Semi-Newbie with almost complete setup

[spook830]

I am new to this forum so i will begin by telling you exactly what i currently have.

I have a 75G bowed tank , with fluval 305 filter and a expensive light. lol . Currently it is freshwater and i have a pacou living in it. I have finally taken the bold step to move to saltwater. I have been told a plethora of things from too many different LFS . Some say my filter is no good. Some say this and that the question for you guys are this

• I spent close to $300 on it do i really have to replace it ?
• I know i want a Fish only with some live rocks .
• Is the powerhead that comes with the fluval good enough ?
• Does BioSpria and other nitrifiying chemicals really work ?
• Does it Really take 3-6 whooole weeks to get a tank up and running ?
• What resources do you recommened to a salt-water newbie ?
• I want to buy live rock should i buy this first to start the cycling ?
• how many pounds do i need to buy ?
• I want to at least get one fish in the there swimming around can i do this while cycling the tank ? I mean can i have a fish swimming around in the biospira or nitrifying agent ?
• Does anyone have alot of cured water to loan lol ? I hear thats a way also

I'm really not trying to overwhelm anyone with my questions but freshwater just got far too boring and i'm eager to hop into this new hobby. probably too eager :lol2:. Either way i'm very social should anyone really wanna assist of see another newbie get off the ground i'm in long island and could really appreciate the help.

 

[roncgizmo]

• I spent close to $300 on it do i really have to replace it ?
• Replace what? the tank, no. the lights? I don't know what you have
• I know i want a Fish only with some live rocks .
• Is the powerhead that comes with the fluval good enough ?
• No, you need more just to move water around the rocks to help filter.
• Does BioSpria and other nitrifiying chemicals really work ?
• Some say yes others no, I say just use the live rock to do the job.
• Does it Really take 3-6 whooole weeks to get a tank up and running ?
• more or less yes, if you use the rock to cycle the tank
• What resources do you recommened to a salt-water newbie ?
• MR
• I want to buy live rock should i buy this first to start the cycling ?
• Yes
• how many pounds do i need to buy ?
• as much as you can buy! at least #60 try the sale forum on MR
  
• it might save you lots of cash
• I want to at least get one fish in the there swimming around can i do this while cycling the tank ? I mean can i have a fish swimming around in the biospira or nitrifying agent ?
• I don't see why not, if you find REAL CURED live rock
• Does anyone have alot of cured water to loan lol ? I hear thats a way also
• Try to get old filter media and a cup of sand instead it will work just as good.
• You're also going to need a skimmer read up on them before you just go out
• and buy one...it should be good for at least a 150 gallon tank...
  

Good luck and welcome to MR

 

[Josh]

• What resources do you recommened to a salt-water newbie ?

Are you coming to the Frag Swap? That's a good way to get an idea of what the hobby is all about and meet some people who can help you out.

 

[cb747]

My best advice is patience and read read and reread. If you jump in too quick youll be financilly drained. You really cant rush anything setting up a tank. Knowledge is your best weapon. Feel free to ask as many questions as needed and the people on this board will be more than happy to help you out Where on LI are you?

 

[hippotangs]

....

Welcome to MR.

Do not think u are too eager... I can find at least 10 people who out eagered u.lol

Get rid of that fluval....Thats a first. It will ruin u in the long run. Sell on ebay and for get about canister filters.

Expecive lights dont mean anything. I know a guy who just purchased SOLARIS for about $4000 ( thats expencive):biglaugh:

Planning ahead is what will save u alot of money and time.

U need to read alot about setting up a salt water tank. Such simple knowledge will make ur life some much easier not only in making decisions but also communicating with ur fellow reefers.

Yes, you have to cycle for that specific period of time...Pacience is the key to success.

Plan your tank out prior to starting something thinking u can add some other equipment later....U are basically shooting ur self inthe foot.

Live rock will do all the cycling. DO NOT USE FISH TO CYCLE!!!!!

I will gladly help u If u pm me...
Good luck with the set up.

 

[hippotangs]

...

Forgot to mension....
DO NOT USE TAP WTER.
USE RO/DI WATER. OR AT LEST RO. uR FISH WILL APRICIATE IT.

 

[reefnewbe]

Welcome,:smile:
as you can see,:bigeyes2: you are at the right place for quality help.

good luck.

 

[Dj Orion]

Welcome aboard man.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Welcome.

Step1)Check the book forum of MR and find a beginner book. I remember there is a how to cycle a tank thread before. try search for it.

Step2)Ask questions when you are done with the beginner book because if not, you may be missing one or two VERY IMPORTANT steps when just getting answers from the forum. Even though most reefers here are good reefers and sometimes we are tired and miss one step in our answers. I personally found that asking straight forward "one answer only" type question is good here instead of a question that's too general or takes too long to answer.

Step3)Don't use fish nor any animal to cycle. Testor kits are good enough to tell if the tank is ready. Why waste an animal if we can do it better and not costing us an arm or leg.


Step4)I guess we can see you in 10 days after you finish the book. J/K

 

[nycmat]

1st off its cool we all started somewhere at least you are smart enough to post here to get honest advice from people who care about there livestock more then making a buck.

I spent close to $300 on it do i really have to replace it ? yes you do, a wet dry is the way to go. dont feel burned there is always someone out there who got burned more then you like i did buy a $1000 eco system.

