Newbie Starting here!

[Gujustud]

Originally posted by Gealcath
For fish only, a Biowheel is fine as long as you have a DSB and Live rock, or cured live rock.

How deep would you recommend, and what type of sand? I've read that crushed coral is bad to use?

Down the road if I was to add some coral (we're talking several several months down the road), what should I look at into upgrading the biowheel to?

Originally posted by Gealcath
hi, im a newbi to marine also but have kept freshwater for several years, why dont you get a gift certificate at big als as they ave a big boxing day sale every year you can save yourself 25 % more off your items, say hi to Olena for me(Bob), the cute blonde at the check out, good luck

Which Big Al's store are you talking about? The one in Richmond?

In general I found their pricing a little higher than some other places. Do they work on their pricing at all?

 

[Gujustud]

Originally posted by OrionGirl
What I meant about them dying is this: many people try cycling SW tanks with damsels. The high toxins experienced during cycling often kill the fish. Should any survive, damsels are very territorial and can be nasty tempered, so are not desirably for a small tank--they will kill other fish. So, they have to be removed and this usually entails tearing the tank apart.

Cycling the tank can take 6 weeks or more, but is a crucial step in having a successful tank.

This is good to note. Both of the LFS said that after about 1 week, that I could add one damsel, as they have a higher tolerance to the changes during cycling. One of the stores did mention that they would give me their own salt water to start, as to speed up the cycling. Is this a good idea?

 

[OrionGirl]

A deep sand bed of at least 3 inches is enough to promote the oxidation of nitrates. For corals, you'd need upgraded lighting. There are a few that will be okay under NO, like mushrooms and some polyps, sponges--but most corals need at least 3-4 watts per gallon, and more is better. The biowheels can be removed easily, or just not added in the first place. Live rock and sand are the best filtration you can use.

Damsels are often used for cycling, and they will make it through, but still have burned gills and prone to disease. Not the best option, especially since they are so aggressive. Fishless cycling with cocktail shrimp is much better.

On buying the saltwater...Guess it depends. If they are giving you fresh, made up water, that's fine, though often not the cheapest option. If they are giving you water from their tanks, I would avoid it like the plague. Several reasons--first, water can transport parasites and disease. Second, it will import wastes, but no bacteria. The beneficial bacteria needed for processing ammonia and nitrites are not fee floating in the water column--they attach themselves to objects, like rock, glas, pumps, etc. Either way, you will need test kits for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and a good hydrometer or refractometer.

 

[oscarlvr]

yes the one in richmond. they do give deals if asked, see dan in the fishroom, he always looked after me very well on all my fish purchases, for the dsb, you can get those bags og aroginte, 30lbs bags, and like i mentioned buy them boxing day, a better price, avoid any water from them, all thier tanks are conected and 1 sick fish every tank gets whatever. and you dont want to introduce any thing in a new tank

rob

 

[Gujustud]

Good note on the sand bed. Regarding corals, looking at all the tank pictures on the internet, I think I'd love to get a few corals.

"okay, slow down!".

No really, I'd love to get some, but I also know that the hood doesn't support good lighting for a majority of coral out there. Thanks for noting what would be good to start off. I wouldn't mind adding at least 1 to the mix.

The Biowheel. So you really recommend not adding it all all? What keeps the water recirculating? Should I look at something else instead?

Hmm I'd rather not put a damsel in, if its going to get aggressive for whatever reason, and or put stress on the fish. So you recommend just picking up two shrimp, and throwing them in? I can get them cheap right off the dock near my house, since I live in a fishing area fairly cheap. Any specific type?

Saltwater. I'll be staying away from getting theirs then. It didn't dawn on me that bad stuff might come along with their saltwater. Plus I'd probably learn a lot more, but starting it off myself.

 

[Gealcath]

The fishless cycle using shrimp involves cocktail shrimp, as it decays it produces ammonia, which then gets broken down into nitrites and finally nitrates. Basically you need dead or decaying organic matter to start the cycle. But the bacteria wont grow unless theres ammonia present.

 

[Gujustud]

Originally posted by oscarlvr
yes the one in richmond. they do give deals if asked, see dan in the fishroom, he always looked after me very well on all my fish purchases, for the dsb, you can get those bags og aroginte, 30lbs bags, and like i mentioned buy them boxing day, a better price, avoid any water from them, all thier tanks are conected and 1 sick fish every tank gets whatever. and you dont want to introduce any thing in a new tank

rob

Cool! I think I know about the "cute" blond you were talking about.

When I first went, I spoke with Chris, who seemed to know what he was talking about. He gave me a wealth of information. I may stop by agian, just to chat, and get more info.

 

[Cearbhaill]

The Biowheel. So you really recommend not adding it all all? What keeps the water recirculating? Should I look at something else instead?

Sumps, closed loop systems, powerheads...

Like I said- you've lots of reading in front of you before you start buying

 

[Gujustud]

So I went back to Big Al's and spoke with the same guy I spoke with a few days ago.

He remembered everything, which i'm glad. I told him that I've been reading a ton more, and spoke of a bunch of stuff that made it sound like I knew what I was talking about (which I really did!!).

He admitted to me knowing more than the average joe starting off, and I told him that I was thinking about buying parts individually, rather than getting the full eclipse kit they had there.

I spent some time looking around, and figured I would go with another option.

32g tank (36x12x20). Its not as high as the eclipse which is better, as the eclipse was a lot higher, and from what we talked about, the higher it is, the futher the light has to travel if I go coral.

I will probably get a glass roof, and for lighting, we talked about getting a 36" 2 bulbs. I think he said he has a system (grr, forgot the name) that will give me 5w/gal. He said that is ideally what I should be looking for at prime. I figured I'll go that route, rather than upgrading down the road. I think he said that the price of the 5/gal lighting system would be around $280. (all pricing i've mentioned is in cdn funds)

I'm looking at getting either a 150 or 200w heater. I've been looking at either EboJager or Marineland.

He mentioned it would be good to get a skimmer, however I haven't looked into that. As oscarlvr said and also the guy at the store, I'm going to wait till boxing day/week. He said I'd be able to save more then.

This is what i'm looking at doing with my tank, to give you more info:

1) starting with LR/LS and fish.
2) maybe 3-5 months down the road, add in some mushroom coral (I hear they are slightly hardy, and better to start with).
3) go from there...

 

[Gujustud]

Well its been a while since I last posted. I should mention this was the first forums that I jumped aboard to get info, and want to thank everyone for your info you provided!

Well I finally started up and here are some pictures, but as a warning, its nothing superb. I'll post a few just to give a story line, however all my other pics are located here.

Quick specs: 38g, 36x12x20, 36" 1x96W 50/50, 200w ebojager, 802 powerhead w/ filter. 12lbs figi LR, 30lbs sugarsand. started dec 27th, restarted jan 2nd.

day 1 - 12lbs of LR. 30lbs of sugar sand. filled up the tank with some water and salt. cloudy? yes.

day 2 : dec 28th - filled all the way up. still cloudy

jan 2 - couldn't take the cloudyness, wasn't getting any better. got a filter for the powerhead, removed all the water, and sand. gave the sand a rinse, and started again. (pic from jan 3rd) difference made from the filter, and rinsing the sand.

first diy - wanted to make something while I wait for my cycle. made a cover for my tank at work. more pics

jan 5 - tank as of today. got one little shrimp in there for the cycle (cocktail stuff).

And thats it for now. Again check out my gallery for more pics.