planbtypea
Reefing newb
New to the saltwater world but not to aquariums in general, have a 20g freshwater live plant tank that's been up for 2+ years now. I just got ahold of a 135g/40g mud sump, complete established setup. Posting this here to see how many mistakes I've made so far...:frustrat:
It's 4-5 years old but recently had an ammonia/algae outbreak due to an extended power outrage. Another friend took the remaining corals (on about 10 lbs live rock), handful of crabs, and the few fish. I ended up with a 2-3 inch sand bed, about 50 lbs live rock, 60+ of "old " tank water, handful of crabs and snails, sump, pumps, skimmer, power heads heater, and lights (3x T5HO and LED lunar).
So, got the tank home, just placed everything into the tank (made sure the sump had enough water to keep it covered) and went to bed. Next morning went and bought salt, prime, bacteria supplement... Made 2 50g barrels of salt mix, left the in the sun outside (live in SoCal and it was about 70 outside) with heaters, air pumps and power heads for about 6 hours. Checked the salinity was within limits, little bit higher than "old"tank water. Pumped it into tank started everything up. It was recommended to me NOT to run skimmer for a day our two so i left it off. Next morning is when i discovered the crabs and snails in the tank. Letting it run as-is through the weekend with light on 10 hours a day, lunar LED for 3 hours after lights out and 1 hour before lights on. Will test water on Monday, I'm a paramedic and on duty till then.
I know i need more rock, probably will go with dry. And advise/criticism welcomed.
It's 4-5 years old but recently had an ammonia/algae outbreak due to an extended power outrage. Another friend took the remaining corals (on about 10 lbs live rock), handful of crabs, and the few fish. I ended up with a 2-3 inch sand bed, about 50 lbs live rock, 60+ of "old " tank water, handful of crabs and snails, sump, pumps, skimmer, power heads heater, and lights (3x T5HO and LED lunar).
So, got the tank home, just placed everything into the tank (made sure the sump had enough water to keep it covered) and went to bed. Next morning went and bought salt, prime, bacteria supplement... Made 2 50g barrels of salt mix, left the in the sun outside (live in SoCal and it was about 70 outside) with heaters, air pumps and power heads for about 6 hours. Checked the salinity was within limits, little bit higher than "old"tank water. Pumped it into tank started everything up. It was recommended to me NOT to run skimmer for a day our two so i left it off. Next morning is when i discovered the crabs and snails in the tank. Letting it run as-is through the weekend with light on 10 hours a day, lunar LED for 3 hours after lights out and 1 hour before lights on. Will test water on Monday, I'm a paramedic and on duty till then.
I know i need more rock, probably will go with dry. And advise/criticism welcomed.