• I know i want a Fish only with some live rocks . sounds good
• Is the powerhead that comes with the fluval good enough ? no not really there are some fish that need a lot of flow, most notably anyhting with a tang at the end of it.
• Does BioSpria and other nitrifiying chemicals really work ? bio spria is great and expensive will cycle your tank within a day. i hav eused it. but i can honestly say you are better off making the tank grow by itself. dont need it and you will encounter fish death. either way i hope you plan to have a good skimmer.
• Does it Really take 3-6 whooole weeks to get a tank up and running ? yes its called maturation. "mature" its important. dont go out and buy a bunch of livestock and expect it to workout on a new FLOWR tank. doesnt happen.
• What resources do you recommened to a salt-water newbie ? here on MR. or reef central isnt bad either. ther eis a fish forum here as well that you can read up on any fish you desire.
• I want to buy live rock should i buy this first to start the cycling ?absolutley no way around it. its a must. some people sell it here cheaper then any store you can find.
• how many pounds do i need to buy ? 1 to 2 lbs. per gallion for a FOWLR i recommend.
• I want to at least get one fish in the there swimming around can i do this while cycling the tank ? I mean can i have a fish swimming around in the biospira or nitrifying agent ? you can get some damsels but they are a pain in the you know what when you want to get them out of your tank because they become very territorial even with the biggest of fish. just use patience
• Does anyone have alot of cured water to loan lol ? I hear thats a way also. its not cured water it s cured rock that is most important. i used to breed tropheous. trust me i know buddy. i hope this helps you. good luck feel free to pm me if i can help. i am in queens

i answered all of your questions after each one in the quote

 

[nycmat]

also regarding equipment let me tell you this. you can use a r/o but dont need one. you should seriously more then any other piece of equipment, buy a protien skimmer. its a waste of time to have a FOWLR without having one. can you do without one? yes some people hav e had success but overall its worth it. then get a uv. lights only mean something to reef tanks.

PROTIEN SKIMMER!!!

 

[h20 freak]

The Fluval doesnt have to be replaced by another canister,alot of people dont even use them in SW.My reccomended list

protein skimmer just get one,this is first and foremost, and dont get a seaclone or the crap that comes cheap with sumps,this is one area you shouldnt skimp out.

more powerheads,for a a FOWLR that size I suggest at least maybe a total of 1000 GPH if you really dont want to add to many pumps,if you want a tang you will need more

An RO unit will be very usefull but my cuz ran his w/o one pretty succesfuly,I contribute it to the tap in the city

Choose between sandy(deep 3+ inches) or barebottom tank,both have there advantages and disadvanteges but Crushed coral is just disadvantages.Dont get it.

A refuge/sump(lots of sand in a refuge too 3+,the more the better) is always better to have and a DIY one can come out to be pretty cheap.

live rock is always good to have in most tanks,get at least a pound per gallon but if you cant find find a good deal for them and dont want to pay that much then just get like 30 pounds live and the other 45 "dead" same with the sand except I wouldnt suggest getting all live because I wouldnt pay that much,just get a few bags and the rest "dead" sand.

PATIENCE and lots of it,this hobby is either for patient people or impacient people willing to change there ways,be slow in adding livestock,wait at least a month(more is reccomended) after you get live rock to add fish and if you must have a fish then you can throw in a pair of clowns or damsels but damsels get aggresive and you will want to get rid of them,clowns are not aggressive and I like to keep 'em but there not quite as hardy as damsels but thats about the only fish there not as hardy as,those guys are really tough(and good looking).Thats just my 2 cents

 

[EmilyT]

i suggest you come to the frag swap before you touch a thing. you will really gather some of the information you need.

 

[masterswimmer]

The only thing that happens fast in this hobby is problems. Good things take time. The worlds natural reefs took more than six weeks to mature. You will be much happier, wealthier (spend less money duplicating unnecessary purchases), and proud to know you didn't submit any animals to suffering while cycling your tank. Can you add a fish to the tank while it's cycling? Yes. But be aware, it is a fish that is suffering and in pain. Ammonia will burn the gills on any fish. Don't do it.

Patience is one key to success in this hobby. The frag swap will offer you the opportunity to talk to many experienced, successful hobbyists, eager to share their knowledge with you. Many vendors there will have dry goods and livestock to get you started (depending upon where you are in your cycle).

Read, read, and read some more. You won't be sorry you did.

BTW, welcome to Manhattan Reefs. The best reef site on the world wide web.

Russ

 

[Mr.First]

In my experience it take 3 to 6 months for a tank to mature,

 

[drperetz]

...

sometime even longer....

If u speak of the algae fazes that we all went through, I feel like it never cycles...:lol_large

 

[spook830]

The help here has been excellent. MR paired with reading has assisted enourmously. I recently picked up a RO/DI unit , emptied the tank completely from the previous Freshwater setup and began cleaning the walls with the clean water and aqua wipes. I believe i'm ready to begin adding live rock and live sand. I assume i'll need a bed of 3" of sand for the goobies. My question now is where is the best place to go to buy about 60lbs of live sand and close to 70lbs of live rock at a good price because i've been seeing rediculous numbers out there.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Post a want to buy thread here.

 

[Mr.First]

House of Fish...

 

[masterswimmer]

House of Fish...

Thank you Brian. Anything we can do to help just give us a shout.

Russ