Need advice on current equipment please
- Thread starter ahiggins
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michellejy
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If it gets stuck on, yes. It will cook your tank. That happened to me once :/
That's why a lot of people run 2 undersized heaters rather than 1 that is the appropriate size. I don't have room in my AIO to run two though, so I just bought one that had a long history of being reliable.
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Hello,
Instant ocean is fine to start with, Randy Holmes-Farley used it for years. He's the chemist that runs the Chemistry forum. I use the Red Sea blue bucket, mostly because it matches my tank parameters, it's cheap and has a bucket to store the salt
For the heater, get a controller. I use a finnex controller I got for $40, even good heaters malfunction. A controller has a separate temperature sensor and supplies power to the heater based on your settings preventing the heater from getting stuck on. Also sounds an alarm if too far out of range.
IMO, more smaller pumps is better than just one. You can arrange them to eliminate dead spots around the tank, flexibility you don't have with a single powerhead.
Here's a like to an article from Randy on optimal reef parameters
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/173563/
Take a look at the stickies here in the new to the hobby forum and also the stickies in the chemistry forum... Lots to read and learn, just take it one step at a time. Any recommendations you get, think about and research before implementation.
Happy reefing!
Instant ocean is fine to start with, Randy Holmes-Farley used it for years. He's the chemist that runs the Chemistry forum. I use the Red Sea blue bucket, mostly because it matches my tank parameters, it's cheap and has a bucket to store the salt
For the heater, get a controller. I use a finnex controller I got for $40, even good heaters malfunction. A controller has a separate temperature sensor and supplies power to the heater based on your settings preventing the heater from getting stuck on. Also sounds an alarm if too far out of range.
IMO, more smaller pumps is better than just one. You can arrange them to eliminate dead spots around the tank, flexibility you don't have with a single powerhead.
Here's a like to an article from Randy on optimal reef parameters
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/173563/
Take a look at the stickies here in the new to the hobby forum and also the stickies in the chemistry forum... Lots to read and learn, just take it one step at a time. Any recommendations you get, think about and research before implementation.
Happy reefing!
jaws789832
Active Member
I agree cmcocker. I use reef crystls and have for many years with no problems. Basically my suggestion is use whatever your lfs is using that way it is easy to get and when you buy fish and coral from the the parameters match pretty close. As you get more advanced you can look into more options such as dosing and what your particular tank needs but until then keep it simple and easy.
OP
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ahiggins
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I have 2 more questions for start up (still for the 25 gallon):
1) Live sand or bare bottom (take a look at the fish below). I like sand but dont want all kinds of it blown around. I DO intend to keep soft coral after all is acclimated. I just received 2x 240GPH hydor circulation pumps.
2) What do you think about....
Here is my fish-wish-list:
-1 yellow watchman goby
-1 warpaint goby
-1 clownfish
-1 or 2 blue legged hermit crab
-1 or 2 peppermint shrimp
-a coupl trochus snails
-(if applicable, maybe a wrasse)
Do I need a better clean up crew? and I definitely dont want to be overstocked lol
Thanks again
1) Live sand or bare bottom (take a look at the fish below). I like sand but dont want all kinds of it blown around. I DO intend to keep soft coral after all is acclimated. I just received 2x 240GPH hydor circulation pumps.
2) What do you think about....
Here is my fish-wish-list:
-1 yellow watchman goby
-1 warpaint goby
-1 clownfish
-1 or 2 blue legged hermit crab
-1 or 2 peppermint shrimp
-a coupl trochus snails
-(if applicable, maybe a wrasse)
Do I need a better clean up crew? and I definitely dont want to be overstocked lol
Thanks again
sand or bare bottom is all preference. bare bottom is easier to clean but you see the debris much more in the tank so more vacuuming is necessary. with sand you get lots of beneficial bacteria to help clean the tank and your debris is less noticeable but its still gotta be stirred and vacuumed as well. really depends on what you want it to look like and a cleaning schedule that fits your life.
michellejy
Well-Known Member
I have never had an issue. If your powerheads are positioned high enough not to disturb the sand on a day to day basis, they aren't going to go crazy just because a goby does a little digging. Once your tank starts to have some bacteria, it helps to weigh down all of the little sand particles anyway, so they don't really blow around as easily.
michellejy
Well-Known Member
Oh, I should have mentioned that the wrasses that will work in that size tank (namely the 6 line) generally end up being evil bullies to the other occupants. Everything else you have planned is peaceful, so I thought you might want to know.
