My first reef tank, 110 Gallons!

[Abyzter]

I just got my first (saltwater) tank yesterday, I picked it up from someone who is leaving the hobby and they gave me all of their stuff, it is a lot. If someone wants the full list I could give it. If you have any tips/tricks I should know please feel free to leave them down below. My hopes are for a mixed reef in the future, my first coral i will probably get some zoas as they are my favorite

I'm excited to see how your tank turns out!

 

[EgotisticObeseChihuahua]

if my lfs has quarantine protocols will I still need to qt?

I would personally recommend doing QT on your own anyways, but if you just cant QT yourself then it is better to get semi QT'ed fish.

 

[Mikeltee]

BRS also has a video on a simple quarantine protocol for fish. If you are getting any tangs (Or any fish of greater size) I would get a 40 gallon QT tank unless you are getting smaller ones.

Don't get a 40g qt tank and don't do the BRS QT protocol. 10gal tanks are 10$. There's nothing wrong with the TTM method however there is a problem with putting your fish in a tiny bucket while you sterilize your one 10gal tank. The tank needs to dry for 24 hours as well. You also need to address potential flukes and they don't make it clear in that one video.

 

[Mikeltee]

if my lfs has quarantine protocols will I still need to qt?

LFS use a little bit of copper to keep the fish alive. They lie to you and tell you it's quarantined knowing dang well that they aren't. They want you to take that fish home and release velvet into your tank killing your 20 fish so that they can sell you 20 more. When you complain they tell you it's your water quality and tell you that you need a bigger skimmer. 95% of LFS are dishonest.

 

[EgotisticObeseChihuahua]

Don't get a 40g qt tank and don't do the BRS QT protocol. 10gal tanks are 10$. There's nothing wrong with the TTM method however there is a problem with putting your fish in a tiny bucket while you sterilize your one 10gal tank. The tank needs to dry for 24 hours as well. You also need to address potential flukes and they don't make it clear in that one video.

I’m sorry I was under the assumption a 6” tang or any other large fish couldn’t stay in a 10 gallon tank for a couple weeks. Your right.

 

[vcnt]

Don't get a 40g qt tank and don't do the BRS QT protocol. 10gal tanks are 10$. There's nothing wrong with the TTM method however there is a problem with putting your fish in a tiny bucket while you sterilize your one 10gal tank. The tank needs to dry for 24 hours as well. You also need to address potential flukes and they don't make it clear in that one video.

I already have a 10g but my turtle in it right now , but ill probably neec to upgrade him soon so ill have a 10 open and a 20 long

 

[Mikeltee]

I already have a 10g but my turtle in it right now , but ill probably neec to upgrade him soon so ill have a 10 open and a 20 long

I have two 20s and two 10s. Bigger fish go in the 20 but I only have 2 bigger fish (Foxface and white tail tang) in my 130gal so they probably won't be touched for a long time.

 

[vcnt]

Almost ready to start cycling... finally have it all cleaned out

Was only off by about 5 months of "almost" ready

 

[vcnt]

Day 8 of Cycle!

 

[vcnt]

@KrisReef

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I find the test kits were you need to use color to define the value very annoying and inaccurate. So I would recommend salifert and Hanna testers. If you like to compare the colors then these would work for you.

I have to absolutely agree with this! Even if you can only buy one at a time, the Hanna tests are THE way to go in my book. It takes the guess work completely out! They are pricey, but very worth it!

 

[vcnt]

I have to absolutely agree with this! Even if you can only buy one at a time, the Hanna tests are THE way to go in my book. It takes the guess work completely out! They are pricey, but very worth it!

Yea I really am considering those API is a pain color matching

 

[vcnt]

I got my water tested at the store, here are the reading very different from what api was telling.

 

[vcnt]

0 AMMONIA!!!

 

[vcnt]

 

[NanoNana]

Are you using API? That is probably why your LFS tests are so far off of yours.
What ammonia source have you been adding and when was the last time you added?
You’re cycled when you can clear 2ppm ammonia in less than 24 hours ( less time is better)

 

[Gumbies R Us]

API has a tendency to be inaccurate. I would invest in salifert, hanna's or redsea test kits.

 

[vcnt]

Are you using API? That is probably why your LFS tests are so far off of yours.
What ammonia source have you been adding and when was the last time you added?
You’re cycled when you can clear 2ppm ammonia in less than 24 hours ( less time is better)

My lfs was reading 0 nitrate and i was reading 40 nitrate, but nitrite and ammonia i was pretty accurate imo, i was using ammonia from my other lfs, she mixed powder and ro water. How do I know that i can clear in a day, must i dose more amm?

 

[NanoNana]

Buy a bottle of ammonia additive and dose per instruction to 2ppm. (It’s cheap stuff) Test ammonia and nitrates in 12 hours.

zero nitrate is NOT what you want. Because there is a discrepancy there between you and your LFS, have your LFS test again or confirm nitrates with salifert or Hannah tester. I’ve never seen someone cycle with LFS ammonia chloride. Did they only give you enough to add once?

 

[vcnt]

Buy a bottle of ammonia additive and dose per instruction to 2ppm. (It’s cheap stuff) Test ammonia and nitrates in 12 hours.

zero nitrate is NOT what you want. Because there is a discrepancy there between you and your LFS, have your LFS test again or confirm nitrates with salifert or Hannah tester. I’ve never seen someone cycle with LFS ammonia chloride. Did they only give you enough to add once?

Nah I've got way more than I need, it's like one of those to-go restaurant sauce things, but instead filled with ammonium chloride. IM 99% sure the super high nitrate is from the nitrite messing with API nitrate, i know 0 nitrate isn't the way to go but I think my tank hasn't gotten to nitrates yet.