Hey guys... thanks for all the good information on the forum. Based on this I have this in mind.
My goal is to do a fish-only tank with a porcupine puffer OR a lion fish. I would LOVE to do both but have read mixed reviews about the two together. I sure as **** don't want a tank with a puffer and a nipped up lionfish. Anywhoo...
I already have a 56 gallon tank running with a Marineland Biowheel Power Filter Emperor 400, along with the advised amounts of API Stress Zyme and Stress Coat. There is 30 lbs of crushed coral (geo-marine aragonite formula) and the salt is from Instant Ocean.
Here is my "checkout cart" from Drs. Foster and Smith. I'd like to wait on this order to be sure its good:
Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer 65 gallon; Any comments on this one? Overall the reviews were ok but a few bad ones here and there. This one is more in my budget.
Flora-Glo 24" 20 watt bulb
Visi-Therm Deluxe Heater 300 Watt
And here come the questions...
First off... my water is a bit cloudy and I'm assuming the reason is because I did not completely rinse off the crushed coral before adding it. Will this go away when I add the protein skimmer and with water changes?
What are some recommended test kits for testing water? I could not find any good reviews. What do you think of API master liquid test kit or Tetra Deluxe Laborett? What do you use to test your water?
Should I drop a raw shrimp in there to get this going?
For a fish-only tank, do I need live rock?
For lights my LFS suggested Flora-glo lamps for a fish-only tank, is this good enough?
Thanks for all your help!
My goal is to do a fish-only tank with a porcupine puffer OR a lion fish. I would LOVE to do both but have read mixed reviews about the two together. I sure as **** don't want a tank with a puffer and a nipped up lionfish. Anywhoo...
I already have a 56 gallon tank running with a Marineland Biowheel Power Filter Emperor 400, along with the advised amounts of API Stress Zyme and Stress Coat. There is 30 lbs of crushed coral (geo-marine aragonite formula) and the salt is from Instant Ocean.
Here is my "checkout cart" from Drs. Foster and Smith. I'd like to wait on this order to be sure its good:
Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer 65 gallon; Any comments on this one? Overall the reviews were ok but a few bad ones here and there. This one is more in my budget.
Flora-Glo 24" 20 watt bulb
Visi-Therm Deluxe Heater 300 Watt
And here come the questions...
First off... my water is a bit cloudy and I'm assuming the reason is because I did not completely rinse off the crushed coral before adding it. Will this go away when I add the protein skimmer and with water changes?
What are some recommended test kits for testing water? I could not find any good reviews. What do you think of API master liquid test kit or Tetra Deluxe Laborett? What do you use to test your water?
Should I drop a raw shrimp in there to get this going?
For a fish-only tank, do I need live rock?
For lights my LFS suggested Flora-glo lamps for a fish-only tank, is this good enough?
Thanks for all your help!