Total Newb here =)

[Roxy]

Hello all and thanks for having me!!
I have been into FW tanks for sometime now but as my kids are getting older we decided to start our very first SW! I guess you can call it a nano SW, it is a 30Gal, currently cycling with nothing but live sand and water, I would appreciate any and all advise to a complete newb to the hobby!

I am in the Western US...nice and dry and absolutely no saltwater anything here so the internet is my best shopping source...any good website suggestions for supplies and marine life?:bigsmile:

Our house currently boasts what friends call "The Ark" of animals...we have a good mixture here and love all of them as our family, not our pets...even the ones with fins and scales!

I am not great at "selling" myself so if anyone has questions please...ask away!

Thanks again for having me here to ask and learn!

 

[LP4]

Hi Roxy, we started a salt water talk for the kids about 8 months ago as well. It's been a lot of fun and we've definitely all enjoyed it.

What are your goals? Are you planning to keep fish only or are you getting coral.

Here are my tips. I'm a big fan of drsfostersandsmith.com and Amazon.com for buying equipment.

Bigger fan of liveaquaria.com for live stock.

Regarding tips. Get DC pumps as opposed to AC pumps due to flexibility and clicking noises as they turn on and off. The goal is to have random flow throughout the tank with no dead spots.

Also a huge fan of Apex if you decide to buy an aquarium controller.

I had a bad experience using Kelkwasser with my Auto top off, I would advise you to stay away and opt for a 2 part solution when / if you start dosing.

This might be more then you were ready for at the moment. I'd be happy to clarify anything or offer more advice. Just let me know how I can help.

Good Luck!

 

[macscale]

Welcome to R2R!
The saltwater/reef hobby is quite a rollercoaster and it's really fun.
The most obvious site would be live aquaria but they get $$$$$.
I'd suggest checking the R2R sponsors because they are all amazing. There is a wide range of selection and you can be sure they won't disapoint.

Welcome and have fun!

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Mike J.]

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef. Check out the members tanks section for ideas for your size tank. Don't be afraid to ask questions here first. Don't exclusively trust the advise from your local fish store; they want to sell you stuff. Above all, take it slow.

 

[kschweer]

Welcome! All great advice above. Next step in my mind for you would be to get some live rock for your tank. Adding it may cause a small cycle so it would be best to do early and especially before you get any livestock. Best of luck!

 

[mike007]

Welcome to r2r!!!

 

[Roxy]

Thanks everyone!! I am completely excited to learn as much as possible...Amazon has been my go to for supplies thus far, I have an idea of what livestock I want but they will come much later....I am having a blast looking through all the sponsors, Amazing! can anyone suggest a good source for a live rock? just one to begin the seeding process? most places i have been to so far sell in 20-30 lb boxes...I am not really sure I want that much in my tank for the moment! as I said above I only have the live sand and the water cycling in there, I have the T5 lighting system, a 100w heater with controller, an aquaclear HOB 50 and a marineland 360 canister for good flow they are on opposite sides of the tank,I have a smaller tank to be used as a sump but I am not quite sure it is needed just yet:angel: as of now my tank seems to be in good parameters and of course this will change with additions, we have been leaning on the clownfish, i would love a bristle star in there as well as the clean up crew, I am in love with the Zoas but are there a better choice for the other livestock I am wanting? I know the clowns need anemones, is there a particular one that is better for them?

also...because this is the meet and greet, is there a different foprum I should be asking these questions in? I don't want to hog up the "welcome" forum for other new members!

Thanks again everyone for having me and the warm welcome!

 

[VelasCorals]

Welcome! This place rocks!

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Welcome to R2R!!! Good luck with your journey!!

 

[LP4]

Someone else please chime in here but I think you need 1-1.5 pounds of live rock per gallon in your tank to build up a healthy quantity of beneficial bacteria before you add any livestock. It will probably need about 3 weeks to cycle. First your ammonia will spike as everything dies, then your nitrite followed by nitrate. Once all three go to 0 you'll be ready to add your clowns.

I also know that anemone's need an established tank. We tried getting one maybe 3 months in and it decided to crawl itself under a rock and die.

The key to this hobby in my opinion is to do a lot of research so that you know all that you can before you buy. Your live stock is depending on you to make a nice home for them.