baconfingers
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hi guys, I’ve been doing my "first timer" research and am looking for some validation if one or two of you would be so kind.
For my first ever tank, I have the budget to buy a 90g-180g tank, and I want to filter w/ LR and sand. I’ll start w/ some live rock, and fill in with dead rock/sand (1.5 lbs of rock per gal) and use a DSB of 4-6".
I’ll take my time cycling, cycle w/ a raw shrimp instead of live fish, and invest in good power heads, lights, protein skimmer. I’ll buy or build a sump. I’ll test regularly and do water changes weekly to start and adjust as needed based on health of the system.
I’ll buy invert friendly fish and not over stock the tank and I’ll gradually introduce each fish in an ideal order while properly acclimating each.
I’ll feed the fish a mixed diet regularly and not dump the water I use to thaw the frozen food into the tank.
I’ll add enough inverts to consume algae. All animals (fish & inverts) will be reef safe so I can add corals later.
After long-term success (1y+) I’ll consider adding coral, and upgrade my lights accordingly.
I live in a condo so a home RO/DI unit is unrealistic, but I’ll make regular trips to the pet store to buy RO for my water changes.
How ambitious is this for a first timer, and am I missing anything?
Thanks!
For my first ever tank, I have the budget to buy a 90g-180g tank, and I want to filter w/ LR and sand. I’ll start w/ some live rock, and fill in with dead rock/sand (1.5 lbs of rock per gal) and use a DSB of 4-6".
I’ll take my time cycling, cycle w/ a raw shrimp instead of live fish, and invest in good power heads, lights, protein skimmer. I’ll buy or build a sump. I’ll test regularly and do water changes weekly to start and adjust as needed based on health of the system.
I’ll buy invert friendly fish and not over stock the tank and I’ll gradually introduce each fish in an ideal order while properly acclimating each.
I’ll feed the fish a mixed diet regularly and not dump the water I use to thaw the frozen food into the tank.
I’ll add enough inverts to consume algae. All animals (fish & inverts) will be reef safe so I can add corals later.
After long-term success (1y+) I’ll consider adding coral, and upgrade my lights accordingly.
I live in a condo so a home RO/DI unit is unrealistic, but I’ll make regular trips to the pet store to buy RO for my water changes.
How ambitious is this for a first timer, and am I missing anything?
Thanks!