New to the hobby

[David Nguyen]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this hobby and so far I have no corals or fish but I'm already hooked. I've setup my 40g AIO tank and just been letting it cycle. It's almost been 3.5 weeks. I started with dry rocks. In my chambers I have in the back are some carbon, bio balls, heater and nano protein skimmer. Looking into getting a kessil light. Thinking about doing a mix fish and coral tank. Please let me know if you have any tips or help for me. I would appreciate some help with how my rocks are setup. Does it look like it's too much?

 

[rich nyc]

nice. Welcome here and good luck. Watch out it is very addictive.

 

[kschweer]

Looking good!!! Welcome!

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

You seem like you're really on the right track. I'll say, from experience, you're going to rethink that rock structure in a couple of months. It looks fine right now, but you're definitely going to want to set something up that lets fish swim through it.

 

[Oceanwave45]

Look good! And welcome! I've learned to be patient with this hobby! Remember your tank will go through several stages it's normal be patient.. I know easier said than done! Just a small suggestion you may want open up your rock it will help give fish caves and allow circulation! Your rock is your best filter!! Great job thus far!!!

 

[David Nguyen]

Look good! And welcome! I've learned to be patient with this hobby! Remember your tank will go through several stages it's normal be patient.. I know easier said than done! Just a small suggestion you may want open up your rock it will help give fish caves and allow circulation! Your rock is your best filter!! Great job thus far!!!

Thanks for your suggestion. If I open it up which I'm okay with, I may need to eliminate some rocks. Don't I need 1 to 1 ratio on rocks and gallon size?

 

[David Nguyen]

You seem like you're really on the right track. I'll say, from experience, you're going to rethink that rock structure in a couple of months. It looks fine right now, but you're definitely going to want to set something up that lets fish swim through it.

I like the suggestion on letting the fish swim through so I need to open it up. I may need to elimnate some rocks. Will that be okay? Thought I need enough rocks in their for bacteria purposes.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Thanks for your suggestion. If I open it up which I'm okay with, I may need to eliminate some rocks. Don't I need 1 to 1 ratio on rocks and gallon size?

That's the typical rule of thumb, but that can fluctuate depending on your stocking choices. You can go light on your rock in the display area and figure out a solution later if you wish.

 

[David Nguyen]

That's the typical rule of thumb, but that can fluctuate depending on your stocking choices. You can go light on your rock in the display area and figure out a solution later if you wish.

Does and will my bio cubes act like live rocks were bacteria will just live on that?

 

[Oceanwave45]

Thanks for your suggestion. If I open it up which I'm okay with, I may need to eliminate some rocks. Don't I need 1 to 1 ratio on rocks and gallon size?

Yeah that's what "they" say but I have seen people do both lean and heavy rock.

Google saltwater aquascapes see what others have done!

 

[Oceanwave45]

Yeah that's what "they" say but I have seen people do both lean and heavy rock.

Google saltwater aquascapes see what others have done!

Oh and they make saltwater grade adhesive too that may help

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Cherub]

welcome, nice start!

 

[David Nguyen]

Took some advice and opened up the rocks for better circulation and caves for the fishes.

 

[David Nguyen]

Took some advice and opened up the rocks for better circulation and caves for the fishes.

I did have to elimnate some rocks.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Looks really good! The last thing I'd point out is to make sure you've checked the stability of all of them. It's difficult to tell from the picture, but the two rocks in the top left look like they could be easily kicked over.

 

[David Nguyen]

Looks really good! The last thing I'd point out is to make sure you've checked the stability of all of them. It's difficult to tell from the picture, but the two rocks in the top left look like they could be easily kicked over.

Thank you for the concern. I did check it and it's pretty stable.

I did have to elimnate some rocks.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Good deal, man. Seems like you're ready to rock & roll!

 

[DSC reef]

Welcome to R2R, very nice tank. You'll find a lot of good info and people here to help you out.

 

[Salty1962]

Welcome to R2R!