Newbie - About to purchase a tank

[Philly Reefer]

Welcome to R2R.
Do you have a list of stuff that you want? Here are few essentials:

1. Salt - check your LFS and ask them which salt they always have. Buying salt per bucket from LFS is cheaper usually than online.(weight)
2. RODI - are you going to get RODI? If you do, I suggest get the one that you can upgrade in the future (BRS, Spectrapure, etc)
3. Refractometer and the solutions. I recently found out that the solutions that I 1st bought is inaccurate. Ask your LFS if you can have them test the refractometer.
4. Mixing station. Most of us use brute buckets. I have 2 of the grey on from home depot.
5. Powerhead or cheap return pump for the mixing station.
6. Heaters
7. Test kits!!! Redsea has their foundation test kit that will be useful for you to start if you want a package deal

There might be some more I forgot. But yeah create a build thread.

 

[KathyB1212]

Bottom rock? Do you mean base rock? Base rock is usually cheap dry rock that you place down and put live rock in on top of. Base rock will eventually become live once the things living on the live rock grow over on to it.

Yes. That’s what u meant. Thanks did helping me correct the term.

 

[Billldg]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[j.falk]

Yes. That’s what u meant. Thanks did helping me correct the term.

Base rock is also usually dusty so make sure you rinse it off really well before adding it to a tank. I use tap water to rinse and then add it directly to the tank.

 

[Fred2482]

Ps - just saltwater enough to cover it all? Someone suggested putting in a dead shrimp?

I just cover with saltwater, I personally don't add ammonia source while letting the rock get a head start. I add ammonia source directly to Display tank when ready.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Welcome to R2R! I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice for the tank.
Since your new to this I have some advice.

1. Buy a refractometer
2. Get a ro/di unit with auto shut off and a brute trash can.
3. API test kits are not recommended.
4. Buy a well rated or quality power head. Tunze, Vortech, or maxpect. Come to mind.
5. Set a schedule. Like water change of 8 gallons every other Monday, clean pumps every first of the month. That kind of thing.
6. Qt your fish. I can’t recommend this enough.
Since your buying an all in one it will come with everything you need. You can decide what rock you want to use and start curing it in the brute trash can. Use a shrimp and save your money on the bottled bacteria. BRS has some great videos on cycling. I am including a link for you to one of my favorites. Good luck and start a build thread.

The BRS/WWC Hybrid 4-month SPS tank cycle - The BRS/WWC System Ep12 - BRStv

Today Ryan explains how we plan to cycle our BRS/WWC Hybrid System tanks and, as much as it hurts to wait, why a 4-month cycle is probably the most stable and simple way to create a stunning SPS dominant tank! #BRSWWC #reefingmethods Need a tank cycle starter kit? This week you can WIN one...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Cell]

The rock conversation is rather lengthy and nuanced. If the rock was in the ocean or an aquarium previously, then it will likely have dead organics on it that will break down during curing and provide an ammonia source. In this case, you will need to do semi frequent water changes to keep the ammonia low while the rock cures until the dead organics are released and removed. If its brand new, clean dry rock, then you will need an external ammonia source to cycle.

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Cell]

If you havent found them yet, the stickies on this page will be incredibly helpful as you begin your journey:

New to Saltwater & Reef Aquariums? Post Here

If you're new to the Saltwater Hobby and have questions please post them here. So you finally decided to take the plunge. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask!

www.reef2reef.com

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[hogger555]

Hi Everyone

I'm Kathy, new to the forum, new to all of this. I've done a lot of reading and am ready to start and can use some help or advice. I'm going to go with an AIO and am going back and forth between a Waterbox 60.3 and a JBJ rimless 65. Any pros or cons?

Also, is bottom rock the same as dry rock? I'm finding rock at all sorts of places at various prices. I'm guessing I need to go with Dry and cure it to make sure I'm not getting any bad hitchers. Since I'm new I wouldn't want to put my first tank in jeopardy.

And if there are some nice reefers who want to help me through the curing process, I'd appreciate it. I'm trying to decide if I should cure in tank or in a bin to speed things up while I wait on a tank (they all seem out of stock - is it COVID??!!).
The curing process seems a bit overwelming as far as what I can put in there to help it along and also what equipment needs to be running while I cure - heater, pump, etc.? The house is at a good temperature - 72/73. It's all expensive so trying to add on components as I will need them. I'll need some thoughts on the testing process - strips, circles, dials? What's easiest and best to know how my tank is coming along?

