Starting A New Tank

[Psamson]

Starting a new tank this week. I have been out if the hobby for about ten years and find that the technology and sophistication has changed a bit.

Here is what I am starting with. Let me know if I am neglecting anything.

Current Cardiff tank and stand
AI Sol Led Light
DA Reef keeper lite with 2 PC4's a SL1 and ALC, temp and ph probes
Will be using to DA float switches with the RKL to control my ATO (aqua lifter)
Jbj Nano refugium light for the center rear chamber.

Shooting for 35 pounds of rock

Ultimate goal will be to get to some SPS but I will need to let the tank mature a while before I am comfortable with that so at first I will stick with some soft corals, mushrooms and a few fish to build my confidence.

1. Am I missing any life or death components before I set this up?

2. What would be the best 3-4 corals to start with for a person who has been out of the hobby a long time. (When I got out the Berlin Method was the big thing)

 

[d5332]

skimmer?
heater?
pump?

 

[Psamson]

Skimmer is the stock Cardiff, 150 watt heater with the RKL as the controller. The system has a return pump built in and I have 2 hydro Koralia to go inside and use the wave function on the RKL.

Guess I forgot to put those in the list thanks for reminding me.

 

[Jan]

I'd start with colorful softies and various shrooms if you're going for a mixed reef. Something you'll want to keep long term. Green Cabbage is really nice and very easy. So are green toadstool. St. Thomas Mushroom are very nice so are rhodactis. They're all easy to care for and come in many different colors.

Do a search on Live Aquaria & Divers Den to see what you like and what they require. then check out your LFS's and see if they have them or can get them for you.

Everything sounds great! Cardiffs are very sharp looking set ups. Post pics.

 

[Psamson]

I have finally added my rock. Put in about 15 pounds of Fiji and 17 pounds of FHI real reef. Added quick start. Now I get to sit and wait.

 

[Awibrandy]

Nice tank!!

Patience is your best friend in this hobby!

 

[d5332]

very nice tank, would love to start a seahorse tank in one of those.

 

[Koolaidreef]

Nice tank. Best aio out there!

 

[OCCofNY.com]

How are you going to maintain Alk, Mg, & Ca ?

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Very nice tank

 

[Psamson]

Planning on starting with the 2 part reef fusion, but I suspect I will have to change that as I move to more challenging species.

 

[Psamson]

Ok staring to think I screwed up by adding the bio spira. At day 6 now with no ammonia no nitrites and macro algae that seems way to damn happy.

 

[House of Laughter]

be patient and let it run it's course - it will show its ugly head soon enough.

Love the light shade - too funny

Good luck with it.

 

[noelskii]

I've always wanted to get one of those tanks. Closest I got to one was the 34 gallon solana! I would replace the glass top with a screen top.

 

[ruha456]

Cool tank keep the pics coming.

 

[vramirez209]

How long have u been in the cycle stage ?

 

[Psamson]

What is my benefit to swap out the glass for a screen on the top?

1 week on the cycle now.

 

[lnevo]

Better oxygen exchange. More evaporation which can be pro and con...less need for chiller but more replacement of RO...

 

[Psamson]

Do I need to add a Orp probe to my RKL?

 

[Psamson]

Finally getting to add some frags. Tank is doing great. Never got an ammonia, nitrite or nitrate spike. Guess the quick start did its job. And it helps that the rock was cured. But I waited anyway. Have the AI sol up to 45% and I am not sure how much higher I want to go.