My first SW tank shopping spree, critique please....

J

joe schmoe

AC Members
Sep 20, 2000
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I'm taking the plunge. Never done SW before, but have always been fascinated by it...so here goes. I'm starting off with a 30g (30"X12"X18"), stand, and old Bio-wheel Pro 60 which I don't think will be much of an asset.

I've ordered the following...let me know if I've strayed :cool:

-Aqualight Deluxe Series 30" 2x65 Coralife LUNAR $173.00
-(2) HelloLights 55/65W 50/50 10K/Act03 Straight Pin $11.50ea
-Coralife Super Skimmer - Needle Wheel SS-33000 $99.90
-Deep Six Hydrometer $7.49
-40lbs Arag-Alive Fiji Pink $53.98
-Stainless Steel Heater (150W) $18.49
-Aqua Gloves Pair $15.99
-(2) Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump Model 600 (160 gph) $25.98
-Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump Pre-filter Sponge (2 pk) $15.98 (oops, didn't realize these were 2pks :rant: )
-(2) Rotating Deflector FLO $19.98 (wanted to try these out...just for kicks)
-Aquarium Systems Synthetic Sea Salts Instant Ocean 160 gallon mix $37.99 (premix is not an option)
-Whisper Filter 30 $16.79 (wanted something for mechanical filtration WITHOUT carbon - never liked aquaclears)
-Whisper Bio-Bags (12 pk) $8.29 (again, doesn't HAVE to have carbon)


Questions...
1. Just how much will Arag-alive help me, if at all?
2. Too much flow from the 2 powerheads?
3. I just realized that I forgot to order a "wavemaker" power strip for the power heads as I intended...is there any point to this?
4. Can Sparkletts water be used for fills/water changes? Driving with 5 gal jugs could be problematic...

If anyone would be so kind as to post a timeline for what to do following setting SG and stabilizing temps...

Something like:
-2 days to allow tank to settle
-add Bio-Spiro and wait 3 days
-add 20 lbs live rock and wait 7 days
-add 2 fish (really pulling for this one :dance2: )


THANKS in advance.
 
A Cycle time period can vary, once Ammonia and Nitrite are both at 0, then you can add fish, but its important to know what type of fish you want :)
 
Have no idea. I'm aiming for "easy", 2-3", and unagressive so as not to limit my options. Nothing more specific than that. I haven't even visited a pet store to examine what kind of stock is available. The aim is to later try aenemonies (sp?).
 
-Aqualight Deluxe Series 30" 2x65 Coralife LUNAR $173.00
-(2) HelloLights 55/65W 50/50 10K/Act03 Straight Pin $11.50ea
Fine for FO or FOWLR or soft corals. Completely inadequate for anemones that you want eventually.

-Coralife Super Skimmer - Needle Wheel SS-33000 $99.90
Bigass, but fine

-Deep Six Hydrometer $7.49
Refractometer better in long term if you get really serious

-40lbs Arag-Alive Fiji Pink $53.98
Bit overpriced but it's nice packaged sand

-Stainless Steel Heater (150W) $18.49
Hope it is not a Won Bros. They tend to be unreliable (personal experience)

-Aqua Gloves Pair $15.99
Good for handling of live rock and spiny creatures, but you lose a lot of tactile control. Try arm-length vet gloves for everyday tank work.

-(2) Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump Model 600 (160 gph) $25.98
Fine for FO or FOWLR, but on the weak side for LPS/SPS reef or anemones

-Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump Pre-filter Sponge (2 pk) $15.98 (oops, didn't realize these were 2pks :rant: )
Could become nitrate factories if you don't change on regular basis. Fine again for FO and FOWLR but deadly for anemones/reefs.

-(2) Rotating Deflector FLO $19.98 (wanted to try these out...just for kicks)
Never heard of this

-Aquarium Systems Synthetic Sea Salts Instant Ocean 160 gallon mix $37.99 (premix is not an option)
My favourite KoolAid mix

-Whisper Filter 30 $16.79 (wanted something for mechanical filtration WITHOUT carbon - never liked aquaclears)
-Whisper Bio-Bags (12 pk) $8.29 (again, doesn't HAVE to have carbon)
Fine, but unnecessary with the proper amount of LR and a skimmer.


1. Just how much will Arag-alive help me, if at all?
It's nice sand. That's about it from my experience.

2. Too much flow from the 2 powerheads?
If anything, that's not enough.

3. I just realized that I forgot to order a "wavemaker" power strip for the power heads as I intended...is there any point to this?
Not necessary unless reef. Even then simply pointing 2 powerheads at each other creates proper random flow. Plus wavemakers are hard on powerhead motors.

4. Can Sparkletts water be used for fills/water changes? Driving with 5 gal jugs could be problematic...
Get you own RO/DI for the long term.

