Hi, very nice forum, glad I found it.
I'm just starting into SW, and aquariums in general.
I bought a 29 gal tank with the generic lighting.
After finding a different LFS I've decided I definatly want to get some corals but would also like a number of fish also.
Currently I have a 1/2in. live sand, a WD filter, standard cheapo light that came with my tank, and a PH. Along with 1 small fish. The tank is 1 week old. The NH3 is low, and so is the NO2. I just found out yesterday that the dechlorinated tap water is very hard here, and the ?KG? is like 18 ?berlin units? . Can't remember exactly what the test was since I'm not at home.
Anyways, two multi-question questions.
First, does the KG test indicate that I won't be able to use Tap water, and I need to get distilled or reverse osmosis water? Or perhaps its "eaten by corals"? Since I thought it was a test for calcium carbonate.
Second, is the next step in moving toward a reef and fish aquarium buying LR? Do I need to buy new lighting right away? What type of lighting should I get? How do I identify good and bad LR from the LFS? Does the fact that the rock is covered in a 1/4 inch of multi-colored goo a good sign or bad sign or no sign at all.
I'm just starting into SW, and aquariums in general.
I bought a 29 gal tank with the generic lighting.
After finding a different LFS I've decided I definatly want to get some corals but would also like a number of fish also.
Currently I have a 1/2in. live sand, a WD filter, standard cheapo light that came with my tank, and a PH. Along with 1 small fish. The tank is 1 week old. The NH3 is low, and so is the NO2. I just found out yesterday that the dechlorinated tap water is very hard here, and the ?KG? is like 18 ?berlin units? . Can't remember exactly what the test was since I'm not at home.
Anyways, two multi-question questions.
First, does the KG test indicate that I won't be able to use Tap water, and I need to get distilled or reverse osmosis water? Or perhaps its "eaten by corals"? Since I thought it was a test for calcium carbonate.
Second, is the next step in moving toward a reef and fish aquarium buying LR? Do I need to buy new lighting right away? What type of lighting should I get? How do I identify good and bad LR from the LFS? Does the fact that the rock is covered in a 1/4 inch of multi-colored goo a good sign or bad sign or no sign at all.