New to Reefs

WildPraire · 10-14-2003, 11:18 PM

Hello all,

I'm new!

We picked up the 120 gallon that Robin (from this forum) had set up as a highly lit FW.

It's now sitting empty in our living room, and I can't WAIT to get started. This is a very nice set up, well plumbed with sump etc. I have a protein skimmer, powerheads, wavemaker,pH controller, calcium reactor on its way. I need to figure out what type of salt I want to use, and what test kits, etc., that I should have on hand. I've been reading and reading here and I have 3 good reef books.

I have Southdown sand, I see pro's and cons regarding rinsing it first, any more thoughts on that?

I'm hoping to get to the ordering LR stage before it gets much colder.

Sue near Elk River

JnS · 10-15-2003, 12:11 AM

Sue,
welcome to the forum

Jerry and Shana
St. Cloud

schmitty · 10-15-2003, 02:24 AM

well on the test kits i like to go with the dip stick because they are easy to use but for some of my test i also have drops i do not like tablets i feel like they never dissovle right but it is up to you to find what you like

schmitty

welcome to thereeftank

SawCJack00 · 10-15-2003, 08:07 AM

Hi Sue, and welcome. I would suggest Salifert test kits. They are a high quality test at a reasonable price, and can be found at most reputable online vendors.

Read a lot. Books tend to get outdated quickly, but the good ones have valuable information that never changes. Online forums tend to have the most updated info floating around, but take it with a grain of salt, and get as many opinions as you can.

Regarding Southdown, if you add the LR at about the same time as the Southdown, there's no need to rinse it as the bacteria from the LR will colonize the sand, and this will help settle the sand storm within a few days usually.

Good luck with everything!!!

trodder · 10-15-2003, 08:16 AM

From all that I have read most people are pretty big into using IO salt (Instant Ocean) I am still trying to finish up my first bucket of Coralife. Although pretty frequently I hear that IO is the best. That will be the next bucket I buy.

kaba · 10-15-2003, 10:22 AM

Hi Sue, and welcome!

This is a great group of very knowledgeable folks here.

The website that I frequent most often for info is Wet Web Media (www.wetwebmedia.com). It's Bob Fenner's site (he authored The Conscientious Marine Aquarist). As Bill mentioned, books get outdated quickly, so websites are a great resource.

vmaxxt · 10-15-2003, 10:58 AM

Hey Sue, we're neighbors! I live just down the road in Big Lake and work in Elk River. I'm setting up a new system too - though not quite as grand as yours. I'm jealous! Let me know if you want to combine live rock orders.
Tammy

WildPraire · 10-15-2003, 11:58 AM

Hi Tammy,

Tried to email you but that option isn't working for you! How cool to have someone else nearby setting up a new system as well! It might work that we could combine LR orders, lets keep that in mind. You could send me an email and we could exchange numbers.
We aren't quite ready yet.... we have to to rethink our tank placement, which means moving the beast as soon as we figure out where will work best. Downstairs would be best if we want it all plumbed in for auto water changes... but downstairs also means that we wouldn't have it as the centerpiece of our living room! I really want it where I can watch it all the time.

We (read that as HE) also will need to build a cabinet beside it as the skimmer that should be here by next week is 3 feet tall, it won't fit under the exsisting stand. That's okay though, more room for a refugium!

Thanks to everyone for the advice, I can use all of it!

Sue

latazyo · 10-15-2003, 01:23 PM

I think the only problem with southdown is the "dust" it leaves on your glass and equipment after it finally settles, I guess if you're willing to get your hands wet it's not that bad, and I'm not afraid of a little hand in the tank, but some people strongly recommend against it

vmaxxt · 10-15-2003, 01:32 PM

Sorry, fixed it. Sent you an email.

trodder · 10-15-2003, 04:12 PM

Okay Sue... you can have your cake and eat it too... Let me expalin the venture I will be taking on soon. I have a 30 gal in my living room upstairs. The pump from the skimmer and the noise the water makes falling into my sump and so on is rather loud. How do I silve that? I will have my sump in the basement close to a floor drain as well as most of the plumbing of the house so that I can set up an R.O.D.I. unit and an auto topoff setup. There are many pumps on the market that are rated for a certain amount of head pressure... which means how many feet straight up you can pump the water. A MAK4 is a good exampl, or some of the Iwakis or even a Mag. Most of the websites will tell you what the shut-off height is (how high you can have the pump before the pressure is too much and it shuts the pump off.) They will usually tell you the approx flow rate at different head (height levels) Example is at max output it may be say 1000gph, then at 10 feet it may only be 400 gph. Those are just figures to show the contrast, they may not be in any shape or form correct. So any way is what you basically do is put the tank in the place you want it upstairs and then drill a hole in the floor as close to the wall as you can (or 2 seperate holes to keep hole size smaller for inflow and drain flow.) Then run the correct tubing (PVC or Flex tubing which is personal pref.) You ran the plumbing to an ideal spot as close to the main tank as possible for maximum flow at minimal cost. Hopefully you understand what I'm saying... if not I can try my hand at some poor art skills and make a drawing to post for you to get a visual. It is a little more expensive upfron to do this but in the end, I think it is well worth it. The peaceful effect of an aquarium is much better when it is in a peaceful environment. But really it is just a suggestion to consider. The pump will run you about $150... that price can be much higher or a little lower depending on new or used, brand, style of pump (bearing driven or magnetis), etc... Maybe someone here can chime in here and give you some specs of some ideal pumps with the approx price.

mpls_gazer · 10-15-2003, 04:58 PM

Sue,

Welcome to the hobby.

Yer gonna hate it. I mean love it. I mean it will hate you. Whatever.

Ditto on the et lots of opinions. Some times the first reply is the worst or best. Also find a couple of people at your local fish store, LFS, that you know you can trust and stick with them. Some are all about selling you a wet/dry sump and some care about not putting a dent in your pocketbook and your livestock.

Bottom line is you chose a great hobby!

MPLS_Gazer

Twins Guy · 10-15-2003, 05:45 PM

what does grazer know?- he hates phish!

How do you do that cool :welcome: thingy
tg

EDIT-dang that didn't work!

mpls_gazer · 10-15-2003, 06:03 PM

Do you mean the guy that is waving?

That's just

And it's Gazer not Grazer.

kaba · 10-15-2003, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpls_gazer
And it's Gazer not Grazer.

Hmmmm...'mpls_GRAZER' conjures up some humorous images...

BTW, did you clear out your mailbox yet?

New to Reefs

Welcome!