I need help PLS

[trapstars]

alright so im really new to this hobby and wanting to learn as much as possible and get as much input from others as i can to be successful. I am starting off with a 30 gallon tank. im in the process of purchasing all the equipment thats not the issue. im not sure about the process with getting all the chemical parameters squared away and maintained. do i add chems each time i put new fish or corals and water changes? and what chems do i add? also how often should you feed the fish? these are prolly really basic questions lol

 

[twilliard]

Nothing is a basic question.
set your tank up. Fill with your saltwater 1.025 sg
and let it run keeping the tank topped off with RODI water.
no chemicals are needed.
feeding will be much later and is dependant on what fish you add.
Get a GOOD test kit for your nitrates, Amonia.
its easy just have to be patient
also add your live rock in to get it going

 

[twilliard]

Ohh and welcome to R2R!!

 

[trapstars]

when keeping the tank topped off with rodi water will that dilute the salinity of the tank? and thanks for the help and warm welcome

 

[4FordFamily]

Welcome to R2R you'll love it here!

It's true to begin I wouldn't dose anything just do water changes it should suffice (most stuff you need is in even the most inexpensive salts)

 

[Wiz]

No it will not dilute salinity. Only water will evaporate. Might loose a tiny amt of salt to creep. But not enough to worry. I would start with amonia, nitrate, and phosphate tests. As far as equipment it entirely depends on what you intend to keep. Most basic is probably circulation pumps, a skimmer and some form of carbon. Although even these are questionable to some. Everything in this hobby is debateable. Lol welcome

 

[Wiz]

Generally only add salt when changing water.

 

[Wiz]

I highly recomend a refugium.

 

[4FordFamily]

Generally only add salt when changing water.

Skimmers will remove salt water and thus if they collect a lot of saltwater and you're only topping off with fresh, (depending on how wet you skim) you may need to occasionally add salt.

If you're changing your water with any regularity this will be a non-issue. I always add saltwater a hair saltier than normal. And I mean a hair, and only occasionally.

I have huge skimmers with large collection cups and they remove LOTS of nastiness from my tanks so it's a bigger issue for me than others. Took me 12 years to figure this out too. And again, it's a minuscule affect even still.

 

[trapstars]

so i should get a skimmer? are there any good cheaper hangons?

 

[trapstars]

would this be good?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Refugium-S-...-15-HOB-New-/111703738726?hash=item1a020fc966

 

[Wiz]

I personally do not like the back pack type. I would prefer a coralife 100 to that which you could get cheaper. But I'm sure there are even better choices

 

[twilliard]

I have a nac5e sitting around that worked wonders but the pump was noisy