NEWBEE from LI NY

[da5speed]

Hi everyone. Love the forum I'm learning a lot. I have a couple of questions before i finish buying everything I need to start up the tank. I'm setting up a 105 gal 5 foot tank that is being drilled this weekend, i already have the sump, and im going to end up putting a 4 foot 760 watt MH/PCP lights on it. Still looking into a skimmer and the possible add on of a refugium. But what else do i need besides RO water and salt to get the tank started? The live rock i will most likely get from a friends tank that he is planning on breaking down soon. Thanks

 

[pecan2phat]

You need all the plumbing pipes, bulkheads, valves, tubing. Heaters, fans for your canopy if the light unit does not incorporate one. Either sand or Starboard for the bottom of your tank. Test kits to see when your tank has cycled. Probably more that peeps will chime in on.

 

[cali_reef]

You'll need $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

And lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

EDIT

BUY A FEW GOOD BOOKS BEFORE YOU SPEND ANY MORE MONEY

 

[NYreefNoob]

lol cali. it is true though there are always additional things needed and most important is $$, buy the right equiptment the first time is saves money in the long run and headaches

 

[da5speed]

I can see the cost going up. Now when i get the sump and skimmer running with the RO water and salt should i add anything else before adding the live rock? I guess the question I'm asking is Does the live rock set the PH and hardness or do i have to test the water first before adding the rock? If so what should the levels be around and what products are recommended? As can see this is my first salt tank, i have done all types of fresh water over the last 20 year but I'm selling off my 4 fresh water tanks and equipment off to fund a portion of the reef set up .

 

[Bob 1000]

Try to get the ph up a little because ro is very low.. Use baking soda.. added to salt water not fresh water.. But the rock will probably cycle a little...

 

[cali_reef]

Try to get the ph up a little because ro is very low.. Use baking soda.. added to salt water not fresh water.. But the rock will probably cycle a little...

How do you know his ph is low without testing? And what makes you think the combination of RO water and salt mix will not give him a desirable PH?


RIF! :frown:

 

[latino277]

If you use a good salt mix, you may not have to worry too much about the PH/alk/calc. but you should put thing in your tank in this order...
1- water -do not fill to the top as you sand will displace water
2 - Salt - Get a refractomiter (Sp?) makes life soooo much easier
3 - Rock - you don't want you put the sand 1st because some fish can dig out the sand and cause a rock slide
4 - Sand....

After all then is set, then you make adjustments to you water.

Good luck.

 

[h20 freak]

If you use a good salt mix, you may not have to worry too much about the PH/alk/calc. but you should put thing in your tank in this order...
1- water -do not fill to the top as you sand will displace water
2 - Salt - Get a refractomiter (Sp?) makes life soooo much easier
3 - Rock - you don't want you put the sand 1st because some fish can dig out the sand and cause a rock slide
4 - Sand....

After all then is set, then you make adjustments to you water.

Good luck.

What salt mix would do that?I use instant ocean but I need to replenish soon,whats a good brand?

buying uncured rock is cheaper and will cycle your tank if the rock from your friend isn't enough.

oh and no matter what don't get crushed coral as a substrate,either do sand(look into a deep sand bed AKA DSB) or bare-bottom

 

[jejton]

Welcome. Where in LI are you ?

 

[latino277]

IO is a good salt mix for fish only tanks
I use Reef crystals. but alot of people use Oceanic and tropical marine (I think that's what it's called)

 

[Paul Ramone]

What salt mix would do that?I use instant ocean but I need to replenish soon,whats a good brand?

buying uncured rock is cheaper and will cycle your tank if the rock from your friend isn't enough.

oh and no matter what don't get crushed coral as a substrate,either do sand(look into a deep sand bed AKA DSB) or bare-bottom

Why no crushed coral? Why do you recommend sand over coral? :scratchch

Researching before I buy. :Lurking:

 

[h20 freak]

Thanks I'll get reef crystals then,and I think its tropic marin , idk why its spelled like that

 

[latino277]

Crushed coral and shells trap fish poop and the snalls have a hard time digging through it. beside, sand really does look better.

 

[Paul Ramone]

Crushed coral and shells trap fish poop and the sands have a hard time digging through it. beside, sand really does look better.

From what I've seen, I agree that sand looks better.

Next newb question. What do you mean by "sands have a hard time digging through it"? Clean up crew critters?

 

[Chapz]

Good luck and Enjoy.
Welcome aboard.

 

[da5speed]

jejton im in Huntington.
Does anyone us a RO right?? I know i used that with my fresh water when using RO water.
Im still stuck on what skimmer to get. Dont want to break the bank but i dont want anything that wont do the job. Any Suggestions???

Also how many time should i have the water turning i was think of a 1000 gal/hr. Again its a 105 5ft tank.

As for the sand i dont know if i want to go that crazy and do a DSB i was think bare bottom since i here you can have a problem with red alg.? If im wrong let me know.

I think that all for now thanks again everyone.

 

[jejton]

I'm not far - Stony Brook. Let me know if you find any good local sources for live rock, or want to split shipping on some or something.

 

[inked]

Hey coram here! Would be into splitting shipping also.

 

[autoponicz]

try marcorocks.com...its dead rock but alot cheaper...just seed it with a few pieces of LR

for skimmers...you can check out the new msx skimmers from marinesolutionsinc.com
but theres also alot of other skimmers to consider....research first...then decide.