Howdy

[Buzzbomb]

Kirk from Atlanta, GA here. First, let me say that in searching these forums it seems like a very valuable resource for both the beginner and experienced marine enthusiast, for that thank you to the admins, moderators, and users on this board.

Before I start asking questions that I've been unable to find the answers to with some searches, I want to make sure I'm at the right place. Is this forum dedicated to those with reef aquariums only? I am just starting, and my thinking is that I should start with live rock before I go with a reef setup. In short, do I belong here, or perhaps I should be on different forums that are less advanced?

Thanks!
Kirk


*edit*
Let me give my basic setup for the marine aquarium:

75 Gallon non-drilled tank. Two large powerheads, about 20 - 25 lbs of live rock (doesn't look like much in the aquarium at all) with about a 5 gallon bucket and a half of live sand. The rock and sand have sat almost dry for about a month after being used before, so the rock and sand may no longer be "live". I have a sump setup with about 8 lbs of live (maybe dead) rock in it, a protein skimmer, and when the water is filled to the "water level" line in the sump, I guess it's about 3 or 4 gallons of water in there. I also have a 9 watt UV sterilizer. I replaced all the tubing with black vinyl, and set everything up about a week ago. Tested the water, apparently it is still cycling as the nitrites are kind of high.

My main two questions to start were:

How much live rock would be advisable for this setup? What I have in there does not seem like much at all, not even enough to go across the tank (4 feet) sitting side-by-side.

I've noticed I have considerable evaporation. Should I be replacing the water with regular (non salted) RO water, or should there be salt in it? I know salt doesn't really evaporate - but I'm not really sure how to read the little salinity/specific gravity thingy to know what I should do.

Thanks, guys.

[dustin_P74]

let me be the first to welcome you here. its great to see another Georgian here at the reef. a basic rule is one to two pounds of live rock per gallon of water. and the evaporation is just freshwater so it should be replaced with RO freshwater.

[reeffreak]

Welcome to Living Reefs.You've found the right place-this is all saltwater aquarium related site.Fishfan is right,1-2lbs of live rock and top off with RO water.Not all of it has to be live rock either.It can be mostly dry base and seeded with several pounds of live.Eventually the live rock will seed the dead rock.

[Buzzbomb]

You guys are great! I'm going to go ahead and get some new live rock - I'm guessing I should fill my sump with the new live rock, and put the old in the aquarium as "base"?

I'll start checking around here for recomendations of good "first fish" to do, but if anyone has any pointers about that, I'm all ears. Me likey the bright colors, and really interesting fish, but I'm also thinking I need to get fish that are very forgiving of total noob owners.

Thanks again.

[reeffreak]

I would let your tank cycle first before adding any fish including inverts as well.If you don't have enough uncured live rock to start the cycle than either drop a table shrimp in the tank or ''ghost feed'' fish food several times.The decaying food will start the cycle process.Once ammonia and nitrites are at zero do a water change than look at maybe clownfish,dartfish,blenny etc.

How 'com you putting the live rock in the sump and not the display?

[RyanG]

Welcome to the Reef Buzz, Fishfan and Reef have your questions covered for now so welcome and have fun. This is a great forum with ultra-nice, knowledgable fast answering people, enjoy!

[Buzzbomb]

Originally Posted by reeffreak

How 'com you putting the live rock in the sump and not the display?

I'm actually putting it in both. I bought the whole setup off of craigslist, and the guy suggested I do that. Is it a bad idea?

I'm planning on getting about another 50 lbs of live rock (ouch) tonight on the way home from work. If there's anything I need to do other than put it in the tank, the advice would be appreciated.

Ammonia spiked, nitrites spiked also, and have been dropping - but are not down to zero yet. I'll wait for that, then check back here just to make sure before I pick up fish. I'm probably getting repetitive with the "thank you" thing, but it's really appreciated, guys.

Kirk

[daugherty]

hi and welcome. were's the pics.

[yote]

Welcome to the reef.
Sounds like you have sump/refugium system.Thats a plus.The live rock in the the sump will help keep your pods growing and that equates to a natural food source for fish and corals.
Good luck with it,and dont be shy with the questions.
All we ask in return for answers are pictures.

[Marke86]

Be patient too! we all know it sucks looking at an empty tank and having to wait for the tank to cycle but an empty tank looks better than dead fishes.
SO WELCOME TO THE REEF!!
Mark