This is a long post... Can anyone help a SW newbie???
I have been kinda collecting some stuff for a SW.
The tank is still up for debate as I am wanting to get rid of one or 2 FW tanks to thin out the collection.
Possibly getting a 70G tall cube 32" wide x 28" tall x 18" front to back. Just trying to decide if hubby would notice the 37G turning into a 70G...
Or could be a 16G bowfront or a 37G JEBO which I already own
***************
So far this is what I have
API standard test kit
Tank of some sort/size mentioned above.
About a half or so 5G bucket of reef rock very dried not recently used/seems fairly porous.
About 8 different coral skeletons very dry not recently used or dead
About 8" in a 5G bucket of crushed coral.
Some rocks, 2 large lace rocks which seem like conctete type toughness and one fluffy holey one with a circle in the middle and breaks apart very easily
AC110 Filter.
A half 4G bucket of several sizes of Bioballs
Also have a canister filter I have never used because it is missing a minor part and because the intake tube cover/screening thing falls off sometimes, would make me scared it would suck up a fish. It was used on a 40G planted and was said to be very adequate.
One Hydor Koralia powerhead.
Somewhere I have a UV filter thing but it may or may not work. It got left outside accidentally, and rained on a couple times. :/
Also have standard FW keeping stuff, like bulk filter material, etc.
For lights I have a 24" gold aluminum/metal Coralife fixture with a compact florescent pin type bulb, presently it has a FW bulb, but can buy the actinic or 50/50 type. 65W bulb
I have a 30" Aqueon light with 3 slots for LEDs presently 1 FW strip in there now. The Deep Blue Blue strip says it has about a 450nm color light. Not sure of the W or K rating. Aqueon Modular LED Aquarium Light Fixture, 30 inch.
Sooooooo..... I have tank, light, filter, stuff for inside like the rocks, can get some sand.
I like the Garnet sand which is a purple pink color, but is it bad to get a black sand or have the garnet sand color wise (have 1-2 inches worth already, could it be mixed with the crushed coral). I asked this question and got no firm response on using garnet sand and a possible "no" for dark sand, I know I could use pool filter, play or construction sand. As well as CaribSea sand from the store, or LS, but most people felt it wasn't worth the money???
I know I will need a way to measure the salinity, so refractometer or hydrometer?
Marine Salt
I have a 3 filter RO unit I used for a soda machine, I can find it in storage and hook it up sometime but initially I will probably use the machine at the grocery store when I can find out when they service and change the filters.
With this simple type set up, what kind of living things can go into it. I realize the size of the tank will dictate fish selection, so for the sake of getting something figured out lets just say it will be the 37G.
Will this work for a basic set up?
I wanted to get some good live rock, if the lighting would be able to sustain life.
For creatures, I was wanting some kind of Blenny, shrimp or couple varieties of shrimp, Hermit crabs (if they are alright), snail type critters and then just depending on tank size a few reasonably priced small fish after getting the tank cycled of course.
What kind of, softies or whatever the correct term for them will work in a tank like this. Also that aren't poisonous if they die or touch me or something else.
Sorry for the length But I need help and know some of you have time to share with a fellow AA fish nerd who wants to go try the salty side. Thank you in advance. I am trying not to really spend much money here, until I find there is just no going back or I just don't have the time or patience, lol!!! If I know I can do it and not go broke, and not have to get a 2nd job to finance it, then I will likely get a more intense set up.
I have been kinda collecting some stuff for a SW.
The tank is still up for debate as I am wanting to get rid of one or 2 FW tanks to thin out the collection.
Possibly getting a 70G tall cube 32" wide x 28" tall x 18" front to back. Just trying to decide if hubby would notice the 37G turning into a 70G...
Or could be a 16G bowfront or a 37G JEBO which I already own
***************
So far this is what I have
API standard test kit
Tank of some sort/size mentioned above.
About a half or so 5G bucket of reef rock very dried not recently used/seems fairly porous.
About 8 different coral skeletons very dry not recently used or dead
About 8" in a 5G bucket of crushed coral.
Some rocks, 2 large lace rocks which seem like conctete type toughness and one fluffy holey one with a circle in the middle and breaks apart very easily
AC110 Filter.
A half 4G bucket of several sizes of Bioballs
Also have a canister filter I have never used because it is missing a minor part and because the intake tube cover/screening thing falls off sometimes, would make me scared it would suck up a fish. It was used on a 40G planted and was said to be very adequate.
One Hydor Koralia powerhead.
Somewhere I have a UV filter thing but it may or may not work. It got left outside accidentally, and rained on a couple times. :/
Also have standard FW keeping stuff, like bulk filter material, etc.
For lights I have a 24" gold aluminum/metal Coralife fixture with a compact florescent pin type bulb, presently it has a FW bulb, but can buy the actinic or 50/50 type. 65W bulb
I have a 30" Aqueon light with 3 slots for LEDs presently 1 FW strip in there now. The Deep Blue Blue strip says it has about a 450nm color light. Not sure of the W or K rating. Aqueon Modular LED Aquarium Light Fixture, 30 inch.
Sooooooo..... I have tank, light, filter, stuff for inside like the rocks, can get some sand.
I like the Garnet sand which is a purple pink color, but is it bad to get a black sand or have the garnet sand color wise (have 1-2 inches worth already, could it be mixed with the crushed coral). I asked this question and got no firm response on using garnet sand and a possible "no" for dark sand, I know I could use pool filter, play or construction sand. As well as CaribSea sand from the store, or LS, but most people felt it wasn't worth the money???
I know I will need a way to measure the salinity, so refractometer or hydrometer?
Marine Salt
I have a 3 filter RO unit I used for a soda machine, I can find it in storage and hook it up sometime but initially I will probably use the machine at the grocery store when I can find out when they service and change the filters.
With this simple type set up, what kind of living things can go into it. I realize the size of the tank will dictate fish selection, so for the sake of getting something figured out lets just say it will be the 37G.
Will this work for a basic set up?
I wanted to get some good live rock, if the lighting would be able to sustain life.
For creatures, I was wanting some kind of Blenny, shrimp or couple varieties of shrimp, Hermit crabs (if they are alright), snail type critters and then just depending on tank size a few reasonably priced small fish after getting the tank cycled of course.
What kind of, softies or whatever the correct term for them will work in a tank like this. Also that aren't poisonous if they die or touch me or something else.
Sorry for the length But I need help and know some of you have time to share with a fellow AA fish nerd who wants to go try the salty side. Thank you in advance. I am trying not to really spend much money here, until I find there is just no going back or I just don't have the time or patience, lol!!! If I know I can do it and not go broke, and not have to get a 2nd job to finance it, then I will likely get a more intense set up.