What equipment do I need to prepare for my first corals?

[Bmr4Reef]

My tank has been going for just over a month. It's through the Nitrate cycle and I have it stocked with a couple clowns, couple shrimp and a large CUC.

I also have QT tank ready to go.

I currently only have an API marine testing kit which did me well for the first cycle.

My tank is 32 gallons so I plan on using an all in out dosing option, All-For-Reef.

I prefer numbers over colors so I planned on getting some Hanna testers.

• Ph
• Alkaline

Anything else? I plan on sticking with beginner friendly softies for awhile.

Thank you

​

 

[Rmckoy]

If you’re sticking to softies for now
I don’t think dosing will be required yet and regular water changes will be enough .
as for test kits .
I rarely ever test ph …
salinity , alk , cal , nitrates and phosphates .

alk , phosphorus - Hanna
Salinity - Hanna or refractometer
Cal , nitrates - salifert

 

[Lavey29]

It's best to let your tank build some biodiversity first. I went lights out first 3 months and then started with a few basic corals.

 

[Jekyl]

Full set of salifert tests. Nitrate, phosphate, alk, cal, mag

 

[SPR1968]

You can add corals as soon as your water parameters are at the correct levels and you can keep them there within certain margins, and this is a good general guide. You also need adequate lights of course

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

Depending on your knowledge that can be in the first few days, or weeks/months if your learning either is fine.

I rarely test pH (although it is monitored but it hardly changes within normal swings) in either of my systems but you certainly need to test salinity alkalinity calcium magnesium, nitrate and keep an eye out for raised phosphate (above 0.03 as its causes all sorts of issues)

Just remember don’t add anything until you’ve tested and found it’s needed. If not, don’t add it And you probably won’t need to add anything for sometime. In a tank that size, simple water changes may keep everything in line

 

[wonroc]

Im gonna skip to the final equipment.
A beer and a good chair.
Because if you dont enjoy it, dont do all the work.

 

[Just John]

Also a towel

 

[Rmckoy]

Im gonna skip to the final equipment.
A beer and a good chair.
Because if you dont enjoy it, dont do all the work.

This is probably the best equipment loswd so far .

how many hours per week are too many ?

 

[Just John]

I would recommend a Hanna checker for nitrate. The salifert test colors are light pink, a tiny bit lighter pink, another tiny bit lighter pink. I find it to be the toughest salifert test to measure with. Here is a fairly accurate picture I found online.

 

[Jubei2006]

Im gonna skip to the final equipment.
A beer and a good chair.
Because if you dont enjoy it, dont do all the work.

These are the two most overlooked pieces of equipment!! They provide observation and keep you hands out of the tank. BRAVO sir!!

 

[SPR1968]

Im gonna skip to the final equipment.
A beer and a good chair.
Because if you dont enjoy it, dont do all the work.

No your wrong, you need ‘a beer, and a chaser and a good sturdy chair’!

 

[Rmckoy]

No your wrong, you need ‘a beer, and a chaser and a good sturdy chair’!

Sturdy chair is needed depending how long you observe , and how many chasers are applied

 

[SPR1968]

Sturdy chair is needed depending how long you observe , and how many chasers are applied

Yes I know, in my case that’s why I said good sturdy chair! Lol

 

[Rmckoy]

I would recommend a Hanna checker for nitrate. The salifert test colors are light pink, a tiny bit lighter pink, another tiny bit lighter pink. I find it to be the toughest salifert test to measure with. Here is a fairly accurate picture I found online.

I prefer the salifert nitrate kit over most kits available .
imo it’s the easiest to read .
i haven’t tried the newest nitrate Hanna checker but the one I bought ( h1781) is the biggest pain in the butt .

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

Aside from quality test kits, a quality light, adequate filtration, and maybe powerheads for flow depends on your setup. Those are just off the top of my head without knowing what you have already in your current setup.

 

[Rmckoy]

Yes I know, in my case that’s why I said good sturdy chair! Lol

Our 230 gal is in our living room .
while we’re watching a movie my wife asks very often if I missed a part .
or why I bother turning the tv on to watch a movie if I stare into our aquarium instead .

if I would get paid by the hour for observing I would be happiest .

find the job you love and you will never feel like you’re being made to work

 

[Rmckoy]

The view from where I sit in our living room

 

[SPR1968]

Our 230 gal is in our living room .
while we’re watching a movie my wife asks very often if I missed a part .
or why I bother turning the tv on to watch a movie if I stare into our aquarium instead .

if I would get paid by the hour for observing I would be happiest .

find the job you love and you will never feel like you’re being made to work

I’ve got 2 big tanks in my living room, one of which is very big, so I agree with you completely

I get the most from all the programs and series I watch, because I have to watch them at least 4 times as I can’t remember what’s happened, because I’m actually staring at the tanks Oh and then I fall asleep anyway because of the need for the ‘sturdy chair’! Lol

Most nights the TV just goes off and I watch ’the ocean’…

Hey @Bmr4Reef hope your getting this is very addictive, oh and relaxing, and yes sorry we digress…..!

 

[Rmckoy]

I’ve got 2 big tanks in my living room, one of which is very big, so I agree with you completely

I get the most from all the programs and series I watch, because I have to watch them at least 4 times as I can’t remember what’s happened, because I’m actually staring at the tanks Oh and then I fall asleep anyway because of the need for the ‘sturdy chair’! Lol

Most nights the TV just goes off and I watch ’the ocean’…

Hey @Bmr4Reef hope your getting this is very addictive, oh and relaxing, and yes sorry we digress…..!

Ha ha …
Re watching episodes is apparently ny wife’s biggest pet peeve .
But it happens too often .

the ocean always has a interesting story to tell .
just close my eyes for a few mins at a time

the sound alone …..

 

[Bmr4Reef]

Aside from quality test kits, a quality light, adequate filtration, and maybe powerheads for flow depends on your setup. Those are just off the top of my head without knowing what you have already in your current setup.

I have a Fluval Flex 123L with a couple decent powerheads.