New to the hobby

[Drea'sReef]

I have just got into the hobby, and I have a 75g glass tank. I am looking for any advice to help get started!

 

[Kimberlee]

Hi, welcome to the madness, best advice I can give is read a lot and have an idea of what your long term goals are for your tank. Knowing what you want will help you plan you equipment to get the best out of it. Oh and frags are easier to hide from a spouce than whole colonies, when the frag grow up they just think it was always there

 

[glb]

Welcome! You've come to the right place to learn. Never be afraid to ask questions. Everyone's here to help!

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Welcome!

 

[Drea'sReef]

Thanks everyone! About how long should I cycle the water before I can add live rock?

 

[AquaAngel]

Live rock (and sand) can go in right away. It will have some die off and can easily cause another cycle if you add it later so you might as well just do it at once.

 

[Drea'sReef]

Thanks! What about coral frags? I've had the live sand and some "dead" rock in there for a couple of days now. (I cycled the rock for a few weeks in a separate container with a few power heads on them to try and clean them up) I am wanting to mix the live rock with what I already have.

Can I start putting snails or crabs in there now, or should I wait?

 

[eliramos]

Wait a a few more days so theyve been in your tank for like a week or so
Get your water tested before you buy the crabs and snails. If it checks out good get the the inverts then wait a few a little bit more and start the fish slowly you dont want to add to many because it will cause another cycle and could stress/kill the new fish.
Also before adding the corals make sure you have the propper lighting and flow and that your rocks are in a stable position, dont want to lose a frag cuz of an unstable rock.

 

[glb]

I agree that you should add all the live rock now before you add any inverts. The rocks will jump start the cycle with die off. Good luck!

 

[Drea'sReef]

Thanks everyone. I have 3 power heads in there on a power strip timer/wave maker. As far as the lights go. I have an old coralife light with double actinic in the front and single in the rear with two moonlight LEDs.

How often should I have the lights on?