Gazza Nano Log - Salty Fun

[garry_boyd3]

HI,

I have been readin up on Marine tanks, & have found a very good price for an Orca 450 + stand. The reason for looking at this tank is the info that other people have got from this site (thanks very much). I have been looking at starter kits, e.g live sand, Hydrometer, test kits etc. Can you guy give me your opion on which would be the best or should I buy everything separate?

Ta very much in advance,

Gazza.

 

[seffieuk]

Don't buy a starter kit, you will pay through the nose and not get the best products

Seffie x

 

[Truck]

HI,

I have been readin up on Marine tanks, & have found a very good price for an Orca 450 + stand. The reason for looking at this tank is the info that other people have got from this site (thanks very much). I have been looking at starter kits, e.g live sand, Hydrometer, test kits etc. Can you guy give me your opion on which would be the best or should I buy everything separate?

Ta very much in advance,

Gazza.

for the tank i would go for the orca 450's brother the 550! its 130 litres, and you will be able to stock more!

as for starter kits as seffie said, dont bother waste of time and you get a crap product, if you want a reef tank with corals go with a reef salt, and instead of a hydrometer go for a refractometer! and for test kits go for saliferts.

dont use live sand its a gimick coral sand is good!

 

[Kipperhips]

Hi Gazza and welcome to the money pit!

i have the tl550 annd let me state i was in the market for a 450 ,,,then i read up on the upgrades i would have needed to make to
it to do what basically the tl550 does standard...
this forum is a great place to learn and make friends,so welcome!

Kip

 

[garry_boyd3]

Thanks to all for info. I will now go look at the 550 & look at the size. I have limited space, but if I get rid of some of the wife stuff it should fit I am sure it will cost me though...

I ahve read quite a ferw of the treads & understand alot more.. but will come back with questiosn. Once again thanks for your help.

 

[garry_boyd3]

Hi, I have been reading up alittle more. I notice that it has been suggested to use live rubble in the filter for the Orca 550 instead of the ceramics & balls. Would this work properly because it will not have a direct link to the light. I presume that live rock/rubble bacteria needs light?

Many thank in advance.

Gazza.

 

[john.o]

I can't really comment specifically on the orca as I have the DD 24G,
But i personally would go with adding macro-algae, {Chaeto} rather than live rock rubble to one of the rear chambers to export Nitrates & phosphates, you will also need to add some lighting, on a 24 x 7 cycle. The added advantage of this is it also helps to stabiles any PH swings between night n day.
As I said I have a D&D 24g so I can’t comment on how you would go about adding a light on your tank, but if it has the same type of black plastic stick on material on the back of the tank as the D&D all you do is cut it with a sharp knife and peel it off the glass then place a small light behind the tank. {Don’t know} perhaps some one with an orca can give details if they have made the mod

 

[seffieuk]

Hi, I have been reading up alittle more. I notice that it has been suggested to use live rubble in the filter for the Orca 550 instead of the ceramics & balls. Would this work properly because it will not have a direct link to the light. I presume that live rock/rubble bacteria needs light?

Many thank in advance.

Gazza.

yeah, lr in the back sumps - light not an issue as you are not growing algae - if you want to grow algae you can add a small light

Seffie x

 

[Kipperhips]

Hi mate!
I have 3kg of LR in my fuge and also in 1 compartment i have Chaeto,,, good algae!i have a little light in there for the
Chaeto.i also have Rowaphos in my fuge.
i would recomend u put Rowaphos in your tank from day 1
this will keep phosphates to a minimum but if this is a new project from start ..Get it in there !!

 

[garry_boyd3]

HI, I have look into it & have decided to go for an Orca 550. Told my wife th diemsions, the eyes glazed over & away I go I went to the LFS today & they seemed quite expensive compared to the net. So I will be buying from the net. The below is all I need to look into now. THe LFS has said they give away first 50lt of RO water & then buy for £3 per £25 litre, also they sell already mixed 25lt for £5, was thinking og doing this initially & then buy the RO etc afterwards, would you recomend this way?


1. Live sand vs Coral Sand
2. How much live rock for the 550.
3. Refractometer
4. Koralia nono powerhead
5. Test kit, which do you recommend.
6. Marine Salt

Thanks to all.

Gazza

 

[seffieuk]

HI, I have look into it & have decided to go for an Orca 550. Told my wife th diemsions, the eyes glazed over & away I go I went to the LFS today & they seemed quite expensive compared to the net. So I will be buying from the net.

Yes, I bought mine and my sisters tank off the net - much better prices, in fact the link is somewhere, let me know if you want me to look it up for

The below is all I need to look into now. THe LFS has said they give away first 50lt of RO water & then buy for £3 per £25 litre, also they sell already mixed 25lt for £5, was thinking og doing this initially & then buy the RO etc afterwards, would you recomend this way?

No, buy yourself a £65 ro unit from RO man, simple to use and simple to fit


1. Live sand vs Coral Sand Don't by Live sand, it is a con. you will need a 20 lb bag
2. How much live rock for the 550. approx 17, remember some corals come on LR
3. Refractometer Yes, they are mostly all the same apart obviously from the lab quality ones. Buy off fleabay
4. Koralia nono powerhead Get a K2 off fleabay
5. Test kit, which do you recommend. Salifert
6. Marine Salt I use Tropic marine but people use many different ones, buy a big tub

Thanks to all.

Gazza

You have read mine and my sisters thread or Kipperhips, better still both - haven't you?

Seffie x

 

[john.o]

you can get a really good quality refractometer for £30 including delivery from a uk supplier here’s the link

http/www.reefstore.co.uk/deltec_refractometer.shtml

hope this helps

 

[garry_boyd3]

Thanks Seffie & John,O Yes Seffie I have read the thread & will be reading it again, no tests though please

If you know the link for the tank from the net, please supply. I have found that the average including stand is about £270.. I think I read the discussion to get underworld coral gravel, I think instead of Live sand, I will look for that on fleabay.

Thanks to all for the help. I will be ordering the tank this week & will find all the rest of the stuff over the next week or so. Can't wait.

Gazza.

 

[garry_boyd3]

Hi,

Can any suggest some good book? I have got one I have read & would like to read a couple more. I have read quite a few of the thread (Seffie & Trod are funny) & have "hopefully" a good understanding, but I am willing to read more.

I will be ordering my tank in the next week or so & then my journey through the Salty side wil begin.

Many thanks in advance,

Gazza.

 

[Truck]

Hi,

Can any suggest some good book? I have got one I have read & would like to read a couple more. I have read quite a few of the thread (Seffie & Trod are funny) & have "hopefully" a good understanding, but I am willing to read more.

I will be ordering my tank in the next week or so & then my journey through the Salty side wil begin.

Many thanks in advance,

Gazza.

THE BOOK name and author is mentioned on page 24/25 of seffie and trod thread "our journey to the salty side!"