start up help plz

Lovge · Mar 17, 2013

Hi all, I have recently gotten an Oceanic BC29 and im trying to assemble everything else im going to need so when im ready to add seawater i have everything i need and wont have any unnecessary issues.

as far as water Im unsure as to what kind of test kits i need, as well as additives. I know for freshwater tanks they have an all inclusive master test kit but I fail to find something like that for saltwater tanks.

my first additions that I am planing on will be some zoa's a couple clowns and some form of anemone as well as the clean up crew. Any info will be helpful.

I also am not sure as to what kind of creatures I should be utilizing for my CUC. I have seen alot of mentions about not using hermits however most CUC packages I have seen include quite a few hermits.

Thank you in advance

Flamed_Razor · Mar 17, 2013

You would need ammonia, nitrate, nitrite test kits for starters, but I would 't worry about the CUC just yet. You have plenty of time to figure out what to get while the tank is cycling. I just have cerith and nassarius snails for CUC.

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

mike007 · Mar 17, 2013

Redsea makes very good tset kits. Some of the cheap ones just are not very accurate. Go slow and add things a little at a time so your tank can acclimate. Be sure you don't overfeed.

Lovge · Mar 17, 2013

hey tyguys. i have read that i need kalkswesser or what ever? what exactly is this?

Pappy · Mar 17, 2013

I would also get an alkalinity, magnesium, and calcium test kit along with the ones mentioned above. As far as which I would suggest API for everything but mg. API is cheapest and just as accurate as you will need it for starting out. As far as kalkwasser it is something you will not need for a while IMO. It is a additive that will help stabilize alk and ca. But u will not need to worry about using until your tank is fully stocked. Generally all parameters will stay stable with regular water changes. I would also suggest as far as salt goes start with cheap such as instant ocean and reef crystals. Def consider getting an rodi unit to make your own water it's a lot easier than going to store for water all the time ime! Hope this helps!