On Saturday I picked up a Solana from Aquatic Express. I also picked up live rock and live sand and salt. I later went to WWoF and picked up an RO and testing stuff. I put the stand together and filled the tank with tap water to test it for leaks. On Sunday I learned that a 50 gpd RO filter makes 34 gallons in 17 or so hours, less with the apartments using water, duh. On Monday night I had a full tank of RO'd water and began adding salt, meanwhile I kept the live rock wet with water that WWoF was nice enough to give to me. Yesterday I tested my water and had a SG of about 1.023, depending on which hydrometer I used, and the temperature was at 77'. I lowered the heaters control although part of it may be that my apartment was at 77', so I shut the radiator. My apartment in winter can be over 80' if I don't watch it. Later I did my first attemt at aquascaping. I added the live sand, 40 lbs. and the rock. I added "bio-magnet clarifier", which came with the livesand. My plan is to check the SG again and start testing for ammonia and nitrates, ph etc. The LFS sold me bio-spira, so I guess I add that soon. I'm going away on Aprl 2nd for 5 nights so I will not add fish until after that, even if I get good levels. I may add a CUC before I go. I will probably also add a little piece of raw fish to help things along.
The tank came with 2 lights, a 55 watt and a 150 watt. My plan is to go FOWLR, but may add coral once everything is very stable and consistant. I will not have the light on for a long time until I have fish, but will install it this weekend just to see things better. My plan is to do weekly 5 gal. water changes starting next weekend. Also do one the night before I go away and one the day after I get back.
Is my thinking correct? What do you folks think of the aquascaping? Yes, the picture is bad! Once I get a light on I will try again. I also have a few small pieces of rock left that I did not put in, so I can add more. Also, I am slightly concerned that the top rocks can be easily knocked over. My fish will be few and small but should I epoxy them together? Should I even out the sand more? Should I add a nano circulation pump on the left side?
Any advice is truly appreciated. I am an absolute beginner. I still have to figure out livestock but I have weeks for that. Here are 2 pictures:
The tank came with 2 lights, a 55 watt and a 150 watt. My plan is to go FOWLR, but may add coral once everything is very stable and consistant. I will not have the light on for a long time until I have fish, but will install it this weekend just to see things better. My plan is to do weekly 5 gal. water changes starting next weekend. Also do one the night before I go away and one the day after I get back.
Is my thinking correct? What do you folks think of the aquascaping? Yes, the picture is bad! Once I get a light on I will try again. I also have a few small pieces of rock left that I did not put in, so I can add more. Also, I am slightly concerned that the top rocks can be easily knocked over. My fish will be few and small but should I epoxy them together? Should I even out the sand more? Should I add a nano circulation pump on the left side?
Any advice is truly appreciated. I am an absolute beginner. I still have to figure out livestock but I have weeks for that. Here are 2 pictures:
