First Time Saltwater Keeper

[KaCee Bunn-Smith]

Good afternoon!

I am a first time Saltwater fish keeper so I am sure I have a lot to learn. I have kept freshwater tanks for about 4 years.

I am looking for advice on setting up my tank for the first time. I have not yet received my equipment, but I have placed my order. I am hoping that I have not missed anything out.

My goal is to grow corals and then when ready add fish.

My biggest question at the moment is.... Where do I start?

I know I need to get the tank. I assume at that point I set up the skimmer and reactor in the sump, install heaters, pumps, and lighting, and get everything "plugged in" while the tank is dry. At that point, do I add my live rock and sand at the same time as my water, or do I need to add the water first and those later?

I have had advice from my local fish shop so here is what I have ordered:

An Aqua oak tank
Max Length: 120cm Max Width (front to back): 60cm Max Height (inc. stand & hood): 148.5cm
Approx. Volume: 340 litres + volume of sump
https://fishkeeper.co.uk/product/aqua-oak-120cm-x-60cm-systemised-aquarium-and-cabinet-vxa047a

2x 300 Watt Heaters (which I believe can be placed in the sump
https://fishkeeper.co.uk/product/aquatropic-aqua-therm-300w-aquarium-heater

TMC Lumenair 900 Lighting
http://ultramarinemagazine.co.uk/products-services/tmc-v2-ilumenair-900-great-par-at-a-great-price/

Hydor Smartwave 5600 Kit
https://fishkeeper.co.uk/product/hydor-koralia-5600-smart-wave-kit

Fluval Sea Cp 2 (return pump)
https://fishkeeper.co.uk/product/fluval-sea-aquarium-circulation-pump-cp2-1600-lph

TMC V2 Skim Pro 450 Protein Skimmer
https://fishkeeper.co.uk/product/tmc-v-skim-pro-450-protein-skimmer

Bluemarine Reactor 120 with bio pearls
https://fishkeeper.co.uk/product/blue-marine-reactor-120
https://fishkeeper.co.uk/product/aqua-marin-bio-pearls-500ml

I will also be receiving prepared salt water, live rock and live sand from the LFS, which will be arriving later than the equipment.

 

[Oxylebius]

My goal is to grow corals and then when ready add fish. My biggest question at the moment is.... Where do I start?

Hi, Welcome.
First thing you should do is start a tank thread with ReefSanctuary !!!
And then read, read, and read some more about setting up salt water tanks.

There is a lot involved and the more you read about it the more you will understand the various options you have. And then that is where we all come in at ReefSantuary, you can share your thoughts and ask you questions to get advice on what has worked well or not for folks.

A good place to start is this forum: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forum/index.php?threads/look-frequently-asked-questions.33555/

Lots of great info!

Do I add my live rock and sand at the same time as my water, or do I need to add the water first and those later?

Again, you will get many opinions here.

I'd suggest adding sand and rock first, then pour your water into the tank. To prevent all the cloudiness that can happen I'd rinse the sand and rock in rodi water first. And then when you begin to add water to the tank, pour the water into a very large bowl that is placed into the tank, this helps from stirring up too much sand when filling the tank.

The next step after filling the tank is cycling the tank.

Again, I suggest you sit and read as much as you can get your hands on. It will help you to have a general understanding of all that is involved. And can lesson frustration later on when you follow advise that doesn't work for you.

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Welcome to RS It sounds like you are ready for a big Saltwater adventure. Looking forward to seeing some pictures!

~Sandra

The new HOG, SURF and DROP scrubbers from www.Santa-Monica.cc

​

 

[dgilbert2]

Welcome, love your avatar

 

[DaveK]

Offhand I'd say your LFS is trying to sell you a lot more that you need to get started.

Two 300w heaters is way too much. To heat a tank of the size your planning (340 l or about 90 gal), you only want about 1/2 that. Either get one 300w heater or two 150w ones. I'd say get the single heater. If you need a second one later, then add it. You only need about 2w per gallon of water for a heater.

I can't really comment on the lighting, because there does not seem to be the full specs on the web page you pointed us to.

The Fluval Sea Cp 2 is an internal circulation pump. It should be excellent for that, but if your using a sump, your also going to need some type of return pump.

You skimmer is a bit small. Manufacturers tend to be "very optimistic" when it comes to skimmer ratings. Choose a larger one that is rated for about a 700 l tank. It will not be that much more expensive, and you'll get lots better results.

Skip the Bluemarine Reactor 120 with bio pearls for now. You really do not need this expensive add on. You'll get plenty of biological filtration from the live rock or base rock you'll use to set up the system. Be sure to use enough rock. Later on, if you really need a reactor, you can add it. Many systems do not need such a reactor.

 

[KaCee Bunn-Smith]

Thank you for the advice. I will admit I followed some but not all!

I did still go with 2 heaters, I want redundancy if somerhing goes wrong. So I have set my theromostat and would rather them work less and be safe.

I tool your advice and I took the skimmer up a size. Still went with the same brand, just 1 size higher.

I went ahead and gpt the reactor (there was money in the budget for it). I would rather overdo than under.

I have a tank thread with quiet a bit of info on it now, and finally pictures of my tank with water in ot! It is still a bit cloudy (I think i disturbed the sand too much)

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