New to saltwater...Question about beginning....

[Carliean]

:? Hi! I am brand new to salt water. I have successfully had fresh water and brackish for years, but my 12 year old son asked for salt water for his birthday, so here I go. I have a 44 gallon pentagon tank. My neighbor (who does salt water) has reverse osmosis and filled my tank for me. I asked him if I should rinse the sand in water before putting it in my tank and he said NO. Well, what a mess!!!! There was "dust" everywhere in the water and took 2 days to clear with my pump/filter; however, I know a lot of this has settled at the bottom. If I move a plant I see it swirling. Will this hurt any fish I add? Do I need to start from scratch and wash this sand or will it eventually be filtered out? I really appreciate any help. I plan to start with a couple of clownfish only. Thanks!!!!!

 

[ChrisRD]

Hey Carliean - welcome to Reefs.Org.

The sand in your tank will eventually become coated with bacteria and clouding will get to be much less of an issue.

Before you go any further, I highly recommend taking a look at our Beginner's Guide in the Reefs.Org library.

http://www.reefs.org/library/newbieguide.htm

Good luck with your new setup!

 

[Len]

Lemme give you the official greeting

The particulates will eventually settle and become a non-issue. Lots of people recommend you don't rinse sand anymore because these fine particulates, once settled, constitute an important part of the sand bed make-up. Once it settles, you'll be fine and your future fish will be fine.

Chris' link is perfect to anyone starting out. Also make sure to check out Reefs.org's Guide to Information near the top of the forum (one of the annoucment threads).

Let us know if you have any questions. We're here to make your reefkeeping experience fun and successful

 

[Carliean]

Thank you so much for your adivce and information! You have no idea how relieved I am to hear what you both said! I will definitely check out the links you gave me! Thank you again!!

 

[Johnsteph10]

Hey and Welcome fellow Junior Member!
You know, I've had many of these same questions as well. You wouldn't believe how many are answered simply by crusing these boards!

John

 

[Anonymous]

Good advise, is to read, read and read...ask all and any questions here that you can think of...Get books and mags..before any purchase of equipment and or livestock bone up on knowledge of it...it will save money and keep your stress levels down :wink:

8)