Not new to aquariums - but finally starting saltwater

[Tarunc]

Hello All. First things first, I would like to thank everyone on this forum. The advice is extremely valuable and I have done a lot of reading in the past few weeks..

I have been keeping freshwater aquariums since I was about 10 years old...30+ years now. I have always been petrified of starting saltwater and so I came here and started the process.

Equipment: 60 Gallon tank, Emperor 400 Hang on Filter, Top Fin 300w Heater, Koralia Evolution 1150 power head, standard flourescent lights, about 25lbs of live rock, 40lb base of crushed coral.

I started the tank a few days ago with clean ro/di water and Instant Ocean salt for 50 gallons. I also added a bottle of off the shelf Bio-Spira to get started.

Salt levels are OK...am going to get a proper testing kit in the next few days...I got some strips which were obviously a scam since they dont test for ammonia. PH, Nitrites, Alkalinity, and Nitrates all seem fine for the time being.

Much to my surprise I see 2 things clinging on to the glass--no idea what they are but very hard to take pictures of. The tank is clear, filtration is good and biowheels are working.

What I know I need: More live rock (budget constraints), better lighting, and eventually (very far down the road) a sump/wet-dry system.

I have picked the humane way to cycle the tank and will let it go for a long time to come before adding livestock to it. Once I have a 'real' test kit this weekend, I will test water and post results.

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

You can use base rock it's usually 1/3 the price of LR, it will turn live over time.

 

[Tarunc]

Just did a water test with the API test kit. Results are PH is about 8.1, Ammonia 0, nitrites 0.25, nitrates 5+. Thoughts??

 

[Macscale]

What was your ammonia source?

 

[Tarunc]

A cocktail shrimp and some instant ocean bio-spira.

 

[Macscale]

All seems good.

 

[Tarunc]

Thanks. Going to wait another week and let it cycle more before adding live stock.

 

[Tarunc]

Also thinking LED to replace the included Fluorescent hoods... Was looking at the CURRENT USA ORBIT MARINE LED AQUARIUM FIXTURE 48"-60" - WIRELESS RAMP TIMER PRO.

Thoughts?

 

[bribo12]

Should be ok for softies and some lps but no sps or clams

 

[Macscale]

Yeah, LPS and softies, I've seen tanks with a few hard SPS right at the top, but they probably have a supplement light with it:

 

[Macscale]

If you want to grow everything, grab two ebay panels, $100 a peice.