New 10G nano and Hi

[TeraHz]

Hello. First to introduce myself. My name is Georgi, I live in Stamford, CT (originally from Bulgaria). I've had FW tanks for about 15 years until I came to the US. Recently I got a gift - Aqueon Basic Kit Aquarium 10. I've always wanted to have a salt water aquarium and it looks like the US is the place to have one. So I spent the last few days reading about SW tanks and I still have to figure out a few things but I feel like I've got the gist of it. Here is my plan:

I will use the 10g tank and the aqueon powerfilter 10 that came with it. The lights will have to be changed. To finish the setup and start the cycling I am planning to get:
1x Koralia Nano powerhead
1x Marineland 50W heater
10-15lbs of LS
10-15lbs of LR

I'm still looking for good light options. I have decided on PC, and was looking at the Coralife kits, but they have a 12" and a 24" ones and my aquarium is 20" so these will probably not work out. Any suggestions are welcome. I'd like to have both moon and day light

I'm also thinking of getting the AirWaterIce Mighty Mite RO/DI system as it is about $110 right now and looks like the cheapest clean water source, however I'm concerned about the installation because I live in an apartment complex and I cannot be drilling holes in the pipes and such to tap the tap . If there is no way to just hook up the system to the tap, get some clean water and unhook it, I might have to go the Brita filter way (I know it not enough but I don't have a walmart or a LFS close to me for cheap clean water, and I'm not paying $3.50 per gallon for distilled water.

If anyone knows a cheaper RO/DI system that is easily installed (in a non-destructive way) I'd be happy to know about it.

Btw is RO/DI water drinkable as regular RO water?

After the system cycles I'll put a clownfish or two, some 'cleaners' and maybe a nice shrimp. As for coral, I'm still reading, but I know I can get some really neat ones for this small tank.

Other things I think I need:
thermometer
refractometer <- any suggestions on this one?
fish net
Sea salt (Oceanic or Red Sea)
Chemical testers for the water.

My primary stores are Pet Smart and a Petco store not too far (no close LFS around ).

So, again, Hello to everyone. It looks like this is a great community and I've learned a lot already from it.

Any suggestions are welcome.

[Fat Tony]

Welcome to TRT. As for the RODI source, you chose a good little unit. You can get adapters to hook it into your sink directly off of the faucet, or you can get a connector to attach it to your washer water hookup. Then just run the wasteline to the sink drain or the washer machine drain. You can get distilled at most grocery stores for a $1 a gallon or less, or the local walmart or k mart for $.49-69. RODI is drinkable, but you would want to get a storage tank and dispneser for the unit as the unit will only produce a trickle of water. You would also only want to use the water after the RO and before the DI stage due to the taste and purity of the water.

For your refractometer, the ones on eBay are good units, i have had mine for over 2 years without issue.

Salt, I would recommend the Coralife salt over either of the other 2. It is really a very balanced salt and mixes up really well.

Test kits, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Alk, Calcium and Magnesium is pretty much all you will need. Make sure that you buy a good brand like the Elos, Salifert, Tropic Marin or Sera for the Alk, Calcium and Mag test kits. It truly does make a difference.

[TeraHz]

Thanks Fat Tony! After a bit more research I'm now leaning towards the BFS Premium Series 75 gpd RO/DI System for ~$60 more, because it comes with more features (like TDS meter, pressure gauge and refillable DI cartridge...)and most importantly (for me) a valve for RO only water, which I can use to get drinking water (before the DI filter).

I'm going to Petco tonight to see what is available there. I have to wait for my RODI system to arrive before I can start the cycling of the tank. By that time I'll have all my equipment ready.

I'll start making pics of everything as it arrives and post my progress here.

Best,
Georgi

[fox2589]

also IMO i wouldnt go PC..i would go t5's.good luck-drew

[Loverotties]

T5HO set ups are cheaper to run,cooler and better lighting!

[jenglish]

http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_U...FIT5T5-vi.html
or
http://www.marinedepot.com/Hamilton_...MHPDDE-vi.html
would be nice fixtures but maybe more than you are looking to spend.

[TeraHz]

$300 is def. over my budget. If I was spending that much money I would build my own LED fixture (which I'm still considering btw)... I noticed there aren't a lot of 20" fixtures, most are 24", which kind of sux for me, so I might end up modding my current top with one or two bulbs. It looks like you all suggest t5 bulbs so I will consider them as well.

Any comments on the BFS RO/DI system? I'll probably buy it tonight so that I can start the tank on the weekend.

Thanks everyone. Now off to Petco for price and availability research.

[jenglish]

I simply have a 150 gpd from purewaterclub and used an adapter to attach it to my sink. I would look into retrofit kits i you are not afraid of a little DIY.

[TeraHz]

A quick update, I've ordered most of the hardware for the tank:
RO/DI system (BFS - should arrive soon), refractometer, 2 nano power heads, Salifert tests, Jager 75W heater and thermometer.

For the lights, I'm modding the top that came with the aqueon kit with 12 3W Cree LEDs (6 natural white and 6 royal blue on separate dimmers controlled by arduino).

If the RO/DI arrives tomorrow, I'll buy a bag of Live Sand from petco and set the tank up to start cycling.

Do I need good light to start the cycling process, because my LEDs will probably not be here before the weekend?


Thanks for the help so far!

[Loverotties]

No you can start without lights.

[TeraHz]

I'm slowly moving ahead. I got my lights last Saturday and spent the weekend setting them up. My RO/DI system arrived on Monday and is great. On Thursday I got the rest of my hardware (refractometer, heater, thermometer, koralia pumps etc) and also 15lbs of uncured live rock (that came with lots of 'wildlife' ). I setup the tank on Thursday with some sea salt from Petsmart (I had already ordered a bucket of salt online that didn't come on time for the live rock). Today I got my live sand (exp 11.10 so I assume not too old) and the bucket of salt. Man that bucket is HUGE! I didn't know I ordered that much salt :-0. Anyhow, I now have the sand in (about 15lbs) and the rocks (15lbs).
Current stats:
Temperature: 79F
Salinity: 1.025
Ammonia (NH4): 1.25
Alkalinity: 2.97 (KH 8.3)
Nitrate (NO3): 1.0
Nitrite (NO2): < 0.1
Calcium (Ca): 460
Magnesium (Mg): 1430

I will leave it for a week now and repeat the tests next Sat.
Pic in next post.

[TeraHz]

http://joro.geodar.com/images/aquari...rium_large.jpg

[SCHEITHE]

welcome to TRT!! we all aways here to help. nice little set up you got there. just take a month before you get to corals so your tank can go through its spikes. dont over load your tank with fish to.

[TeraHz]

Hi. A week after the initial setup my live rock is starting to get covered with some white algae?:





Should I be worried, or is it normal for a new tank? I'm also starting to see brown hairs growing everywhere (sand, rock, glass) and I'm guessing that is brown algae but this white stuff looks weird.

[jenglish]

sounds like cyanobacteria. Not all that unusual in a new tank but if you can siphon it out you should