considering an auto top off, bc I live in Ca and it gets hot here and I read evaporation can crash a system fast. Can anyone recommend a good system? I have two 5g jugs for water one salt one fresh...does it have a shelf life? Freshwater for top off? Saltwater for water changes? I think those are all the questions I can think of right now...I know it's a lot...sorry. But I appreaciate all the advice I can get to start out strong and be successful! Thanks!!!

 

[Wiz]

Let it be for atleast a week. Then you need atleast a basic SALT water test kit. Ph/amonia/nitrate. Eventually calcium/alkalinity/magnesium. Test amonia and nirates regularly until they hit 0 or very close. need marine tests. I prefer local shops as shipping is expensive, stressful, and you don't know what your getting. The more constant you can keep the tank the better. So an auto top off is a great investment. Yes salt for water changes. < 20ppm rodi water for top off. I would defanitly get a skimmer of some sort.

 

[SammiMitch]

I would defanitly get a skimmer of some sort.

Is this like a protein skimmer? This is the filter I have running now.

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R

 

[Wiz]

Is this like a protein skimmer? This is the filter I have running now.

yup

 

[Diesel]

 

[melypr1985]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Shep]

Welcome to the community! I would let it cycle for at least a month before you try adding any fish or corals and yes, you will need reef test kits FW kits will not give you accurate readings. Also question, in the right hand pic why is the tank not filled all the way?

 

[SammiMitch]

well I noticed that when I fill up the tank all the way the protein skimmer just over flows and doesn't make the dry bubbles...and when I lowered the tank water it stopped over flowing. Is there a way to fix that problem?

 

[hybridazn]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[reef101]

well I noticed that when I fill up the tank all the way the protein skimmer just over flows and doesn't make the dry bubbles...and when I lowered the tank water it stopped over flowing. Is there a way to fix that problem?

Is there an airline where you can adjust the amount of bubbles being generated? If so turn up the bubble volume, this should drop the water level of your skimmer.

Here's a good place to start reading just for some basics: http://www.reefedition.com/291/

1) Depending on what that of inhabitants you want to keep, you may want to up your temp to 78.
2) You will need saltwater specific test kits
3) You don't want to add anything for at least a month, could be longer. You want to make sure your tank fully goes through the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate cycle.
4) Acclimation is different between, fish, corals, and inverts. Search around for the different processes.

Be patient and search around this forum. You'll find very details answers to all of your questions.

Hope this helps and welcome to R2R! Hope you enjoy your new tank!

 

[SammiMitch]

Ahh thanks! The air line just kinda sticks out there and I guess is doing the best it can. Is it possible to connect a small air pump to it to force more air in?

 

[steelheader.262]

Welcome!!!

 

[reef101]

Ahh thanks! The air line just kinda sticks out there and I guess is doing the best it can. Is it possible to connect a small air pump to it to force more air in?

are the bubbles large or very fine tiny bubbles? not too sure about forcing more air in. is there an air adjustment at the end of the line?

 

[SammiMitch]

are the bubbles large or very fine tiny bubbles? not too sure about forcing more air in. is there an air adjustment at the end of the line?

There's no air adjustment at all...the bubbles I guess you could say are not fine but not huge. But the guy at my LFS showed what they needed to look like and they aren't that either lol

 

[SammiMitch]

Ok tired the forcing the air in and no Bueno lol so we just kept messing with it and filled the tank and I think we have fine tuned the filter so the one side doesn't overflow