Very new guy with new tank!

Hmmm, it is really hard to find good quality MH/T5 combo fixtures for any reasonable amount of $. They are usually outrages on price.

What I just did on my neighbors tank. He has a 75G. Picked up a Coralife Aqualight Pro (2x150MH + 2x96w PC) used for $175. I then ripped out the PC lights/ballast and replaced them with Icecap ballasts and put in some T5s in place of the PCs. Total cost by getting used stuff from fellow reef club members ended up costing around $450 total with all new bulbs. The light alone new, with Power Compacts goes for about $850 on Marinedepot. We saved $400 and made a huge upgrade to it at the same time.

So, what I am getting at, check local ads, look for a local reef club, something like that to try and get a good quality light for cheap. If you can't do that I really suggest trying to make a DIY canopy since you have wood working skills. The electronic part is pretty simple to wire up ballast/lights in a canopy. You will save a ton of $ by going that route.
 
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WoodRight said:
Wow that is allot more ten I thought I would get over this question. I didn't know about this salt thing and really didn't think to much about it but I'm glad you have brought it up. So waht kind of salt mix should we get?
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I think you'll be fine with any of the major brands on the market. But every new container of salt should be tested before you use it in your tank. Mistakes can happen as they did with Instant Ocean in the past..and other brands. You don't have to test every time you use it, just the first batch out of a container.

I personally use a mix of IO and Oceanic to both save a bit on cost and to temper how high the Mg and Ca content is of Oceanic.
 
I guess I should run it now with just the pump running and see how much it heats up.
 
We just got some calcium sup for my GF tank and was wondering if it's any good. It's ESZ B-ionic Calcium Buffer System #2 Ca Concenttrate.
 
I agree with Ace. It is what i use and it works great.
 
What is the 2nd part of the 2 part mix. The LFS said all I had to do was fill it up to the line on the side of the bottle with RO water shake it and then put just a little in...half of a vile he gave me...he said to do it once a day and that in a week or two the level should be up to where it needs to be.
 
Is this what you have?

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B-Ionic Calcium Buffer is the original, unique, easy to use, two-component liquid supplement system. When using equal volumes of each component, the aquarist can easily maintain calcium and alkalinity levels with no mixing powders, disruption of ionic balance, or addition of organic chemicals. B-Ionic Calcium Buffer System does not contain phosphates or nitrates. In addition to supplying highly concentrated calcium and carbonate alkalinity required for calcification, B-Ionic Calcium Buffer System also provides all other important major, minor, and trace elements in the proper ratios to duplicate the composition of natural seawater. As a result, B-Ionic Calcium Buffer System will help restore inorganic ions lost from protein skimming and help maintain the ionic balance of the aquarium water. Starting daily dosage is 1 ml per 4 gallons of aquarium capacity.

Here is a link to it on marinedepot.
 
It's at my parents house with the tank, I called earlier and had my mom read me off the label. So I'm not sure how accurate her translation is, I'll get the specifics tomorrow, I still need to get a new test kit before I add anything...I do know that it came in a singular bottle, about the size of a handle of Captain without the neck (that probably doesn't help, but thats about how big it is...lol) He was the one that recommended it to me so hopefully there isn't a second part that I need but I will call him tomorrow to double check.
 
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