Nervous New Reefer, Ready to setup?

[Spring]

Having had freshwater tanks off & on through the years, I am now "diving" into Reefs. I hope to have both, sps and lps corals and invertibrates. I have a 90 gallon undrilled tank. LifeReef HVS2-24 hang-on back Skimmer. 5-6 inch DSB, 5 stage RO/DI unit. Tsunami Wavemaker, with 3 Maxijet 1200 powerheads. 350 watt heater, Coralife Hydrometer, Instant Ocean salt. Custom stand and hood with, one 400 watt, 4000k metal halide (upgrading bulb to at least 10,000k as soon as budgeting allows) and 2, 110 watt vho actinics with 2, 4" fans for cooling. Hardness, PH, Amonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate & Copper test kits. I'm traveling 140 miles, early next week to get my LiveRock, (I hope) if I get every thing ready in time. My questions are many....
Do I have everything I need for initial setup?
How much LiveRock do I need for a 90 gal?
Cured or Uncured rock? Advantages/Disadvantages?
Order of placement? Sand 1rst or rock?
Cycle tank bare bottom or with sand in?
What parameters do I need to be concerned with at this point?
These are just a few of many questions I have. If I've missed anything important please respond and save me from my own ignorance! Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mouse]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr> Do I have everything I need for initial setup?
<hr></blockquote>

Some sort of calcium suplimentation would be in order. Either Kalkwasser (Balls Pickling Lime will do) or a two part additive like B-Ionic.

Some kind of re-mineraliseation for the RO/DI would be nice too.

And perhaps a PH buffer of sorts.

Also an Iodene suppliment, Kent Lugols pehaps.

i wouldn't bother at this time with any snake oils or miracle suppliments, same for Strontium, Molybendum, Magneseum or combined trace elements

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr> How much LiveRock do I need for a 90 gal?
<hr></blockquote>

I have found that the stated requirements for biological filtration are very small. So small infact that it doesn't really qualify as a reef. Just get as much as you can afford, or as much as you think you will like the look of.

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr> Cured or Uncured rock? Advantages/Disadvantages?
<hr></blockquote>

Uncured is cheaper usually. If you can have a look at both you will see the difference. Over time i would say theres no difference. But to start with you will find you have more die off from the uncured rock, and therefore a longer wait till you can get some inhabitants.

I would look into how you plan to construct your reef, drilled rocks held together with acrylic rods are a secure and attractive way of achiving a reefy environment. You can allways use an exposy, but i find it give an unnatural look initially, untill the corraline kicks in that is.

If you can find a way of elevating the majority of the rockwork off the sand you will aid the DSB by creating a greater surface area and fewer "dead spots". Also an open rockwork is best.

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

Cycle tank bare bottom or with sand in

Id get the sand in, play with the rocks while the tank clears a little, making formations and fixing together whatever pieces you can, then put them on top.

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

What parameters do I need to be concerned with at this point

Salinity (about 0.25)
Calcium levels (dose according to bottle)
Lighting levels (different for cured and un cured)
Temperature

then watch the cycle spike through the toxins as you would a freshwater tank.

N.B.
The sand should be a super fine Oolitic grade arragonite sand.

and the 4000k bulb will only cause you grief if used (Major algie), get the 10,000K or 20,000K when you get the rocks.

I hope i have been of some help to you, happy reefin.

 

[Anonymous]

You are way way more prepared than I was when I started. You should be fine. I recomend using a two part Calcium and alk supplement like B Ionic when you first start out for calcium. It's just easier than limewater in my opinion, but more expensive. I used B Ionic for about a year before phasing in kalk (I use Mrs Wages pickling lime).

Add new livestock slowly!

[ April 25, 2002: Message edited by: mulberry ]</p>

 

[reefworm]

Spring,
Welcome on board! Always a pleasure to have another addict so we can all feel better about ourselves

You've gotten very sound advice thus far. I would add some good books to your list. As you're probably already aware, you can't be too educated in this hobby. Let me suggest a few titles - others may [I hope] add to it:

For basic set up and general knowledge, maintanance and husbandry:
The Coral Reef Aquarium - guide to a healthy, happy fish by Dr. Ron Shimek
The Natural Reef Aquarium by John Tullock

also books by Palleta and Delbeek/Sprung are good

For your DSB:
Sandbed Secrets by Dr. Ron Shimek

For coral reference:
Aquarium Corals by Eric Borneman

Of course, the library and search features here at reefs.org are a goldmine, as is the new Advanced Aquarist online mag. to which you can link from here.

all the best!

-rw

 

[Anonymous]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr> Order of placement? Sand 1rst or rock?
<hr></blockquote>

1. Water. Wait awhile to make sure you have no leaks. If you have no leaks after 24 hours, you probably never will.
2. Add salt until you achieve your desired specific gravity. I like 1.025-1.026.
3. Add your rock and let it begin to cycle. You'll end up restacking it a few times.

4. I'd wait at least two weeks before adding the sand. There will be plenty off die-off and detritus dropping off the rocks. It is easily siphoned off the bottom off a bare bottom tank.

Adding the rocks 1st insures a stable base.

I wouldn't worry about the supplements too much until you start adding corals. IMHO

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Mouse <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

Some kind of re-mineraliseation for the RO/DI would be nice too.

hmmm. What do you recommend? I've never used any re-mineralization products with my RO/DI water. Edumacation pleeze!

 

[Marcosreef]

Depends on the salt mix. Kent Marine formulates their salt for RO/DI water. Not sure about Instant Ocean or Tropic Marin.