What all do i need to get next

[daltonr70]

Hello everybody thanks for checking this im new to the saltwater tanks. And i need some advice on what i need to get next for the tank tge rabk was set up 7/31/15

So far im running a 55 gallon tank
Penn Plax 1000 Canister Fliter
150 watt heater
10 lbs of live rock from LFS
60lbs of live sand from petco
I also have a thermometer
And a hydrometer for tge salt level
Along with just a simple cheep t5 light from home depot

Theres no fish nothing in the tank!!!

 

[Matt23469]

More live rock or at least buy some dry rock and add it so it will turn live.

 

[daltonr70]

How much more should i get i was going to add little by little

 

[seastar]

I'd get some more base rock in there for the live rock to seed. Do you have a salt water test kit yet? I bought a cheap API which Im told gets the job done but others in the hobby all have there favorites. Also, have you gone through the getting started guide here? It helped me a boatload to understand the cycling process and what to expect.

 

[Matt23469]

I think the rule is 1 1/2 - 2 lb per gallon. You can get dry rock from lots of places. I think reef cleaners is like 50 lb for $80-90

 

[seastar]

How much more should i get i was going to add little by little

supposed to end up around 1lbs per gallon

 

[D maul]

Buying good test kits is very important.

 

[daltonr70]

I have not got the test kit i plan on getting that when i get paid i was going to get more live rock from lfs i was thinking maybe 10 more pounds the getting started quide never seen it i dont think lol

 

[Matt23469]

I had 80 lb in my old 56g tank with no sump just hang on and can filters

 

[daltonr70]

Matt do u sugest adding a HOB fliter along with the canister KFS said i need that to push my GPH up to 500

 

[seastar]

https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/291/ I called it the wrong thing, it's "The Supreme Guide to setting up a Saltwater Reef Aquarium".

 

[Matt23469]

Don't depend on your filters for flow you will need power head/wavemakers for that.

 

[daltonr70]

Yes ive seen that guide if i get a hob fliter shoukd i use all the fliter media that comes with it right niw in my canister i have floss pads a course sponge and the carbon

 

[daltonr70]

Also when should i get a protein skimmer and is they one yawl recommend

 

[Matt23469]

Your rock and sand will do your filtration. Your can filter will be just for polishing your water and what ever chemical filtration you want. Just make sure you clean it out at least once a month to get all the trapped food and gunk out.

 

[Matt23469]

I used this one or you could get the next size up depending on how much you put in your tank