Picasso
Seahorse Whisperer
Hi, I'm just getting my first tank together. I made a blog to mark my progress. www.catherinethereefkeeper.blogspot.com Looking forward to learning more about this hobby!
Newbie
- Thread starter Picasso
- Start date
dustin_P74
Reef enthusiast
welcome to the reef. a few things, 1) you need to get drip test kits, they are way more accurate. 2) dont do any water changes while your still cycling itll just prolong the process. 3) get a thermometer that is in the water 24/7 because temperature swings of more then one degree a day can be fatal to fish and inverts
yote
In Memoriam
Welcome to the reef.You'll learn a lot from the folks here,and were newbie friendly.So as any questions you have,somebody will have the answer.
Picasso
Seahorse Whisperer
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I have no idea what I'm doing so any input is very helpful. This forum is very cool.
d2mini
Reef enthusiast
Hey, your first bristle worm. Kewl. :)
daugherty
part time reefer
welcome this site has the best people around on here.
Bifferwine
I am a girl
Hi and welcome! I look forward to seeing your tank's progress.
RyanG
Reef enthusiast
Welcome to the site, sorry it took so long for me to do this.
Stupidsreef
Reefing newb
Welcome. I'm not sure what all you have but I have a few suggestions I think might help you in your journey to a successful mini Reef. As I see your pretty proud of your little Bristle worm :).
A refractometer would be a very good investment. You can find them for around $50 on line. Be sure to look for one that say's it's an ATC. Automatic Temperture Control, this will allow you to make your Saltwater closer to the correct SG. Most keep there SG @ 1.023. You can use RO/DI water to calibrate it. Hydro's are plastic and have plastic moving parts, which overtime become caked with salt creep and give off false readings. Refractometer's are simple to use and in seconds you know right where your SG is at.
Buying a second heater or having a back up is almost a need. No heater is perfect & if one goes out it's best to have a back up on hand.
As far as test kit's go, ALL test kit's have a shelf life. Keep an eye out for that, it should be printed on the box somewhere. If you can't find that, Don't buy it. A trusted true and tried kit can be a life saver. I use Salifert or Elos test kits only. But that's the one's I've had the best luck with. They cost a little more, and there shelf life is stickered right on the box.
And my last peice of advise is, If you can keep the temp within 77-80*, the SG between 1.023 and 1.026, the ph close to 8.0, The calcium above 400 and the Alk somewhere inbetween 7.0 to 11.0 and Nitrites, Nitrates, Ammo @ zero, everything else should fall into line. It sounds like a lot to do, it's not really.
Oh and always use at least RO water if you can't use RO/DI water.
Best of luck and, remember their is no stupid question we were all there once :).
A refractometer would be a very good investment. You can find them for around $50 on line. Be sure to look for one that say's it's an ATC. Automatic Temperture Control, this will allow you to make your Saltwater closer to the correct SG. Most keep there SG @ 1.023. You can use RO/DI water to calibrate it. Hydro's are plastic and have plastic moving parts, which overtime become caked with salt creep and give off false readings. Refractometer's are simple to use and in seconds you know right where your SG is at.
Buying a second heater or having a back up is almost a need. No heater is perfect & if one goes out it's best to have a back up on hand.
As far as test kit's go, ALL test kit's have a shelf life. Keep an eye out for that, it should be printed on the box somewhere. If you can't find that, Don't buy it. A trusted true and tried kit can be a life saver. I use Salifert or Elos test kits only. But that's the one's I've had the best luck with. They cost a little more, and there shelf life is stickered right on the box.
And my last peice of advise is, If you can keep the temp within 77-80*, the SG between 1.023 and 1.026, the ph close to 8.0, The calcium above 400 and the Alk somewhere inbetween 7.0 to 11.0 and Nitrites, Nitrates, Ammo @ zero, everything else should fall into line. It sounds like a lot to do, it's not really.
Oh and always use at least RO water if you can't use RO/DI water.
Best of luck and, remember their is no stupid question we were all there once :).
Altohombre
The Tennis Pro Reefer
welcome to the site Picasso!
