90 Gallon First SW Tank

[Amphiprion]

I would avoid that skimmer you mentioned. Look at a Reef Octopus for something inexpensive yet still works well. The Coralife is inexpensive but doesn't work well.

BTW, I spent 7 years making saturday my "go to the store for 20G of RO water". I was stubborn and didn't want to buy an RO/DI unit for some reason.. after getting one I have no idea why I waited so long but it took having problems with the store water (old filters/high silicates causing major problems) that made me finally buy my own unit. Worth every penny.

My experiences exactly. ^^^ You can't count on the vast majority of LFSs to keep track of their water quality. I know of several instances of stores that, while they do indeed keep track of quality, they ignore it when it rises and lie about it. I doubt many would go that far, but without working there, you'd never know. It is worth the peace of mind to get your own unit that you have complete control over.

 

[Drewhop]

Strange question. I will be picking up my live rock and live sand tonight. This may sound pretty newbish but how do I add the sand to the tank after I setup the live rock.

Is there a secret or trick to do this or do I just dump and pray.....

I was thinking after I soak/clean to dump it in a cup full at a time so that it does not move around to much.

Is the Instant Ocean Reef Master testing kit a good kit. I plan on purchasing the ammonia /trite and trate tests seperately. Or just buy the test IO test kit for those as well.
Thanks for help

 

[greech]

I think your tank is full of water correct? If so there are a couple of ways to add sand and get the best placement/distribution of your sand and somewhat minimize the sand storm. You can put a good amount of sand in a large ziploc bag and just cut off one of the bottom corners to pour the sand along the bottom and around your LR. Another way is to use a piece of PVC pipe with a funnel on the end of it and pour the sand through the funnel as you move the pipe along the bottom. This method really needs an extra set of hands.

Never used the IO kits. I use the API Reef kit and it has worked well for me when it comes to measuring Ammonia and Nitrates. I had my LFS compare my API results against their Elos kit and a Salifert kit. While Ammonia and Nitrate were spot on I saw a good bit of difference in Ca and dkH. You will pay for the Elos kits but the Salifert isn't too bad I think.

 

[Drewhop]

I think your tank is full of water correct? If so there are a couple of ways to add sand and get the best placement/distribution of your sand and somewhat minimize the sand storm. You can put a good amount of sand in a large ziploc bag and just cut off one of the bottom corners to pour the sand along the bottom and around your LR. Another way is to use a piece of PVC pipe with a funnel on the end of it and pour the sand through the funnel as you move the pipe along the bottom. This method really needs an extra set of hands.

Never used the IO kits. I use the API Reef kit and it has worked well for me when it comes to measuring Ammonia and Nitrates. I had my LFS compare my API results against their Elos kit and a Salifert kit. While Ammonia and Nitrate were spot on I saw a good bit of difference in Ca and dkH. You will pay for the Elos kits but the Salifert isn't too bad I think.

Yep Tank is full. I use a API kit for my Freshwater and I love it. I should be able to find one of those local. The pvc idea is brilliant I think I will buy some piping on the way home.