Just starting out. Advice appreciated

KaCee Bunn-Smith

KaCee Bunn-Smith

Member
Good afternoon!

I first posted this in the "Introductions" area, but I thought that maybe it would be best here.

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. I am also interested in the idea of growing seaweeds in tank for the fish to have as a ready natural food source.

For fish I am considering Clowns, Damsels, Firefish, or possibly Cardinals, and my wife would really love a Foxface Lo.

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.
 
nanoreefing4fun

nanoreefing4fun

Well-Known Member
RS STAFF
welcomefish.gif


to ReefSanctuary, a real Sanctuary of reef forums, with lots of very nice members

Start a tank thread & share your tank with us so we can follow along, we love pics :dance:

Yes... you can add your sw, lr & sand all at the same time & start cycling
 
Nascar99

Nascar99

Member
Best advice is go slow, be patient, add fish slowly, maybe pick one or two you really like then wait a month to add more

You'll figure things out, but read up on as much as you can that way if a fish dies or something you can figure out why

Test kits are your livelihood
 
KaCee Bunn-Smith

KaCee Bunn-Smith

Member
That is my plan. To be honest, I have been told 4 weeks for delivery, which puts us end of June. I go on holiday at the end of August and I dont plan on putting any fish in the tank until I am back in Early September, so the rock / sand will have approximately 10 to 11 weeks at least to cycle. Dwpending on conditions the clean up crew may fo in before holiday but definately no fish.
 
Nascar99

Nascar99

Member
Sounds like a good plan. Make sure you feed the tank while it's cycling, if you'll be gone leave a few pieces of raw shrimp in the tank in a mesh bag or pantyhose that way it's easy to take out when you get home

Bc if you don't feed then when you get home fish food will start a new cycle bc the bacteria needs food to grow :)

Your rock and tank will mature over time as long as you feed daily and have flow :)

Good luck

Keep a powerhead running always!
 
KaCee Bunn-Smith

KaCee Bunn-Smith

Member
I will start a thread when my equipment arrives.

Regarding feeding, I plan on putting an auto feeder in while I am away, and my brother-in-law will be xhecking in every day as well.
 
D

DaveK

Well-Known Member
KaCee Bunn-Smith said:
...
My biggest question at the moment is.... Where do I start?
....
Click to expand...

Before you even fill the tank, do a lot of planning about what you are going to keep in the tank. SW livestock tends to be a lot less compatible compared to FW. SW livestock can also be a lot more demanding. Ideally this should even be done before you purchase any equipment.

For example, if you check out the fish you selected, you find that some of them may not be desirable. Others are not likely to be compatible. For example damsels tend to get really nasty when they mature. I recommend leaving them out. Firefish are a good fish, but small and timid compared to clowns, so adding them is a maybe. The foxface should be ok, but it's a larger fish.

I do not recommend getting prepared water for a tank this size. It may seem like a good idea, but all too often the LFS does a terrible job mixing it. It's best to have your own RO/DI unit and mixing container and make your own water using

You generally add the water first, and get the tank going. You'll need to drain off some of the water to add live sand and live rock. You'll then need to cycle the system.

Don't fully trust a LFS until they prove themselves. All too often they are either in a hurry to make a quick sale or are clueless about advanced aquarium systems, although they may be better in your area.

Good luck.
 
lbiminiblue

lbiminiblue

Well-Known Member
Yep. Lots of LFS are out to get a quick buck or get rid of that one diseased fish. Case in point: one of my LFS sold me a dragon wrasse when I had just started, claiming it was reef safe.


I have to agree with Dave-research is very important. If you ever have doubts, make a thread and ask. Better to leave a store empty handed than return home with a monster fish who will cause you headaches and rock moving to get him out.
 
KaCee Bunn-Smith

KaCee Bunn-Smith

Member
Thank you for the advice on Damsels. My local had said they were a maybe to add.

For a bit of background, my LFS does have a very good reputation. I have been a customer for 4 years with freshwater. They run 10 or 11 various sized salt tanks which all have quite vibrant fish and lovely corals. I also know one of the girls who works there socially.

The water they sell is the same as what they use in thier own tanks, and Amy (my friend who works there) uses that same water in her 2 home tanks as well.

While I do plan to get my own RO system, I had thought that getting what I know to be "good water" to start with might five a few of the same benefits as live rock and live sand (which by the way, will be coming out of simular water from the LFS).
 
KaCee Bunn-Smith

KaCee Bunn-Smith

Member
I will start a proper tank thread shortly (by the way, WHERE do I start a proper tank thread?) but for now, just posting the pictures of the tank as I have gotten word this morning that my order has been received and the tank is being constructed!

aqua1_zpsxy7z6ugz.jpg


aqua2_zpsqih5v4fq.jpg


aqua3_zpsj4l30osq.jpg
 
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lbiminiblue

lbiminiblue

Well-Known Member
Beautiful stand. Looks a lot like mine.


Also, I can't help but notice that the sump underneath looks very tall. How much clearance is there from the top of the stand to the top of the sump? Because if you ever want to move something in that sump, it could be hard with so little arm space.
 
KaCee Bunn-Smith

KaCee Bunn-Smith

Member
I had the same question regarding the sump. I asked in the shop and was told that this item is normally sold with a very high sump for the most water volume. They have offered to fit a lower sum if that is what I prefer.
 
D

DaveK

Well-Known Member
KaCee Bunn-Smith said:
I had the same question regarding the sump. I asked in the shop and was told that this item is normally sold with a very high sump for the most water volume. They have offered to fit a lower sum if that is what I prefer.
Click to expand...

I would question the design. If you ever want to add an in sump skimmer, it's going to be almost impossible in a sump that tall. It is a very unusual design. You could consider installing a skimmer outside the tank and stand, but a lot of people don't like to do that.
 
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