If anyone would be so kind as to post a timeline for what to do following setting SG and stabilizing temps...

Not much different than any other cycle: add ammonia source, watch for ammonia to spike followed by nitrite spike. When all is clear add life. Time depends on amount of bacteria already present (eg. LR) and ammonia source (e.g. live fish vs. dead shrimp).
 
I agree with Crown Royal - don't waste money on the Deep Six hydrometer, purchase a refractometer instead. You can often find them from online etailers or eBay for around $50, worth every penny IMHO.
 
The lighting is 220 watts with that much lighting I don't think iteven mattters what type it is (sure halide is good but it'll probably cost about $600 to top that) your lights are good enough. My friends 125g has 240 watts of NO floresents and it has 4 anemones he could be buying new ones but I don't think he would because they aren't exactly cheap and the only anemone death I have heard about wsas eaten by a yellow tang and both died shortly after. However he has only had his tank set up for 8-10 months so they could be dieing slowly but they looked healthy last time I saw the tank If your are going by the WPG rule then you have 7.3 WPG That tank is going to be bright!
 
2x65=130 :p:

Got the lights, skimmer and hygrometer from Hellolights today. That was fast. I swapped out the stock bulbs for the 50/50 bulbs. The fixture is a nice piece. The fans are reasonably quiet. Three plugs are a bit much, but I guess it's good for people who like to dress up and play mother nature ;)

-If the sponge prefilters are problematic for powerheads...what do you do to keep things from getting sucked up in there (sluuuuuuuuurp)?
-At this lighting level, what choices do I have for soft corals? I read mushroom coral will work. Anything else?
-Are anemones 100% out of the question? Keep in mind that I like to try non-tradtional things with tanks.
 
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-If the sponge prefilters are problematic for powerheads...what do you do to keep things from getting sucked up in there (sluuuuuuuuurp)?

Just use either of the plastic strainers that come with the Maxijet. Here's an example with some modifications for when you get a little more advanced (just scroll down a bit):

http://www.melevsreef.com/archives/2005_10_01_archive.html

-At this lighting level, what choices do I have for soft corals? I read mushroom coral will work. Anything else?

Soft corals will be fine. Even LPS such as open brain, bubble, hammer and frogspawn should be do-able especially closer to the top of the tank.

-Are anemones 100% out of the question? Keep in mind that I like to try non-tradtional things with tanks.[/QUOTE]

My philosophy with anemones ever since I killed a bubble-tip when I first started out is to play it safe and not to try unless you have great experience, great tank conditions and great lighting.
 
Update: installed everything, filled, mixed, measured, etc. I upgraded the powerheads to maxi-jet 900s. The only problem I'm having is with the skimmer. It's somewhat loud and the bubble diffuser doesn't completely diffuse the bubbles. I want to run it overnight and during the day when I'm not there. Anything wrong with that?

Lastly, there's room for one more 65W cf light if I make one really thin. That would put me at 190W on 30 gals. About 6.3WPG. Where would that amount of lighting get me?


http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=488317#post488317

BTW, the rotating powerhead deflectors seem to work just fine. The divert the outlet 45 degrees, then rotate so you get a cone of flow. One side rotates the opposite way from the other, and one side rotates faster than the other...so it leads to some good random flow. We'll see if they become stuck over time. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...ll&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1
 
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My friends 125g has 240 watts of NO floresents and it has 4 anemones he could be buying new ones but I don't think he would because they aren't exactly cheap and the only anemone death I have heard about wsas eaten by a yellow tang and both died shortly after.
Click to expand...

Do you have any idea what anemones these were? This is not even close to a tollerant amount of light for most anything harboring zooxanthellae. that is less than 2 watts per gallon, not only that "a yellow tang ate my anenome"?!?!? Are you serious??

Please, unless you have specific insights and are currently running such a tank with experience in such matters, do not suggest someone go out and buy an animal that can live for 1000s of years on a "Cousins friends relatives brother has kept" declaration. This aggivates me when people speak without proper knowldge on such creatures, creatures that will surely die if not taken care of properly and also take years to reproduce.

Sir, do you happen to know the mortality rate for anemones? RESEARCH THAT QUESTION!! I LOVE REEF ANIMALS, so please don't suggest things that simply are not (1) the norm or (2) quite impossible.

I don't mean to sound rude, just intollerant of people suggesting someone else go out and kill a section of wild reef because they themselves were very ill informed on such actions.

PLEASE PLEASE RESEARCH any animals you wish to harbor and their requirements. I do not think, as consciencous aquarium keepers, we should do anything less than this.

And again, excuse me if I seem out of line, I just got home from a employers x-mas party and I am quite ... *happy* if you know what I mean. .
 
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