Buffy's 1st Ever SW Build - Reef Tank

[jsmith]

Pictures or it was a dream...

 

[Buffy]

Pictures today

 

[Buffy]

Yay!!!!!!!!! Gonna have pics soon

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!Just finished getting the rock done.

Adding Water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures Soon

 

[Buffy]

Pictures Finally

OK, I am done with the rock I have except for the live rock outside. I just finished adding the water I have, am making more.

As you can see, right now the only thing plugged in are the lights. Tonite I hope to have the rest of the water made and then I START CYCLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you can see through the clouds

 

[Buffy]

Sand

This is how much sand I took back out.

It's in a 10 gallon Brute.

 

[Buffy]

Well I posted pictures as requested, nobody looked I guess.

I need bout 1 1/2 more inches water. Am adding salt to tank now. When temp is up and salinity is good, I will be adding Ammonia to start cycle.

 

[scottayy]

Looking very good!

 

[Buffy]

Thanks

 

[scottayy]

I kind of miss this stage of my ongoing build lol.

 

[nohika]

I've been following. I just don't post much.

 

[Buffy]

I've been following. I just don't post much.

kk, no prob. follow along.


Still adding salt, it's mixing pretty well. Temp is coming up.

 

[carey]

I looked. I'm just still not up to speed. Kinda bummed still......

You are making alot of prgress, youre almost there

 

[Buffy]

Anybody know how much ammonia I should add? I've read bout doing it two diferent ways so I'm kinda lost. Or would it just be better to go buy a raw shimp from the grocery store?

 

[carey]

I like the ammonia method myself. I don't know how much your supposed to add though, I added by teaspoons and kept testing until it hit over 4ppm. I eneded up way overdosing and it still came out ok.

Theres an article on here somewhere with the exact dosing.

Good luck!

 

[Buffy]

I found this post in another forum when I googled it.

2 Ammonia methods of cycling your fishless tank

 

[Buffy]

What salt does everyone use and why? I'm gonna be out of salt when I do my first pwc and I want to get the "right" stuff. I'll start.

I have Instant Ocean Sea Salt. Why--because that's what the LFS said I needed.

 

[carey]

There are so many opinions on salt it isnt funny. I started with regular I/O and now use I/O reef crystals. I like my salt ok, just havent had a chance to try others yet. It's one of those preference things lol

 

[1Vampiregirl]

Hi Buffy,
I'm using IO reef crystals too now and I also have about half a box of Tropic Marin left. I didn't find much of a difference between the two except IO reef gives me a much higher CA reading and costs less.

 

[Buffy]

Awesome, I want to use reef crystals for sure because of Calcium. (Only cause I read it. Haven't researched it yet). I need a test kit for Calcium, Phosphate and probably other stuff.

What do you guys keep your Salinity at? I'm reading between 1.025 and 1.027, so I was gonna shoot for 1.026.

Also once my tank is cycled, how do I keep it "Fish/Coral Ready", Depends on my schedule when I can make my first order. Then do I do a fish first or some kind of clean up crew first or do I do them together?

Also lastly (for now) I need a basic QT Tank. I believe need (only have the tank):

1 10 Gallon Tank
1 heater
1 filter - what one/kind?
Lights - Are basic run of mill ok?
Subtrate?
Rock?

Some kind of acclimation set-up - what do I need for that?

 

[carey]

I keep my salinity at 1.025, I believe natural sea water is at 1.0265.

You wont need a light for the qt I wouldnt think.

For acclimation I get little painters buckets, like 1/2 g ones and out the fish/invert in there and then add the tank water t that.