Back into it after 15 Years, couple of ?'s

[NHMARINE]

Helloooo everyone,
So I'm back into the hobby after 15 years, some things have changed (Bio Sand) some things have not (Different Opinons). In high school I used to work in Boston MA at Boston Pet.
So I have to try and get back in the groove here.
24 Hours ago I filled my 75 Gallon with 60 Pounds of Carib Sea Aragonite and 20 pounds of Bio Active Live Aragonite, and 60 or so gallons of salt water. I have a new Eheim 2026 and a wet dry (Reef Lake Systems) filled with Bio Balls.
Now I have gone through many web sites and still cannot decide what I should do next...............do I add fully cured rock from my local pet store, or do I do it the long way and order some Fiji Rock from Foster & Smith for $4.00 a pound (Del.) and cure it my self.
Should I go ahead and add some Cromis fish................I am standing at the doorway of Decision. :?:

 

[krullulon]

welcome! i'm a newbie myself.

just wanted to comment on the live rock -- i'd be *super* wary of getting live rock from a pet store... i was at a mega pet store today with a "saltwater section" that carried "live rock", it was listed as fully cured and 7.99/lb, and it was completely, 100% dead base rock. no life whatsoever, and for an insane price.

IMO, live rock is one of the most important contributors to starting your tank off right, so it's worth making certain that you're getting it from a reputable place... either online or brick-and-mortar. we have an awesome LFS run by a marine biologist here that's really good, and we have a few LFS's where the employees know significantly less about reef keeping than i do as a noob.

btw, i got uncured rock from my good LFS and cured it myself -- if you cure the rock yourself properly you'll probably end-up with more diversity than buying pre-cured.

i hope one of the mods gives you a big welcome!

JP

 

[Simon1]

I would hold off on any livestock for at LEAST a month....cured rock or not.

 

[NHMARINE]

krullulon, Thank's for you're input.............Simon, so are you saying just let the tank cycle out as is?

 

[abbeyspal]

Just get a bunch of LR cured or not. The rock will cycle your tank so you have no need of putting a fish in there you may not want later. Also beware becuase there is a lot of debate over the bio-balls. Not to mention that the LR does the same thing anyways.

 

[abbeyspal]

Just get a bunch of LR cured or not. The rock will cycle your tank so you have no need of putting a fish in there you may not want later. Also beware becuase there is a lot of debate over the bio-balls. Not to mention that the LR does the same thing anyways.

 

[NHMARINE]

abbeyspal, I replaced a 15 year old DLS roll with what i thought to be the latest Techno for my wet dry................I know what you are saying about the LR will cycle my tank, but here is the catch............if I buy fully cured live rock from a reputable local pet store and it dies in the tank is that going to put me behind the eight ball? or do you think there is a good chanc that it will make it............or do I just cure some my self in a seperate tank........if so what do I do with my empty tank? :?

 

[Anonymous]

Harbor Aquatics offers excellent rock for sale. There site also has some very informative information about liferock and what you should look for.

They are not the only place that sells good live rock. But they are a good one.

Read all the information at their site then ask more question if need be.

I'd skip the bio-balls all together. They are not needed when LR is in the system. They are in fact, nitrate factories.

Louey

 

[Jolieve]

Louey's right, bioballs, biowheels and any sort of surface gathering thing that is supposed to provide a place for bacteria to grow that isn't live rock is not what you want. Nitrate factories all.

I'd ditch the bioballs, and start saving up for a quality protien skimmer to be put on in a few months after you've put aside the cash for it.

Good luck and welcome back to the hobby,
J.

 

[GotDesl]

Definitely shop around for the LR. There are better prices to be had. I ordered from Reefer Madness. Exceptional customer service and good, large rock IME.

 

[hillbilly]

Boy, you have been out of the hobby for a long time. No one uses a wet-dry on a reef tank in this century. What Louey and Jolieve said. A powerful skimmer with LR is the filter of choice these days. Check out Dr. Mac and Son Corals or Premium Aquatics for super LR. As you can see from the posts above, they are many places to get great LR. Shop around, and welcome back to the hobby. Good luck with the tank.

 

[Bojangles]

Welcome to where I've been for 3 months LOL

Buy uncured rock and possibly get undesirable pieces aswell as more diverse life at a slightly cheaper price but have to cure it/pay more for salt for the wc's? OR

Buy cured rock at a higher price, get to put into your tank right away, save on the extra salt WC's take, KNOW what you're getting...

THEN you get to try and pick what Island you want the LR from LOL

Welcome to my world

 

[Baianotang]

BTW its a great time to be in this hobby (equipment options, some great stuff out there, but still very expencive) imagine how will it be in 10 years from now.