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Hi
I'm finally starting a saltwater tank after some years with freshwater tanks.
I've been reading for some months about saltwater and just wanted to ask a few questions before I start buying. I want it to be a FOWLR tank, I think

I have a 144 litres or 38gal(US) tank. This means, as I have read, that I should be using about 38 pounds, or 17 kilos of live rock.
Live rock is quite expensive around here, and they sell about 3 different kinds.
The cheapest, is just rock, without any kind of life, that's supposed to serve as a base for the rest of the rock.
Then, the second cheapest is called live rock, and comes with bacteria, but it won't come with any invertebrates.
And the third kind, is fully live rock with hitchhikers and all.
So, my question is, what kind of combination of these kinds of rocks would be ok? I understand it would probably be better to just use the most expensive kind, but I would really appreciate it if someone could help me find some mix of rocks that works well and isn't so expensive.

Well, I'll leave that as my first question
Thanks in advance

i've only ever kept a nano (40litres or so) SW tank with clownies before so i don't have a lot of experience with live rock or "invert's" although i had 1 small anemone for the pair o clown fish

but in answer to your question i probly wouln'd get the second type o live rock caues the the one with

hitchhikers and all

will have all the bacteria u need.

so i'd get the top quality good one and about the same amount o the crap one just to "buff" out to good stuff

you could use the second type o live rock to "buff" out the good stuff but it would probly be no better than using the cheapest one which is cheaper

Declan

Thanks for replying so quickly!

Using the worst and best kind makes sense. I understand that the "non live" rock can eventually become live rock in the tank.
Do you have any idea of the proportion I should get them in (ie. 50% of each, 70% best, 30% worst, etc)?

Thanks again

i'd go mabey 60% percent good stuff and 40% average stuff

Great, thanks!

Another thing, do you know if the tank needs any special preparations before introducing the live rock?
I mean, besides having the correct salinity, lightning and temperature, is there anything I'm missing?

Thanks again.

hmmmm i don't think so only what you just said and make sure the calcium level is high enough for the inverts (alot of which are crustations which need calcium) and corect pH

Last edited by victa_fish at 13-Jun-2005 20:26

Ok, I'll also keep that in mind.
Thanks so much for all your help. I'm sure I'll be needing more in the next few days, but I really appreciate all your help up to now.

Hey lucho Welcome to the dark side

Sorry I didn't see this post sooner.

base rock is good for larger tanks, because it makes the initial live rock budget much cheaper. Eventually, the base rock can become live again overtime, but in such a small tank IMO it's not really worth the wait.

The second type of live rock will do fine, although who doesn't love hitchhikers?! Well, most of the time at least. I'd say go with a combo of the 2nd and 3rd, just for money saving purposes.

Your live rock can go in the tank as soon as the salinity, temperature, and pH is good. You dont even NEED lights, I'm doing without them right now. The only consequence to this is the possible loss of hitchhikers needing a photoperiod.

Sounds like you've done a good deal of initial research. Browse some of the beginners threads and articles in general marine for a bit more info, and if you're interested in any books I've got a few suggestions.

Best of luck.


-Ferret


-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Thanks Ferret!

Thanks for your help. I'll try to get a combination including each type, since I'd really like some hitchikers.

Oh, I have another question. I've been reading about skimmers for some time, and they sound useful. But I'm not sure if they are really necessary for a tank of the size I'm setting up.

Oh, lol, and finally, preparing the water for the tank just involves mixing the water with the aquarium salt, or is there something I'm missing?

Thanks again

you dont need a skimmer as you can do water changes instead but people will tell you otherwise, but its up to you.

with the mixing i mix mine in a 5 gallon tub with a powerhead, you will need to use water,water conditioner and reef salt(marine salt) and let it mix for 24-72 hours.

HTH.

There is no such thing as a tank too small for a skimmer.

Protein skimmers are a necessity IMO. You can do without them, and still have a beatiful tank, but they are just so beneficial I never recommend going without 'em. You'll be amazed at what your skimmer can pull out of your water. See DRO's old thread in reefkeeping if you dont believe me.

My favorite skimmer is the AquaC line, because they have a nice design, are efficient, and very userfriendly. There's a lot to choose from, go to [link=http://www.marinedepot.com]http://www.marinedepot.com" style="COLOR: #3c4e82[/link] and browse around for some ideas. Water changes dont compete with skimmers on any levels.

As for mixing saltwater, it is pretty basic. I have a couple biggish (20-30 gallon range) rubbermaid tubs that I like to mix in. Typically, unless I'm in a rush, I'll dump in freshwater with an airstone, and let it dechlorinate. Extra heaters match the temperature up to the main system. Then I add the reef talk (in my case, Tropic Marin) and use a powerhead to mix it all up. I keep new water around all the time, mostly in the event of an emergency, and so that I can do water changes at my own convenience.

Many people say never mix in the main display, but I believe it's fine for your first initial batch, especially if you have a larger system.

Best of luck.


-Ferret



[hr width='40%'][font color="#000080"]
I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut
My weakness is that I care too much
And my scars remind me that the past is real
I tear my heart open just to feel
[/font]

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Sorry for the late reply. Had some computer issues ]:|

Thanks for the advice. I'm trying to write all of this down. I'll have to wait about 2 and a half more weeks until I can go and buy everything I need, so I'm using this time to organize everything.

I have a bit of a dumb question, but I thought I'd rather be sure.
I plan to use sand that's been in a freshwater tank for about a year and a half now, in my new SW tank. If I rinse the sand, will it be ok for use? Or should I get a whole new batch of sand?

Thanks again

There's no such thing as a stupid question.

And I dont think that is a dumb question at all.

The answer? It depends. It's fine to re-use sand, but it has to be the right kind.

Sand for a marine tank should be very light/white, and aragonite based, as opposed to silicate based. Aragonite will help buffer the pH, but beware b/c it dissolves at a readily fast rate.

You can use a type of playsand called Southdown, or any other that passes the vinegar test and fulfills the "requirements" for a marine substrate.

If it's aquarium sand you used in the first place, it *should* be okay.


-Ferret



[hr width='40%'][font color="#000080"]
I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut
My weakness is that I care too much
And my scars remind me that the past is real
I tear my heart open just to feel
[/font]

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

It is aquarium sand, so I hope it will be fine. I'll rinse it and if it looks ok, I'll use it in the new tank.

Thanks for all the help!