Shelby's Diary

[Shelby]

So, I couldn't wait until Tuesday next for the tank. Had to go pick it up today. Originally we thouht it was an 80 gallon but it's actually only a 70 gallon. Brought it back and put in about 6 or 7 inches of water to test the bottom for leaks. Will be adding more water over the next could of days to check the seals farther up. Because this is being set up at my bosses house instead of my own I'm only going to do a couple inches a day as it will end up sitting overnight with no supervision.

Some of the things that came with the tank are
Magnum 350 pump of some sort. All the pieces are pictured below (I think?) lol

2 or 3? air pumps

An aquaclear 50 heater
A HOB whisper 30-50 filter.
Some nice porous rock which is totally dead and looks to be covered in old freshwater algae? How can I clean that up or should I just not?

 

[Shelby]

I have decided to bypass the sump and purchase a protein skimmer as I don't have room for a sump. What type of filtration do you suggest I use? Will the Magnum 350 and the Whisper 30-50 filter be enough? Or should I look for a larger canister?

My shopping list so far includes the following:
Instant Ocean Synthetic Sea Salt (enough for 90 gallons)($48.99 US)
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater Liquid Master Test Kit ($32.99 US)
Hydrometer ($7.99 US)
Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand 20lbs ($29.99 US)
2 EHEIM aquaball Powerhead ($26.99 US)
Live Rock (have not found a place locally to purchase this yet)

I'm sure there is something else I need but can't think of it off the top of my head.

Oh brain freeze. I do not have access to RO water. Can I use tap water with some sort of conditioners? Would distilled water work for water changes after the initial set up?

I eventually am going to want some easy to care for corals. What type of lighting am I going to need? The whole lighting system on this tank will need to be replaced as I know what is there will not work. What type of lighting do I need to keep the live rock alive? I'm assuming every day flourescent won't do the trick?

Also, if someone could tell me where I should start after making sure my tank will not leak... That would be greatly appreciated. In other words.. what is my first step?? I'm so confused...

Obviosly I have to mix the water before I put in live sand and rock or it will die right? Everyone's journals just say here it is with rock, water, and sand..lol

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Welcome to the salty side Will try and answer all your questions but if I miss anything just post again.

Testing the tank:
Just fill it with water and leave it for a few days and make sure the water stays in the tank

Equipment needed for a basic reef setup:
Filtration:
Live rock - You will need around 25-30kg of LR for this system.
Powerheads - You need at least 20 times the tank volume in water flow for soft corals. I would aim for 25-30 times the water volume. So you need at least 6625lph of flow. Personally I would recommend getting two or 3 powerheads rather then one big one as this gives better flow patterns and you wont get as many dead spots with no flow.

The ones you have listed wont be any good. You ideally need powerheads with a wide angle of flow from them (i.e. not jet ones with pipe outputs). Three of the ones listed below would work and are the cheapest option:
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sunsun-Power-Head-Wave-Maker-Cups-Holder-3000-Litres-/280400140740

Korilia and tunze are some of the best but are expensive. All your main filtration will be done with the LR and water flow.

Your equipment - You wont need the airpumps. The canister filter isnt really needed but can be used. Remove all the bio media from it and use it for putting in phosphate removing media. Put some mechnical media at the start (ie filter wool or foam) and make sure you clean this out regularly (ideally at least once a week).

Lighting - Depends on your budget. I'm not sure what the dimensions of the tank or which will have an effect on how much light you will need. However a few T5 tubes will work for most soft corals.

Skimmer - Would highly recommend a skimmer. As you have not got a sump I would recommend getting a hang on the back one as it will take up less space within the tank.

Misc bits - Test kits for ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, PH. Heater (prob a 300w for this size tank). Thermometer. nets, salt. Ideally an RO unit so you can make your own RO water. RO storage containers for topping up the tank. Refractometer for checking salt levels (easier to use then a hydrometer).

Setting up
You will need to fill the tank with RO water (dont fill it to the top as you will be adding rock in later), then put in the heater and powerheads (if you get 3 power. Add your salt gradually and check the salinity often.

Once the salt level is right leave for 24 hours to mix properly.

