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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| I want to get a saltwater tank.
I want to get a saltwater tank. I am looking on Craig’s list to see if I can find a used one so I can save some cash. Don’t have a dispensable income. I like to get a tank ether 55 gallons or 75. I need some help on what equipment I will need, should I go with crushed coral, sand or sand and coral. I plan on getting two clownfish, a dwarf angel fish, a goby and maybe a royal gamma. I also like small invets like clams and sponges deffinatly an anemone; I am a little intimidated because there is a lot more to salt than freshwater. What about live rock? I read somewhere that cycling with live rock can take up to a year. Any advice suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.  | 
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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| The live rock will help speed along the waters nitrogen cycle and is also a great additional bio filter for your SW tank. It can take up to a year for the live rock to cure, get the purplish pink coralline algae you will need IF you are doing a reef set up. You can get some already cured or start out fresh. It can be pretty expensive though. The recommended amount is 1-2 pounds of LR per gallon, so if you go with a 55 gallon tank you're looking at 55+ lbs of live rock at around $10/lb (that's what my LFS charges for Fiji).
I use live sand in mine, I haven't heard any pro's or con's on the crushed coral.
I highly recommend reading up on anemones! They are difficult to maintain and require certain lighting, heating, filtration and water quality which can get pretty pricey also! I went with a RedSea Max because it has all that already with the tank and stand, kind of takes the headache out of the set up. You can always upgrade if needed but, the equiptment it comes with is sufficient for a reef tank.
I hope it helps a little! I'm kind of new to the SW game too. | |
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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by reefdude  The live rock will help speed along the waters nitrogen cycle and is also a great additional bio filter for your SW tank. It can take up to a year for the live rock to cure, get the purplish pink coralline algae you will need IF you are doing a reef set up. You can get some already cured or start out fresh. It can be pretty expensive though. The recommended amount is 1-2 pounds of LR per gallon, so if you go with a 55 gallon tank you're looking at 55+ lbs of live rock at around $10/lb (that's what my LFS charges for Fiji).
I use live sand in mine, I haven't heard any pro's or con's on the crushed coral.
I highly recommend reading up on anemones! They are difficult to maintain and require certain lighting, heating, filtration and water quality which can get pretty pricey also! I went with a RedSea Max because it has all that already with the tank and stand, kind of takes the headache out of the set up. You can always upgrade if needed but, the equiptment it comes with is sufficient for a reef tank.
I hope it helps a little! I'm kind of new to the SW game too. |
I was wondering how people liked the "red sea max" my husband has been eyeing them, I think when I upgrade sizes of tanks we will go with the larger sized red sea max or a 40g breeder. I like the all in one setups thats how I ended up with my biocube.
For a cheaper live rock option you might want to check out sea life inc 's website or liveaquairas packages. | |
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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by steveangela1 I was wondering how people liked the "red sea max" my husband has been eyeing them, I think when I upgrade sizes of tanks we will go with the larger sized red sea max or a 40g breeder. I like the all in one setups thats how I ended up with my biocube.
For a cheaper live rock option you might want to check out sea life inc 's website or liveaquairas packages. | I love the all in one set ups Angela! It really does take the hassle out of it and lets you focus on the fun things! I got the 34 gal Max and I love it. My only regret is I should've done a little more homework and opted for the larger one, just for the simple fact that you can get certain species of fish in it that you can't in a 34 gal. But, it's a beauty! The feature I love most I guess is there is only 1 power cord, which when you get a bunch of them going it can be an eye sore! Not to mention a safety hazard... I say go for it! Surprise your husband and go get him one! ( it took me about 2 hours to put it all together, stand included, not too bad) | |
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June 23rd, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by reefdude I love the all in one set ups Angela! It really does take the hassle out of it and lets you focus on the fun things! I got the 34 gal Max and I love it. My only regret is I should've done a little more homework and opted for the larger one, just for the simple fact that you can get certain species of fish in it that you can't in a 34 gal. But, it's a beauty! The feature I love most I guess is there is only 1 power cord, which when you get a bunch of them going it can be an eye sore! Not to mention a safety hazard... I say go for it! Surprise your husband and go get him one! ( it took me about 2 hours to put it all together, stand included, not too bad) | Ah.. It will be a few months before we get a bigger sw tank. We have the baby due in August and our extra finances are g oing towards that. Im lucky to get a couple fish here and there, my chemicals, and food for them. After she gets here and our medical bills are done with from that it will be back to fun. Besides I do all the aquarium maintence so it would be my tank. He jsut likes to look at the pretty fish lol. | |
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June 24th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by steveangela1 I was wondering how people liked the "red sea max" my husband has been eyeing them, I think when I upgrade sizes of tanks we will go with the larger sized red sea max or a 40g breeder. I like the all in one setups thats how I ended up with my biocube. | I like the RSM, but at the same time I find it overpriced. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice setup, but the lighting really isn't anything special and you could probably piece together something nicer if you hold out for Craigslist deals. They call it HO T5 lighting for some reason, but it's just a couple of power compacts. Hubby and I are getting ready to upgrade our 20 gallon to a 50 gallon (same footprint as 40 breeder, but a little taller), and we found someone selling a 6x 39W HO T5 and a 20 gal sump for $250. The light alone retails for $320. We really wanted to have a ton of options for this tank, maybe getting into SPS corals and clams a little bit. If you aren't interested in that though, the RSM might be a good choice.  | |
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July 25th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| It's nice to be back. Well I got my 55 gallon saltwater set up. I got some pc lights 240w with moonlights. I added 30 lbs of 100% cured live rock. I even got some nice hitchikers that came with the rock. Still need about 25 or so lbs. I got two clown in ther now and a small clean up crew. 2 Peppermint shrimp and four snails and one blue hermit that came with the rock. All my water parameters are good. 0-0-0 pH 8.2. I am working on getting a calcium test kit and alk. Just an up date for you guys. Pics comeng soon. Beeen kinda hected around here with the baby and all she's 7 weeks old on Saturday . Thank you fish lore !!!!! | |
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July 25th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Hello Carlos! Everything sounds wonderful. Will be looking forward to the pictures. Have a great weekend! Sure is nice seeing everyone's text again isn't it?
Take care. | |
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July 25th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I love reading about people setting up SW for the first time. As a newbee myself it's cool that I understand the lingo. At first I was actually scared but having listened to the more experienced, reading all that I could and can about the hobby I now am wondering why I was scared in the first place. My lil 8g nano has been right on from day one. I set it up mid June 09 and today I've got a nice lil assortment of polyps, a cool CUC and a Watch Man Goby and a Fire fish all are doing wonderful! Can ya tell I'm one proud mama, lol.
Good luck and make quick with the pic's!!!! | |
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July 30th, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by aquarist48 Hello Carlos! Everything sounds wonderful. Will be looking forward to the pictures. Have a great weekend! Sure is nice seeing everyone's text again isn't it?
Take care. | Here you guys go. enjoy, I still have lots for work to do on it. more pics in my album.
Last edited by carlos413; July 30th, 2009 at 03:53 PM.
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