Spartachris
Aquarium Advice Regular
I decided to start a thread for my new tank. Here's the background.
I always wanted to get into a sw tank, and caught a great deal on a 55g Hex. Not my first choice, but it was too good to pass up. I refinished the base and started getting equipment.
I'm on a strict (and small) budget, so some of my choices go a little against the grain. I'd love some feedback, though.
Right now I've got about 1.5" of live sand and 15 lbs of uncured live rock I picked up yesterday. I have an ac70 HOB and removed the sponge as the rock cures. In the next week or two I plan on adding another 10 lbs of live rock, and then round 30 lbs of base rock my dad is picking up in Fort Myers FL--off the beach and out of the ground. He's also bringing back some sand out of the surf to add to what I have. I'm aiming for 4" DSB and 75 lbs of rock before I start adding fish. Also planning on adding a few koralias, one high and one low to help with circulation.
My lighting right now is DIY: three 23w compact florescents (6500K). They light up the tank pretty well, though I don't think it would work well for corals, though some low to moderate light ones may work (?).
Now a few questions:
1. Will the sand from the surf/beach be safe for the tank? Dad got it from a pretty secluded beach on Sanibel Island, out where the surf rolls in.
2. The rock he is picking up was dug up when a driveway was put in, and a few pieces out of the ground near the beach. Haven't seen it yet, but would I need to wash, boil or treat it before I add it to the tank?
I'll include some pictures when I get them uploaded to my laptop.
I always wanted to get into a sw tank, and caught a great deal on a 55g Hex. Not my first choice, but it was too good to pass up. I refinished the base and started getting equipment.
I'm on a strict (and small) budget, so some of my choices go a little against the grain. I'd love some feedback, though.
Right now I've got about 1.5" of live sand and 15 lbs of uncured live rock I picked up yesterday. I have an ac70 HOB and removed the sponge as the rock cures. In the next week or two I plan on adding another 10 lbs of live rock, and then round 30 lbs of base rock my dad is picking up in Fort Myers FL--off the beach and out of the ground. He's also bringing back some sand out of the surf to add to what I have. I'm aiming for 4" DSB and 75 lbs of rock before I start adding fish. Also planning on adding a few koralias, one high and one low to help with circulation.
My lighting right now is DIY: three 23w compact florescents (6500K). They light up the tank pretty well, though I don't think it would work well for corals, though some low to moderate light ones may work (?).
Now a few questions:
1. Will the sand from the surf/beach be safe for the tank? Dad got it from a pretty secluded beach on Sanibel Island, out where the surf rolls in.
2. The rock he is picking up was dug up when a driveway was put in, and a few pieces out of the ground near the beach. Haven't seen it yet, but would I need to wash, boil or treat it before I add it to the tank?
I'll include some pictures when I get them uploaded to my laptop.