Now you can add your LR. LR should not be kept out of salt water for any length of time. You do not need any lighting over liverock to keep it live but if you can light it it will colour up better.

Now its just a waiting game. Test the water often for ammonia and nitrite. Once these have both gone down to zero do a partial water change (mix the new salt outside of the tank) and you are ready to start stocking.

Edit: just saw your bit on not having access to RO water. Tap water will have a lot of things in that arent good for a reef tank. Not sure on distilled water to be honest. Check your LFS, most will be able to offer RO water, best bet though is to pick up an RO unit and make your own.

 

[Shelby]

What about one of these?

http/cgi.ebay.com/Sunsun-Power-Head-Wave-Maker-Cups-Holder-12000-Litres-/270488983325?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3efa66571d

would one of those work if I put it in the middle and pointed one in each direction?

Also, I currently have a 48 inch hood with two 23 inche bulbs in it. I'm assuming I'm going to need something better. The tank is 24 inches deep. I plan on doing some soft easy to care for corals eventually.

The lights are not needed for live sand and rock correct? So I could use the current flourescent lights. Than I could mix my water (will find a way to get RO water) Put in the heater and power heads put in my sand. When the sand settles check out my chem levels and when they balance I can then add the rock. Again wait for things to balance out. This is going to be an extremely slow process because of $$! I can't afford to buy sand and rock at the same time so doing it one at a time should be ok right?

As of right now I need to buy power heads, heater, sand, salt, water, and test kits. (I think....)

Tank is now completely full of tap water checking for leaks. Glass top has been replaced with a clearer glass.

 

[seffieuk]

ah ha, its here already and with photos - good one Shelby

For basic flow you need to aim for between 20 - 30x turnover, the more the better

Seffie x

 

[Shelby]

I'm looking at trying to get the 6625 litres that Barney recommended. Does the Magnum 350 provide some type of flow when returning the water? The fourth picture on the right hand side.

 

[seffieuk]

With a tank the size you are getting you will need more than one powerhead, probably three. If you want cheap and cheerful the sunsun are fine but if you have a bit more money to spend then let us know and we will help you with pump choice.

Seffie x

 

[Shelby]

My LFS does not deal in Saltwater. Only freshwater. She did however say if I give her a list of items she would get me the best price and give me 30% off if she doesn't have to stock it. I gave her Sunsun as a brand and told her I need three of them and also told her I wanted 6625 litres turnover So I should be good there.

For a protien skimmer: What is the best deal for my tank? It is sold as 70 Gallons but according to measurements it is 67.3 gallons.

 

[seffieuk]

Have a look for a deltec 300 or even the 600 mce

Seffie x

 

[Shelby]

I was hoping for something like http/www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4392+4400&pcatid=4400

Cost is a big issue here. I am setting this up at my boss's house and he is on a fixed income.

 

[ColdwaterJosh]

Unfortunately if funds do not permit, you will just have to save up and purchase adequate accessories for the tank, it is very pricey, but you pay for what you get. As Seffie suggested, look at a Deltec 300 or a Red Sea Protein Skimmer

http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/red-sea-prizm-protein-skimmer-deluxe-p-36.html

£89.95

 

[Shelby]

The Red Sea one I can get from Walmart.com for a 100 gallon tank for $100 USD. Much closer to our price range! Thanks much!

Am I able to put in the sand and rock without a skimmer? Or does that need to be there when those to items go in?

 

[-Nemo-]

You're fine without a skimmer with just the rock and sand.

 

[Shelby]

Dumb question.. what keeps the rock and sand alive?? And when exactly do I need the skimmer and better lights?

 

[sorgan]

Ok the rock and sand isn't actually alive ) ) all the bacteria and such feed on waste/ammonia/nitrite so the act if cycling your tank provides them with food
most of the stuff you will see popping out of LR will be a scavenger of some variety be it a filter feeder (feather duster) some small coral polyp, crabs, pest nems, mantis shrimp (be wary of these) or even a 16 inch moray eel (that's someone elses tale)

most of the stuff won't need feeding as it's likely it will eat waste material (which is good) corals use light and if a peat nem starves to death you won't be to sad.

Just make sure temp and water flow are there or it will all go to pot.