Hello,
This past XMAS my wife bought me a 45 gallon tank. This is my second tank but lets assume that I am as "new" as they come. I would like to set up a reef tank and I have the following questions. The tank has about 10 lbs of live rock, some blue legged hermit crabs, 2 sand sifter starfish, and a Cascade 700 canister filter:
1.) Is it possible to have live corals with a canister filter (assuming proper light)?
2.) The tank originally had the live rock for 2wks... and then the hermits and starfish 3wks (5 wks total). Would this be sufficient to cycle? Brown algae is starting to grow on the glass.
3.) Can distilled water be used for topping off or is RO water a must?
4.) I want to add more liverock and I want to add fish. Can I add both at the same time or first the liverock, then the fish?
5.) I believe a protein skimmer is necessary. Any suggestions for this size tank. I would prefer one that can go below under the stand like the canister filter.
6.) If the answer to question 1 is no... would you suggest a wet/dry or algae filter. Are these viable for this size tank?
I am sure I will have more questions but this is a start.
Thank you
This past XMAS my wife bought me a 45 gallon tank. This is my second tank but lets assume that I am as "new" as they come. I would like to set up a reef tank and I have the following questions. The tank has about 10 lbs of live rock, some blue legged hermit crabs, 2 sand sifter starfish, and a Cascade 700 canister filter:
1.) Is it possible to have live corals with a canister filter (assuming proper light)?
2.) The tank originally had the live rock for 2wks... and then the hermits and starfish 3wks (5 wks total). Would this be sufficient to cycle? Brown algae is starting to grow on the glass.
3.) Can distilled water be used for topping off or is RO water a must?
4.) I want to add more liverock and I want to add fish. Can I add both at the same time or first the liverock, then the fish?
5.) I believe a protein skimmer is necessary. Any suggestions for this size tank. I would prefer one that can go below under the stand like the canister filter.
6.) If the answer to question 1 is no... would you suggest a wet/dry or algae filter. Are these viable for this size tank?
I am sure I will have more questions but this is a start.
Thank you