New to Saltwater Fishkeeping, looking for startup help!

[Pandicorn]

Hello everybody! I am new to saltwater aquariums, but have a fairly extensive knowledge of freshwater fish (3 tanks). I am looking to start a new reef tank?(Not sure about corals/lighting etc), and am looking for startup information. Is cycling the same? I imagine I can't seed my filter (live rock? sump? ???) with my freshwater filter media. Thank you so much!

 

[Doclight]

1st of all.. Welcome to the fold..
2nd of all... I hope your a good reader. A blanket open ended question such as that is like playing with dynamite. Your going to get a lot of answers..

My suggestion is, Look through these forums. You can search just about everything. There are some great guides to getting started. Bulk reef supply 52 weeks of reefing is a good video series.

And no, your freshwater equipment is generally made for freshwater. Saltwater is very different. But well worth the challenge.

 

[Jason mack]

Welcome too R2R this article should help you !!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/
Patience and research are your biggest friends in this hobby .. happy Reefing !

 

[Pandicorn]

Thanks! Currently I've read some of the startup guides on this forum, as well as some others, and to my understanding I need the tank (duh), LEDs for corals, powerheads for flow, skimmers for... skimming? And thats about all for the hardware? And then Live rock for cycling/structure? Is there anything I am missing? I am looking around on craigslist right now, and am wondering if this is a good deal? https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/for/d/solana-34-gallon-bullnose-all/6407558430.html Thanks so much!

 

[Jason mack]

Yes your missing a few things ..
refractometer or something too measure your salinity
Rodi unit for water
Test kits to start with
Ammonia, nitrite,nitrate Then later
Calc ,alk,po4 ,mag

 

[Jason mack]

Thanks! Currently I've read some of the startup guides on this forum, as well as some others, and to my understanding I need the tank (duh), LEDs for corals, powerheads for flow, skimmers for... skimming? And thats about all for the hardware? And then Live rock for cycling/structure? Is there anything I am missing? I am looking around on craigslist right now, and am wondering if this is a good deal? https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/for/d/solana-34-gallon-bullnose-all/6407558430.html Thanks so much!

Couldn’t say if it’s good for the price ,I’m from Holland so not sure what you guys pay for things .. but the tank and lights and skimmer are good !

 

[Pandicorn]

Ammonia, nitrite,nitrate Then later
Calc ,alk,po4 ,mag

Sorry for my ignorance, but do I need to add chemicals? Is this for corals or something?

Rodi unit for water

Also will prime + tapwater not work? Or is RO water required?

 

[Fudsey]

RO/DI is not required but well worth it. You will get dissolved solids in tap water that will add things you don't want to your water.

The RedSea marine test kit is a good start to test parameters ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and alkalinity
Corals require calcium, magnesium and low phosphates to thrive. You will need the RedSea foundation kit to measure calcium and magnesium.
You don't need to get that kit yet. Most everyone will recommend a Hanna test kit for Phosphates. I use a Hanna phosphorus for ultra low readings and the Hanna alkalinity tester but the RedSea Pro kit for Cal., Mag. and pH

And WELCOME to R2R ! ! !

 

[glb]

Read about the nitrogen cycle in the ‘supreme guide’ stickie. Basically, you add ammonia to the tank and eventually enough bacteria converts it into nitrites then nitrates. The bacteria are already in the water and air but I takes a while to start the cycle. You can add a beneficial bacteria starter (Dr. Tim’s One and Only is a good one) to speed things up. The cycle might take several weeks or even a month without help from added bacteria. Even with it, it probably won’t cycle overnight. Good luck.