Lastly, I'll need some help with the electronics - brining them together as I cannot stand a lot of cords and mess. I'd like things to be organized and wifi/smart home if possible.

Maybe I'm asking too much? Honestly - I'm not high maintenance - promise!

Thanks

Welcome!

I think what you are referring to when you say "cure" is to cycle your tank. You don't have to cure dry rock. As far as understanding your cycle, I highly recommend reading this thread:

The microbiology of reef tank cycling.

You can skip your cycle. Ive been reefing online for twenty years and have never waited one second for a tank to cycle, because I buy rocks that are already cycled and move them home. Here's two: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/octo-high-end-sps-skip-cycle-build.713256/...

www.reef2reef.com

I just got through my cycle and this helped me tremendously. I've never had a JBJ tank before, but I just got a Waterbox Frag 105.4 and its great! Shipping was easy, packaging was well done, setup was a breeze, quality is top notch, and customer service is great! Here is my build thread:

Build Thread - Waterbox Frag 105.4, getting back into the hobby

I've been out of the hobby for about 4 years and have finally gotten back into it, and I'm currently on day 9 of my cycle and trying to be patient. I'm planning on doing an SPS dominant tank. What do you guys think?

www.reef2reef.com

 

[KathyB1212]

Welcome to R2R! I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice for the tank.
Since your new to this I have some advice.

1. Buy a refractometer
2. Get a ro/di unit with auto shut off and a brute trash can.
3. API test kits are not recommended.
4. Buy a well rated or quality power head. Tunze, Vortech, or maxpect. Come to mind.
5. Set a schedule. Like water change of 8 gallons every other Monday, clean pumps every first of the month. That kind of thing.
6. Qt your fish. I can’t recommend this enough.
Since your buying an all in one it will come with everything you need. You can decide what rock you want to use and start curing it in the brute trash can. Use a shrimp and save your money on the bottled bacteria. BRS has some great videos on cycling. I am including a link for you to one of my favorites. Good luck and start a build thread.

The BRS/WWC Hybrid 4-month SPS tank cycle - The BRS/WWC System Ep12 - BRStv

Today Ryan explains how we plan to cycle our BRS/WWC Hybrid System tanks and, as much as it hurts to wait, why a 4-month cycle is probably the most stable and simple way to create a stunning SPS dominant tank! #BRSWWC #reefingmethods Need a tank cycle starter kit? This week you can WIN one...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Thanks - what’s a builder thread? It’s it a post that shows the evolution?

 

[hogger555]

Thanks - what’s a builder thread? It’s it a post that shows the evolution?

It's a thread of your own that tells the story of your tank.

 

[mijan]

 

[Weasel1960]

Welcome to the reef. I am new here and the hobby as well. Yes a lot of low stock is related to COVID lots of folks starting new hobbies. Check out threads here and videos on Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) for info they have good ones on Aquascaping. I am going to do most of mine dry so I can glue it in manageable sections then put it in a tub to cure while I build my tank stand.

 

[SPR1968]

Hi Kathy, Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[KathyB1212]

Welcome to the reef. I am new here and the hobby as well. Yes a lot of low stock is related to COVID lots of folks starting new hobbies. Check out threads here and videos on Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) for info they have good ones on Aquascaping. I am going to do most of mine dry so I can glue it in manageable sections then put it in a tub to cure while I build my tank stand.

Hi - you are going to glue your Rock to get it into the shapes you want? The. Soak it? Are you using a hit glue gun or what product? Maybe I should look that up.

 

[CelestEel]

 

[scdigby]

Hello Kathy, and welcome to R2R!

 

[Weasel1960]

Hi - you are going to glue your Rock to get it into the shapes you want? The. Soak it? Are you using a hit glue gun or what product? Maybe I should look that up.

Hi. I am going to use dry rock. I will make an aquarium mockup out of cardboard and PVC pipe so I ”stay in the lines”. I will use BRS thick glue or equal for basic connections then use mortar to make them stronger. After that I will start the curing process before I put in tank to save some time.

BRS has a lot of videos on this subject, do‘s and do nots, products....give them a look.