Total noob here. Need major advice

wtusa1783 · Sep 10, 2020

I love freshwater and am thinking of getting into salt. If I got a bio cube 32, what else would I need? I’m talking everything. I have no clue about saltwater other than it’s expensive. I would also like to do some easy easy corals. I need a boat load of help and suggestions here. Thanks in advance

lapin · Sep 10, 2020

Fresh to salt not a problem.

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

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BeltedCoyote · Sep 10, 2020

Most people will recommend a skimmer that will fit in one of the compartments. You’ll also want a dependable auto top off (ato). The corals you want to keep will determine what type of lighting you need. You’ll also need some source of flow. Either an oversized return pump or a powerhead.

one thing I’ve found to be helpful with planning is determining What your livestock goals are (corals, inverts, fish). From there you’ll find that it’ll narrow down your equipment choices to what caters specifically to your tank’s needs.

wtusa1783 · Sep 10, 2020

lapin said:
Fresh to salt not a problem.

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

What about tap water vs ro? Here are my water parameters

wtusa1783 · Sep 10, 2020

BeltedCoyote said:
Most people will recommend a skimmer that will fit in one of the compartments. You’ll also want a dependable auto top off (ato). The corals you want to keep will determine what type of lighting you need. You’ll also need some source of flow. Either an oversized return pump or a powerhead.

one thing I’ve found to be helpful with planning is determining What your livestock goals are (corals, inverts, fish). From there you’ll find that it’ll narrow down your equipment choices to what caters specifically to your tank’s needs.

For livestock I was thinking a pair of clowns, some damsels, and a shrimp

lapin · Sep 10, 2020

wtusa1783 said:
What about tap water vs ro? Here are my water parameters

There are many tanks set up with tap water.

lapin · Sep 10, 2020

Oh ya howdy

Pistondog · Sep 10, 2020

wtusa1783 said:
I love freshwater and am thinking of getting into salt. If I got a bio cube 32, what else would I need? I’m talking everything. I have no clue about saltwater other than it’s expensive. I would also like to do some easy easy corals. I need a boat load of help and suggestions here. Thanks in advance

Welcome wtusa1783,
You've come to the right place for help
Browse the build threads and forums for ideas
Ask questions about your tank

BeltedCoyote · Sep 10, 2020

wtusa1783 said:
For livestock I was thinking a pair of clowns, some damsels, and a shrimp

That’s a good list. Any idea about corals? Or do you need some info on beginner corals (nothing wrong if you do, we all start not really knowing. Learning is as big of a part of this hobby as everything else)

also, welcome to R2R!!

wtusa1783 · Sep 10, 2020

lapin said:
There are many tanks set up with tap water.

Why does everyone say ro is a must? Is it possible for me to have clowns, damsels, shrimp, and easy corals with tap?

wtusa1783 · Sep 10, 2020

BeltedCoyote said:
That’s a good list. Any idea about corals? Or do you need some info on beginner corals (nothing wrong if you do, we all start not really knowing. Learning is as big of a part of this hobby as everything else)

also, welcome to R2R!!

I don’t know a single name of any corals lol. Just ones that are cheap and hardy to start that will grow easily with the biocube light

BeltedCoyote · Sep 10, 2020

wtusa1783 said:
Why does everyone say ro is a must? Is it possible for me to have clowns, damsels, shrimp, and easy corals with tap?

it is possible, you just have to treat the water with something like Prime before putting it in the tank. People recommend RODI because it’s just a bit easier in the long run if you are in a situation where you can feasibly run an RODI. That and RODI units typically take care of the various elements and chemicals in most tap water that are detrimental to our aquatic friends

BeltedCoyote · Sep 10, 2020

wtusa1783 said:
I don’t know a single name of any corals lol. Just ones that are cheap and hardy to start that will grow easily with the biocube light

say no more! Here are a few videos from a well known and well respected coral farmer and vendor:

wtusa1783 · Sep 10, 2020

BeltedCoyote said:
it is possible, you just have to treat the water with something like Prime before putting it in the tank. People recommend RODI because it’s just a bit easier in the long run if you are in a situation where you can feasibly run an RODI. That and RODI units typically take care of the various elements and chemicals in most tap water that are detrimental to our aquatic friends

Do you need to add anything to the ro before mixing salt like you do with freshwater?

BeltedCoyote · Sep 10, 2020

wtusa1783 said:
Do you need to add anything to the ro before mixing salt like you do with freshwater?

to my knowledge, no as long as your RODI unit isn’t in need of a resin and cartridge Change.

wtusa1783 · Sep 10, 2020

BeltedCoyote said:
to my knowledge, no as long as your RODI unit isn’t in need of a resin and cartridge Change.

Would you recommend getting saltwater from my lfs or ro water and mix myself?

wtusa1783 · Sep 10, 2020

BeltedCoyote said:
Most people will recommend a skimmer that will fit in one of the compartments. You’ll also want a dependable auto top off (ato). The corals you want to keep will determine what type of lighting you need. You’ll also need some source of flow. Either an oversized return pump or a powerhead.

one thing I’ve found to be helpful with planning is determining What your livestock goals are (corals, inverts, fish). From there you’ll find that it’ll narrow down your equipment choices to what caters specifically to your tank’s needs.

Would I need an auto top off with the biocube since it has a tight fitting lid?

BeltedCoyote · Sep 10, 2020

wtusa1783 said:
Would I need an auto top off with the biocube since it has a tight fitting lid?

a lot will cut down on evaporation, but it won’t completely eliminate it so I’d say yeah, you probably still want one

BeltedCoyote · Sep 10, 2020

wtusa1783 said:
Would you recommend getting saltwater from my lfs or ro water and mix myself?

Either option would work. But in the long run it’ll most likely save you money to mix your own salt water

lapin · Sep 10, 2020

wtusa1783 said:
Do you need to add anything to the ro before mixing salt like you do with freshwater?

By "freshwater" do you mean tap water?
If you mean tap water like city water, you dechlor it.

The rodi unit does that for you so no added chemicals are needed.