First timer

[Guy554]

Well I bought the saltwater aquarium for dummies and I also bought this one.

 

[Guy554]

So I started reading the SW aquarium for dummies, I'm couple pages in to chapter there and so far a lot of info on stuff u should know. I would recommend this book.

 

[KPhilly]

I just got one for 17 bucks.

 

[Guy554]

So I was just at my LFS and the lady gave me an awesome idea. Make ur own live rock if u have time to wait. I have time to wait so I'm going to go buy a 40 gallon breeder and put like 5-10 lbs of live rock and how ever much rock that will work to make ur own. Instead of $8 a pound for rock or $2-$3 a pound. Something to think about.

 

[carey]

I mostly use base rock myself and seed it with the live. I have over 500lbs of rock I'd say in total but only purchased about 30-40lbs of live to get all that. LOL Definitely a money saver. After a few weeks it will be "live" and after a couple months you wont be able to tell the difference.

 

[KPhilly]

Yeah, I think I'll go with that idea too. I need to save money. How much base rock and how much live rock would anyone recommend?

 

[Guy554]

Well start out with 5-10 lbs and couple pounds of a rock that the live stuff will make a home in. And make the saltwater and a breeder or big tub and a HOB filter and a grow and keep the tank about 72-75 degrees and feed it a little do a water change once a month. I would do a little more research but that's what the lady at my LFS told me. I'm going back in Friday to get a tank and water

 

[KPhilly]

Why would I need a HOB though if I have a refugium?

 

[Guy554]

What's a refugium

 

[KPhilly]

What's a refugium

It's a part in your sump, or can be separate, where you grow good algea, get filtration, and grow things to feed your fish with. I've heard of people using a HOB to grow things. It basically gives shelter.

 

[Guy554]

Since I'm not housing any fish or coral she said ui should have something and HOB will work but no carbon. I don't have anything else for SW and it cheep.

 

[KPhilly]

I don't quite understand. I'm having a reef tank, and my filtration is going to be a sump. But that's mainly because I have such a large tank. How big is your tank? 40G? You should talk with some members on here. You could probably make a 10G sump or something.

 

[Guy554]

75 with 40 gallon sump with about 20-30 gallon of water in the sump.

 

[KPhilly]

Are you building your sump or is it factory made?

 

[Guy554]

I'm buying a 75 gallon SW ready tank and a 40 gallon breeder tank for my sump and ill buy some kind of a protein skimmer and return pump an etc

 

[KPhilly]

Consider making yourself a fuge.

 

[Guy554]

Fuge? Sorry haven't much time to do more research or keep up on this stuff.

 

[KPhilly]

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f45/stupid-question-what-is-a-refugium-13972.html

You can use a HOB.

 

[KPhilly]

Fuge us another word for refugium.

 

[Guy554]

Oh ok well I don't plan in having my tank set up for some time but I figure I will have enough time to make at least 150 lbs of live Rock