Newbee Starting my Reef Tank TODAY

[BobbyD109]

Hello everyone. I'm starting a NEW Reef Tank today. I bought at 46 inch bow front tank and will be setting it up today.

Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I have made plans to purchase about 50 lbs of live rock from my fish guy.

I cannot wait to start this project. I know it will take great patience and long waiting periods to get really started, but I would love any advice you might give.

I have read 4 books so far and am very interested in the success of this project. I have time every day to spend ensuring that this project goes well.
Please advise...

 

[jandree22]

No need for the " "

I congratulate you on your efforts to read and become knowledged before diving in! The only advise I might have is to compare prices on Live Rock. You'll find a lot of LFS(local fish stores) will charge sometimes as much as 2x more $$$ than you can purchase Live Rock for online.

 

[Unarce]

Hey Bob. Welcome to RDO!

That's a lot to ask for in one thread. I think in order to elicit a response, you should go into more detail on what you are planning to keep, and what type of budget you are on. Those specifics will make it easier for reefers to make their suggestions.

So far, I can at least tell you that the quality of live rock is very important and can often determine the success or failure of the initial start-up. Be sure the rock is from a reputable distributor with good practices, e.g. Walt Smith.

 

[rwoolley]

What LFS in Jersey do you go to?
I agree on checking LR prices. The first LFS I went to quoted a price 3X what I ended up paying for, which would be OK I suppose if it's worth 3X... which it wasn't.

 

[K9coral]

Welcome and good luck!

 

[BobbyD109]

Ok, So I got set up today. My tank is up (46 gallon bow front tank on a cabinet stand), I mixed by water and instant ocean, and began my filter. I bought a Via Aqua Multi Skimmer. This is a combination filter and protein skimmer all wrapped up in one. It works great.
My only complaint and question is the directions. Its a VERY small booklet that bearly says anything about the thing. It makes a LOT of noise. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to quiet this thing down a few notches. The sound seems to be coming from the protein skimmer and not so much the filter area.
Can anyone help or advise? Am I wasting my time, should I get a new system.
Suggestions are welcome and requested.
Thank you.

 

[BobbyD109]

Ok... So I emailed the company and learned how to quiet down the protein skimmer.

Things are good. I added 50 lbs of live rock 3 days ago. Looks good.

I've been testing the water every day. Things are going well.

Now I have to add a fish or two to get that cycle going....

Any suggestions?

 

[abbeyspal]

Don't add any fish!!!! THe rock will take care of the cycle for you. Besides you would probably get a damsel that will eventually cuase alot of pain for you. My damnsel enede up killing 3 fish I finally removed him. I had to take out all of my rock to do it. It was a terrible PITA!

 

[Anonymous]

Ok... So I emailed the company and learned how to quiet down the protein skimmer.

Things are good. I added 50 lbs of live rock 3 days ago. Looks good.

I've been testing the water every day. Things are going well.

Now I have to add a fish or two to get that cycle going....

Any suggestions?

my main suggestion to you is this...

look to this board for opinions on products. your LFS will sell you what he has in the price range you have decided upon. this is rarely the best option.
i would have steered you away from that skimmer as would most on this board. i have never owned a Via Aqua Multiskimmer but with skimmers you often get what you pay for.
this thing looks like a Prizm skimmer and priced like one too. i can only guess it skims like one.
if you made a thread titled "is this skimmer any good" and put the brand name within, i would take the time to tell you my opinion as would most members. also i would tell you what i would buy in your shoes.
this board will give you precious info regarding product purchases like the one you have already made and this info will keep the wasted funds to a minimum... i am sorry to say, i think you will likely regret this purchase.

...but then there are fans of most any piece of hardware out there... and at times, 'cheap' is worth every penny.
also if it doesn't perform well you might be able to boost 'er up a bit with an airstone.

 

[BobbyD109]

Thanks for all the good information

I will NOT put an damsels in my tank.

I'm going to stick with patience and time and cycle the tank slowly and naturally.

I appreciate the advice.

I'll be in touch in a few weeks with more stupid questions.
Thank You.

 

[abbeyspal]

Good choice on not puting the damsels in there. They are cool fish but are a real headache. Besides chances are they would die in the cycle anyway and nobody wants that.

 

[cdeakle]

I'm going to stick with patience and time and cycle the tank slowly and naturally.

Good job, listen to the people here on reefs.org and you can't go wrong. Anything your LFS may tell you make sure to double check here. Also before you make a big purchase, ie skimmer, check here first. Good luck and welcome to reefs.org!

-puff

 

[abbeyspal]

Ditto on the double checking advice from the lfs. I have found that in my tiny little berg is that 90% of the info from the lfs is either outdated or just tatally wrong.

 

[rwoolley]

BobbyD109, What LFS in Jersey do you frequent?

 

[shellshocked]

Bobby D,
You are well ahead of the rest of us by asking for help. My advice would be patience patience and more patience - it just takes time for the tank to cycle. Also you might do some research on a deep sand bed. Opinions vary but it was a noticeable improvement in my tank. Good Luck!

 

[Anonymous]

I just thought I would chime in with a welcome to RDO

I am from Jersey too, wanna start a club??

are you in south or north Jersey??

Its really like 2 different states

Bryan

 

[rwoolley]

knucklehead, I'm in PA , but I'm close to North Jersey and would be interested in participating in a club in North Jersey.

 

[J.Howard]

You may also want to consider a live mud or sand activator kit from any of the better online suppliers if you go w/ a sand bed. These kits come with good bacterial content as well as some w/ assorted hearty critters which were a big help on my latest project. (snails, hermits,poly worms, etc.) Just make sure you've given it a week or so for the level spikes to mellow out before adding.

 

[Anonymous]

Well Dang it, I am in South Jersey

way south

Bryan

 

[BobbyD109]

Knucklehead:

Im in North Jersey, Hudson County to be specific.

I have noticed some brown algea starting to make a film on my substrate. I read that this is ok because its eating the nitrates.
Does this mean that my tank has cycled?
My ammonia is at 2 ppm, nitrites 2 ppm, and nitrates are almost non existant.