New to Saltwater and lost...Help!!

[kntrywyde74]

Hi. I literally just got a Fluval Spec V tank yesterday around 3pm. I got Imagitarium premixed Saltwater in 5 gallons. One bag of CaribSea Naturals sand. I have the tank running with sand and water added. I am totally lost. I would like to grow some corals. However, I do not know if I have the proper lighting. It is 7500kv. Help!!! Thank you

 

[Pntbll687]

That's gonna depend on what type of coral you want to keep. It should be ok for some soft corals and maybe some lps, but will probably not support sps coral.

Take it SLOW and try some cheap frags first. You don't want to go and buy a $200 frag and have it die.

I prefer soft and lps corals to sps, I like to see the movement in the tank.

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[rich nyc]

welcome. I agree that in the beginning go with cheap corals. Maybe frags from local reefers.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Welcome to reef2reef!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[kntrywyde74]

That's gonna depend on what type of coral you want to keep. It should be ok for some soft corals and maybe some lps, but will probably not support sps coral.

Take it SLOW and try some cheap frags first. You don't want to go and buy a $200 frag and have it die.

I prefer soft and lps corals to sps, I like to see the movement in the tank.

Thank you for the Reply. I have no idea what a soft or lps coral is. I wanted to have a couple clowns and an anime. I like the Xenias a lot from reading and YouTube videos.

 

[JeepinReefer]

Soft corals do not create a calcium carbonate skeleton. They include corals like xenia, green star polyps, leather corals, and zoanthids, etc. LPS and SPS are hobby acronyms for two types of stony corals, large polyp stony corals, and small polyp stony corals, respectively. Stony corals generate a calcium carbonate skeleton. A polyp is basically the tentacle and mouth structure of a coral. Most corals have many polyps together in what would be considered a colony. Some stony corals have large and some have small polyps. LPS examples include brain, hammer, torch, and flowerpot corals. SPS examples include branching, encrusting, and plating varieties such as acropora, montipora, seriatopora, etc. In most simplistic terms, soft corals are easiest to keep, LPS in the middle, and SPS the most difficult. There are exceptions to this generalization. Welcome to R2R and the hobby!

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R and thanks for joining.

 

[g5flier]

R2R, Google and You Tube are your best friends, its crazy what you can learn by reading and watching videos.

 

[kntrywyde74]

Soft corals do not create a calcium carbonate skeleton. They include corals like xenia, green star polyps, leather corals, and zoanthids, etc. LPS and SPS are hobby acronyms for two types of stony corals, large polyp stony corals, and small polyp stony corals, respectively. Stony corals generate a calcium carbonate skeleton. A polyp is basically the tentacle and mouth structure of a coral. Most corals have many polyps together in what would be considered a colony. Some stony corals have large and some have small polyps. LPS examples include brain, hammer, torch, and flowerpot corals. SPS examples include branching, encrusting, and plating varieties such as acropora, montipora, seriatopora, etc. In most simplistic terms, soft corals are easiest to keep, LPS in the middle, and SPS the most difficult. There are exceptions to this generalization. Welcome to R2R and the hobby!

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Welcome to R2R. I found this thread with someone who has the same tank. Being that the spec v is originally sold for freshwater they changed a few things.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/white-fluval-spec-v-mixed-pico-reef.263860/

 

[kntrywyde74]

Thank you very much for welcoming me to the hobby! Much Appreciated!! So I understand a little of what you said. Can you tell me if an Anomne would be ok to have in my tank with two clownfish? Thank you

 

[Kamden Uelton]

7500k spectrum and corals? not gonna work sadly. You may be able to keep some soft corals with that lighting but no way a LPS.

 

[NeilW]

I think the advise to take things SLOW is right. You have the tank up and running a day. Get it settled and check the temp and Salinity before you look at adding anything. Tank will not be cycled so I suggest you start reading about that. I'm new to this forum myself but looking around there is a wealth of resources to support you. There is a thread on cycling here
I would initially stay clear of corals and anemones for a while. Soft corals would be where to start with Corals. Anemones are better in a more mature aquarium so best to wait 6 months or so before going down that route.

 

[kntrywyde74]

Welcome to R2R. I found this thread with someone who has the same tank. Being that the spec v is originally sold for freshwater they changed a few things.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/white-fluval-spec-v-mixed-pico-reef.263860/

Thank you very much!!

 

[K. Steven]

Start with this:

 

[kntrywyde74]

I think the advise to take things SLOW is right. You have the tank up and running a day. Get it settled and check the temp and Salinity before you look at adding anything. Tank will not be cycled so I suggest you start reading about that. I'm new to this forum myself but looking around there is a wealth of resources to support you. There is a thread on cycling here
I would initially stay clear of corals and anemones for a while. Soft corals would be where to start with Corals. Anemones are better in a more mature aquarium so best to wait 6 months or so before going down that route.

Oh! Plan to wait for awhile on the Anemone for quiet awhile. The premixed ocean water I bough is all natural sea water from the Pacific Ocean. At least that is what the box said. I did order the tool to test the salinity last night from Amazon. I figured being my first time Saltwater Tank that premix would be the best way to go. I thank you for all your advice and help...

 

[kntrywyde74]

Welcome to reef2reef!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

Thank you so much...

 

[JeepinReefer]

Thank you very much for welcoming me to the hobby! Much Appreciated!! So I understand a little of what you said. Can you tell me if an Anomne would be ok to have in my tank with two clownfish? Thank you

It's ok. Just keep asking questions like you are, and you'll be on the right track! The most important thing for a new hobbyist to learn about is the nitrogen cycle. Basically, fish and animal waste in an aquarium is toxic to them, and the aquarium needs to be cycled for it to be safe for them. Check out some of the links others posted about the cycle. An anemone should only come later once the tank is more mature and you know that the aquarium has the support it needs. Just like corals, not all anemones are the same and some are more challenging to keep than others. Clownfish are a wise and common place to start.

 

[kntrywyde74]

Google and R2R is your best friend, its crazy what you can learn by reading.

Ty. I have been reading and YouTubing a lot lately. Thank you for the advice...