St4rving_4rtist
- #1
Hello everyone, I have been an avid freshwater fish-keeper for a while now, and I decided that it was time to try to jump into saltwater with another Craigslist purchase. I'm starting with a Fluval Evo 13.5g that I got with a small heater and 2 chunks of live rock for $70. It is pretty much the exact tank out-of box, with the original hood and light as well. Because I didn't realize I was getting cured live rock with the tank (I thought it was gonna be dry), I had to pretty much set it all up today. Anyways, 15 gallons of RO Saltwater from the LFS and one bag of CaribSea Argonite sand later, I was business. I had done a ton of research on the Fluval 13.5g and how to set it up (There's a lot of helpful YouTube tutorials out there), but I was really going to try and do a dry-start and not use Live rock. The end-goal for this tank for me will probably be a pair of clownfish, some cleaner inverts, and some super easy corals (I don't really have a good Idea of what corals I want yet, it will really all depend on what my LFS is stocking). I did have a question about something the LFS said though. The guy there said that if its cured live rock, then I won't have to do any cycling and it will be ready for fish in 24-48 hours. Coming from the freshwater side, this does make sense as you can essentially do the same thing in a freshwater tank by just putting filter media into a new tank from an established one to get the Nitrifying bacteria instantly in the tank, but I wanted to make sure this actually works. Another question is that I have it kinda next to a window, so should I block off the back to not let sunlight in? Helpful tips would be appreciated.
Maintenance Plan: I plan on toping the tank off with RO freshwater as I need to during the week and then doing a 40% (5g) water change every Wednesday along with my freshwater tanks.
Here's what I just ordered today on Amazon, and my future Wishlist:
- an attachable random flow generator for the output pipe to replace the two duckbills it comes with.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077LBWFJV/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A14IZ8JAGKKH3G&psc=1
Wishlist:
-Powerhead, probably the Hydor Koralia Nano 240
- Either setting up a refugium in the back chamber or putting a surface skimmer
-Possibly an airstone? I've seen people say these are helpful when put next to the pump.
-Refractometer: I'm not making any of my own water, I'm just going to buy it from the LFS so I don't have to worry about correctly mixing water or making RO water.
I'm sure there's some stuff I'm missing that I should definitely get ASAP, and if there's something you think I should add please tell me! The whole reason i'm making this is so you guys can help me make sure I'm not doing something utterly stupid (which I have been know to do). Thanks!
Maintenance Plan: I plan on toping the tank off with RO freshwater as I need to during the week and then doing a 40% (5g) water change every Wednesday along with my freshwater tanks.
Here's what I just ordered today on Amazon, and my future Wishlist:
- an attachable random flow generator for the output pipe to replace the two duckbills it comes with.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077LBWFJV/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A14IZ8JAGKKH3G&psc=1
Wishlist:
-Powerhead, probably the Hydor Koralia Nano 240
- Either setting up a refugium in the back chamber or putting a surface skimmer
-Possibly an airstone? I've seen people say these are helpful when put next to the pump.
-Refractometer: I'm not making any of my own water, I'm just going to buy it from the LFS so I don't have to worry about correctly mixing water or making RO water.
I'm sure there's some stuff I'm missing that I should definitely get ASAP, and if there's something you think I should add please tell me! The whole reason i'm making this is so you guys can help me make sure I'm not doing something utterly stupid (which I have been know to do). Thanks!