Alvarez
Aquarium Advice Activist
Ok I finally got the tank and the stand... I haven't posted in a bit though. I posted awhile back and many said I actually didn't have to have a cannister filter. I now have the tank and stand and light and will be adding water etc and starting to cycle the saltwater tank.
The LFS said if I run live sand I cannot run a HOB filter I must use a cannister filter as the HOB will fail. He also said I should run an undergravel filter which will create a bed of good bacteria.
I know some of this is conflicting with advice here and I will need to choose whether I want a reef aquarium or crushed corral.
Whats the next step I want to learn the right way and get a thriving saltwater tank the way I learned well about cichlids and freshwater. (my cichlids are very happy and comfortable with no major mortalitys along the way)
I know I want live rock, a couple damsels, a couple perc's, a Yellow Tang, a Yellowtail tang, and a couple firefish...
Is the LFS right and HOB filters aren't compatible with sand? or can I get things started and move to a cannister later? Or must I get a cannister right off the start if I want live sand and live rock?
**EDIT**
Actually I had forgotten some of the original advice I was given and that a cannister or HOB was prolly not needed if I was using Live Rock.
Anyways I have the tank and the stand, I have all the patience in the world so I am in no rush. What is the next thing I should do. The LFS said 1st time through I can use tap water and Live Sand/Live rock. I thought you must always use RO water. What else will I need? Heater? Live Sand, Live Rock?
What should be my next step? I know about the shrimp decaying to get the cycle started... Should I get the Live Rock and Sand in there and then add the water and sand or should I add a certain amount of water and sand and then add the LR and LS? Should I get a heater on there ASAP also and what temp should it be?
The LFS said if I run live sand I cannot run a HOB filter I must use a cannister filter as the HOB will fail. He also said I should run an undergravel filter which will create a bed of good bacteria.
I know some of this is conflicting with advice here and I will need to choose whether I want a reef aquarium or crushed corral.
Whats the next step I want to learn the right way and get a thriving saltwater tank the way I learned well about cichlids and freshwater. (my cichlids are very happy and comfortable with no major mortalitys along the way)
I know I want live rock, a couple damsels, a couple perc's, a Yellow Tang, a Yellowtail tang, and a couple firefish...
Is the LFS right and HOB filters aren't compatible with sand? or can I get things started and move to a cannister later? Or must I get a cannister right off the start if I want live sand and live rock?
**EDIT**
Actually I had forgotten some of the original advice I was given and that a cannister or HOB was prolly not needed if I was using Live Rock.
Anyways I have the tank and the stand, I have all the patience in the world so I am in no rush. What is the next thing I should do. The LFS said 1st time through I can use tap water and Live Sand/Live rock. I thought you must always use RO water. What else will I need? Heater? Live Sand, Live Rock?
What should be my next step? I know about the shrimp decaying to get the cycle started... Should I get the Live Rock and Sand in there and then add the water and sand or should I add a certain amount of water and sand and then add the LR and LS? Should I get a heater on there ASAP also and what temp should it be?