New reefer

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!

 

[saintsreturn]

Just take it one step at a time, and don't be afraid to ask for help... You'll love it.

This.... 100% of the time

 

[Taxus812]

Hello everyone. I have been in the freshwater world for a while, but I have finally decide to start a reef tank. I already have the tank I'm going to use a 60 g with a wet dry sump. I got this tank used for a good price and bbqbit came with the sand and rocks from the previous owners set up. Are these rocks and sand safe to use in my tank they have been dry for at least a month and with probably be another month before i use them. Also is there a way to set us a refugium in the wet dry ?

welcome to R2R from a fellow noob to Marine Aquariums. This place has been a wealth of information.

 

[Arrowkrab]

Welcome to r2r!

Take your time and soak your rock for a month go diy sump

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Sorry to be tardy to the party, welcome

 

[Auquanut]

Welcome to the party! Absolutely the best place for marine aquarists. I got my 125 off craigslist and it came with a wet/dry filter. Wasn't long before I ditched the wet/dry and got a sump. I hated it for too many reasons to mention. As soon as I installed the sump (with refugium) stability and water quality improved overnight. I'm absolutely certain that I wouldn't be able to keep any SPS corals or even most LPS if I had kept battling the wet/dry. If I had it to do over again, I would have saved myself a lot of time, effort and aggravation, and went with the sump to begin with. Just my 02.

 

[Captain Quint]

Welcome to R2R!

Go with what you're ultimately going to be comfortable with whether it be up to date sumps or the wet/dry sumps of the past.

I never had issues with a set/dry sump. I replaced the BioBalls with LR & LR rubble...even sectioned parts off as a fuge.

I also used/use today's standards in sumps and still find uses for old wet/dry units as remote fuges and such.

Take your time and enjoy new family member.

 

[Reefo25]

Thank you everyone for the advice! All the information is really helping me with my decisions.

 

[Jon the fragger]

Just take it one step at a time, and don't be afraid to ask for help... You'll love it.

 

[Reefo25]

Welcome to the site and the addiction!

Rinse the sand and use it. Take the rocks, get them wet in new saltwater and add a power head. Would not be a bad idea to throw in some bacteria startup to help kick off the cycle. You do not (imo) want to put the rock in your tank as is as the die off as it soaks will be a challenge in the display. While the rock is in the buckets soaking, wait a few days and then test the water for high nitrates. When you are ready, do some water changes every week to help pull out the gunk in the tubs.

I would ditch the filter and go with a sump. If you have the capability, the sump will offer better options for you down the road.

So I'm getting readuly to soak my rock and I was wondering about when i add the bacteria this will like them live rocks so when i add them to the tank and fill it with water can i add bacteria then also and add fish right away or should i still wait? If i add the rocks and no bacteria then i have to do the whole cycle like normal right?

 

[Mike.P]

@Reefo25

Get everything in your tank first, fill it up with salt water, get your heater going, get the water circulating. Once the water is up to temperature, add your bacteria. I use a combination of Bio Spira, and Coralline in a Bottle. From there, you can go one of two ways...

Yes, you can add a fish or two, but I wouldn't recommend it. Here is what I suggest, start feeding the bacteria ammonia, using this product:

https://www.amazon.com/DrTims-Aquatics-Ammonium-chloride-bottle/dp/B006MP4QG6

This will make the colonies explode in growth, which is what you want. Test your water in a couple of days; if everything is at zero, you're good to go. If it was me (this is not required, I just prefer overkill) I would feed them ammonia again, let the levels zero out once more, and then start adding stuff.

 

[Reefo25]

@Reefo25

Get everything in your tank first, fill it up with salt water, get your heater going, get the water circulating. Once the water is up to temperature, add your bacteria. I use a combination of Bio Spira, and Coralline in a Bottle. From there, you can go one of two ways...

Yes, you can add a fish or two, but I wouldn't recommend it. Here is what I suggest, start feeding the bacteria ammonia, using this product:

https://www.amazon.com/DrTims-Aquatics-Ammonium-chloride-bottle/dp/B006MP4QG6

This will make the colonies explode in growth, which is what you want. Test your water in a couple of days; if everything is at zero, you're good to go. If it was me (this is not required, I just prefer overkill) I would feed them ammonia again, let the levels zero out once more, and then start adding stuff.

Ok thanks! Woyld you recommend adding a few then later adding a couple or what?

 

[Mike.P]

Ok thanks! Woyld you recommend adding a few then later adding a couple or what?

Yes, always add only one or two fish at a time, and wait a few days to a week before adding more; otherwise you'll overload the bacteria's filtration capacity. They need a chance to build up after every addition. Same rule goes for corals and inverts.