InsideEdge33
Reefing newb
Ok here it goes...From the beginning
There are only 2 saltwater stores in my area for around 30-40 miles so I hope you guys can help me out here.
I've been researching, reading books, checking things online, visiting local saltwater stores and I'm still a little confused. Everyone has something different to say. First off, I have decided for the time being I am gonna change out my 37 gallon freshwater tank into a saltwater setup. (I originally was gonna do a 75 gallon setup which I still plan on doing but living situation at the moment isn't right for a 75G.) But I do plan on it so some of my questions regard fish and certain ones that would grow slow that I could house in a 37 gallon tank right now for a while (maybe 6-12 months) then I would convert them to a 75 gallon.
First...water. What is the best water to fill the tank? I have heard R/O, tap is ok, distilled? (I am on a water well where I live with very hard water so I think tap is out for me.) One store near me wants to charge 39 cents a gallon for water and I thought there has to be a way I can do it for free or at least cheaper? Any help?
So I have a few things but wondering if I need more. The filters I plan on using are a Fluval FX5 canister filter that I got for a great deal (and also plan on using in the 75 gallon when I set it up) and my regular hang on the back filter that I'm using in my freshwater tank currently. For the Fluval FX5 I plan on using 2 parts bio media and not sure on 3rd media. Any suggestions? Is that sufficient or no?
I will be using live rock but how many lbs. should I use? Also what's a reasonable $ per pound, and should I get a mixture of different types?
I wanna use live sand with crushed coral as my bottom. I have heard that I don't need to use live sand because once I put in the live rock the sand will become live also. Is that true? And how would I mix the sand and coral...half the tank sand and the other coral, mixed 50-50 or ?? And I'd like to use a mix of black and tan sand. Any suggestions or thoughts?
I know I need a heater. I plan on purchasing one new..How many watts should I get for a 37 gallon?
Is a protein skimmer necessary or no? I have a used one and can't get it clean so just wondering if I have to purchase a new one and what's a good price for one.
I guess that is it for now...until I get those questions answered and get set up. I have an idea of some fish I want but that was with the 75 gallon tank in mind. So I need to narrow that down a bit for now and also wonder if anyone knows of any fish that I could get that will grow slow in the beginning but get to 7-8 inches or larger later on. And I am thinking of going with an semi, mod. and aggressive tank. The main fish I want to build my tank around is a Harlequin Tuskfish and I've heard they grow slow. If I get a young one could I house him in the 37 gallon tank for maybe up to a year at the longest?
I look forward to hearing from everyone here!
Ryan
There are only 2 saltwater stores in my area for around 30-40 miles so I hope you guys can help me out here.
I've been researching, reading books, checking things online, visiting local saltwater stores and I'm still a little confused. Everyone has something different to say. First off, I have decided for the time being I am gonna change out my 37 gallon freshwater tank into a saltwater setup. (I originally was gonna do a 75 gallon setup which I still plan on doing but living situation at the moment isn't right for a 75G.) But I do plan on it so some of my questions regard fish and certain ones that would grow slow that I could house in a 37 gallon tank right now for a while (maybe 6-12 months) then I would convert them to a 75 gallon.
First...water. What is the best water to fill the tank? I have heard R/O, tap is ok, distilled? (I am on a water well where I live with very hard water so I think tap is out for me.) One store near me wants to charge 39 cents a gallon for water and I thought there has to be a way I can do it for free or at least cheaper? Any help?
So I have a few things but wondering if I need more. The filters I plan on using are a Fluval FX5 canister filter that I got for a great deal (and also plan on using in the 75 gallon when I set it up) and my regular hang on the back filter that I'm using in my freshwater tank currently. For the Fluval FX5 I plan on using 2 parts bio media and not sure on 3rd media. Any suggestions? Is that sufficient or no?
I will be using live rock but how many lbs. should I use? Also what's a reasonable $ per pound, and should I get a mixture of different types?
I wanna use live sand with crushed coral as my bottom. I have heard that I don't need to use live sand because once I put in the live rock the sand will become live also. Is that true? And how would I mix the sand and coral...half the tank sand and the other coral, mixed 50-50 or ?? And I'd like to use a mix of black and tan sand. Any suggestions or thoughts?
I know I need a heater. I plan on purchasing one new..How many watts should I get for a 37 gallon?
Is a protein skimmer necessary or no? I have a used one and can't get it clean so just wondering if I have to purchase a new one and what's a good price for one.
I guess that is it for now...until I get those questions answered and get set up. I have an idea of some fish I want but that was with the 75 gallon tank in mind. So I need to narrow that down a bit for now and also wonder if anyone knows of any fish that I could get that will grow slow in the beginning but get to 7-8 inches or larger later on. And I am thinking of going with an semi, mod. and aggressive tank. The main fish I want to build my tank around is a Harlequin Tuskfish and I've heard they grow slow. If I get a young one could I house him in the 37 gallon tank for maybe up to a year at the longest?
I look forward to hearing from everyone here!
Ryan