Hello everyone. Glad I found this forum.
I have read many pages of threads and watched hours of youtube videos. I'm hoping for some input on what I could be doing wrong or better. I'm hoping to prevent a lot of issues since this is a big investment.
I plan on buying most of my stuff from the bulkreefsupply because their price seem reasonable and videos were helpful. If you have other websites to suggest, feel free to comment.
Materials to gather:
- 30 gallon tank (I have one already)
- RO/DI filter by BRS
- Instant ocean salt
- refractomer
- Substrate will be Fiji pink arag
- dry rock (instead of live rock)
- Canister filter by Hydor Pro 350 (rated for 60 to 100 gallon)
- Powerhead by hydor koralia Evolution 600 gph
- Heater
- digital thermostat
- test kit for pH, ammonia, nitrates and nitrites
- Instant ocean bio-spira
Steps:
- clean the tank without using chemicals
- Layer a bag of sand then aquascape with dry rock and use the rest of the sand.
- mix the salt with RO/DI water and fill the tank
- add in Instant ocean bio-spira to makeup for the live rock I won't be using
- Let the tank settle down for a day before...
- Run the Canister filter, powerhead and heater
- Wait one to two weeks before adding one fish at a time - probably going to start with a clown fish
What I'm skipping:
- Live rock, I pondered this many time but I rather not introduce any critters and don't want to cure the rocks for 2-4 weeks. I live in an apartment so it will smell pretty bad. I know live rock can be purchased cured but there is always the possibility.
- Protein skimmer - cost and effectiveness balance is a issue for me here
- LED, due to cost but eventually I want to get one like the Panorama Pro module
- I already own a HOF but I think a canister filter will be better in this case. Any thoughts? Most videos I've seen, everyone is using a HOF for a saltwater fish tank. A sump is a little too much for me now but I would eventually like to use one if I ever plan on adding corals.
I have read many pages of threads and watched hours of youtube videos. I'm hoping for some input on what I could be doing wrong or better. I'm hoping to prevent a lot of issues since this is a big investment.
I plan on buying most of my stuff from the bulkreefsupply because their price seem reasonable and videos were helpful. If you have other websites to suggest, feel free to comment.
Materials to gather:
- 30 gallon tank (I have one already)
- RO/DI filter by BRS
- Instant ocean salt
- refractomer
- Substrate will be Fiji pink arag
- dry rock (instead of live rock)
- Canister filter by Hydor Pro 350 (rated for 60 to 100 gallon)
- Powerhead by hydor koralia Evolution 600 gph
- Heater
- digital thermostat
- test kit for pH, ammonia, nitrates and nitrites
- Instant ocean bio-spira
Steps:
- clean the tank without using chemicals
- Layer a bag of sand then aquascape with dry rock and use the rest of the sand.
- mix the salt with RO/DI water and fill the tank
- add in Instant ocean bio-spira to makeup for the live rock I won't be using
- Let the tank settle down for a day before...
- Run the Canister filter, powerhead and heater
- Wait one to two weeks before adding one fish at a time - probably going to start with a clown fish
What I'm skipping:
- Live rock, I pondered this many time but I rather not introduce any critters and don't want to cure the rocks for 2-4 weeks. I live in an apartment so it will smell pretty bad. I know live rock can be purchased cured but there is always the possibility.
- Protein skimmer - cost and effectiveness balance is a issue for me here
- LED, due to cost but eventually I want to get one like the Panorama Pro module
- I already own a HOF but I think a canister filter will be better in this case. Any thoughts? Most videos I've seen, everyone is using a HOF for a saltwater fish tank. A sump is a little too much for me now but I would eventually like to use one if I ever plan on adding corals.