hello everyone my name is mark. this is my first time setting up a saltwater tank, i am trying to keep this tank simple and dont want to pour too much money into it but still want to do this properly.
i have decided to go with a FOWLR set up
i got a free 120L tank (im Australian) off a friend and found 2 aqua one internal 350L/H filters at work (i work at a recycling center) they were brand new in the box !
on saturday i went to the LFS and picked up a new 150w heater, in tank hydrometer and a 4kg bag of red sea salt which perfectly mixes 120L of water
i got home set my tank up filled it with water, treated it with dechlorinator, mixed in the salt and set up my heater and 2 filters up and left it do do its thing.
today i woke up and checked the specific gravity of the water. it is currently reading 1.024 and water temp is 25 degrees.
i had a spare bag of aragonite sand in the garage that i put in a bucket and cleaned thoroughly. with a cup i scooped up the sand and spread it over the bottom of the tank. i then went to the LFS and purchased 5kg of cured live rock and put that in the tank and adjusted the filters to be directing current around the rock
this is my first time and im hoping what i have done so far has been correct. from what i understand i need to let the tank cycle for a few weeks ? to develop bacteria. do i have to do water changes as normal every week or would that effect the bacteria ?
also is it safe to add a couple clown fish anytime soon ? i read that people put fish in to help cycle a new tank ?
any help would be appreciated im here to learn
i have decided to go with a FOWLR set up
i got a free 120L tank (im Australian) off a friend and found 2 aqua one internal 350L/H filters at work (i work at a recycling center) they were brand new in the box !
on saturday i went to the LFS and picked up a new 150w heater, in tank hydrometer and a 4kg bag of red sea salt which perfectly mixes 120L of water
i got home set my tank up filled it with water, treated it with dechlorinator, mixed in the salt and set up my heater and 2 filters up and left it do do its thing.
today i woke up and checked the specific gravity of the water. it is currently reading 1.024 and water temp is 25 degrees.
i had a spare bag of aragonite sand in the garage that i put in a bucket and cleaned thoroughly. with a cup i scooped up the sand and spread it over the bottom of the tank. i then went to the LFS and purchased 5kg of cured live rock and put that in the tank and adjusted the filters to be directing current around the rock
this is my first time and im hoping what i have done so far has been correct. from what i understand i need to let the tank cycle for a few weeks ? to develop bacteria. do i have to do water changes as normal every week or would that effect the bacteria ?
also is it safe to add a couple clown fish anytime soon ? i read that people put fish in to help cycle a new tank ?
any help would be appreciated im here to learn