[Uvajed]

I'm so happy to finally have access to this site. I had browser issues and a couple other upgrades that needed to be installed. I've been reading this site for months now, and finally took the plunge!

I purchased a 75 gallon tank a week ago.

Here's what I have so far:
The glass tank (48 x 18 x 20)
The light that came with the tank
A stand
Marineland C-360 filter
Two 200 watt Stealth heaters
a digital thermometer
(I plan on buying the skimmer, better lighting, powerheads and refugium as I need them, not sure about a sump yet)

My water:
pH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
SG: 1.024

I have the water stabilized, now it's time to add rocks.

So, my question is, what rocks? I've looked at all the websites many here have recommended, even have them filed in my 'fish' folder in bookmarks. But, should I stick with one type of rock for now, say Fiji, and add different ones as I go along? If I go that route, should I only get about 50 pounds? Or should I do a combo right away? How do I know I'll like the outcome?

One more question, if I buy live sand now, will it keep until it's time to add it? Or is it advisable to wait?

I'm really excited to be here and have tons of patience. I've only been wanting to start a reef for 4 years, I can wait weeks or months for the end results.

Thanks, Uvajed

[aquasalt]

Hey Uvajed, welcome aboard! It's always nice to see such enthusiasm for a common interest!

First off congrats on the tank that will be a nice size to start off with. As far as the LR is concerned I would get a nice foundation of rock that you like. Personal taste varies so go with what you like and don't be concerned about mixing different types if you like that look. After you get about a # per gallon as a foundation, I would cherry-pick your pieces. Of course you might be able to cherry-pick from the getgo if there is good selection at your local LFSs.

I think most people here would advise you to do it right the first time, and to most of us that means getting your tank drilled for an overflow and sump. Personally, I wouldn't even go through the effort of setting up a saltwater tank without a sump...and if you are interested a refugium. Having said that, I will add that I am not an advocate of refugiums.

Look forward to seeing you progress and exchanging stories along the way!

[jimw369]

Glad to see you here Uvajed. If you want it would be nice to see some more in your profile about you.

About your tank...I think it would be best if you just stop where you are now and take some time and read the "Tank start up guides posted here at RB".

http://www.reefbuilders.com/forums/r...-up-guide.html

There are 3 parts to the article and pretty much give a person what they need to know to get started. The RB TRUSTED people are here to fill in the gaps that you might not understand. I think starting out listening to those RB TRUSTED people are your best bet as the rest of us are only going to confuse you with the countless ways to set up a tank.

Look forward to seeing you in the threads!!!

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by aquasalt

Hey Uvajed, welcome aboard! It's always nice to see such enthusiasm for a common interest!

First off congrats on the tank that will be a nice size to start off with. As far as the LR is concerned I would get a nice foundation of rock that you like. Personal taste varies so go with what you like and don't be concerned about mixing different types if you like that look. After you get about a # per gallon as a foundation, I would cherry-pick your pieces. Of course you might be able to cherry-pick from the getgo if there is good selection at your local LFSs.

I think most people here would advise you to do it right the first time, and to most of us that means getting your tank drilled for an overflow and sump. Personally, I wouldn't even go through the effort of setting up a saltwater tank without a sump...and if you are interested a refugium. Having said that, I will add that I am not an advocate of refugiums.

Look forward to seeing you progress and exchanging stories along the way!

Thanks for the welcome! I know about drilling, but, I'm not at that expert level yet. I'm going to start off with a FOWLR system. I'm willing to explore the next steps after I become familiar with getting started, then advance to the next level. I have a small tank with neons right now. This all started with my youngest daughter winning two goldfish in the ping pong game. She named them Dumb and Dumber. Well, of course, one died. I asked her, which one died, and she said, "duh, the dumber one". So, we had "Dumb" for 11 years. He eventually graduated to a 5 gallon hex kitchen counter-top thing. In the mean time, I got a 10 gallon FW tank, boring....... Yawn. So, I'm saving that tank for the quarantine tank, and sending the neons off to my Son-in-law. He has a 29 gal system. He's going to be SO JEALOUS when he sees what I have. The kids don't know what I've done yet, I'm trying to save it for a surprise.

I have 3 grown daughters, all married, with babies and toddlers. I'm a grandma, #5 on the way, so of course we're going to have to have "Nemos".

Thanks for your input, and help! Uvajed.

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by jimw369

Glad to see you here Uvajed. If you want it would be nice to see some more in your profile about you.

About your tank...I think it would be best if you just stop where you are now and take some time and read the "Tank start up guides posted here at RB".

http://www.reefbuilders.com/forums/r...-up-guide.html

There are 3 parts to the article and pretty much give a person what they need to know to get started. The RB TRUSTED people are here to fill in the gaps that you might not understand. I think starting out listening to those RB TRUSTED people are your best bet as the rest of us are only going to confuse you with the countless ways to set up a tank.

Look forward to seeing you in the threads!!!

I've added to my profile, and thanks for the link!

[aquasalt]

How do you pronounce your name?

[Uvajed]

Read it backwards

U va jed

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by aquasalt

I think most people here would advise you to do it right the first time, and to most of us that means getting your tank drilled for an overflow and sump. Personally, I wouldn't even go through the effort of setting up a saltwater tank without a sump...and if you are interested a refugium. Having said that, I will add that I am not an advocate of refugiums.

Look forward to seeing you progress and exchanging stories along the way!

Just a quick note, I have the space for a really awesome 220+ system, if this works out. I'm not jumping into this because some kid saw the movie. We have a tri-level home, and the spot I'm considering for future expansion is in the sunken family room level (slab foundation), a 12+ foot empty wall space, well, it could be empty (ahem, hubby, move your junk for my junk)....... And, I've seen 'fish rooms', now, how can I upgrade???? Dreaming.........

PS, how do I customize an avatar?

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by aquasalt

Of course you might be able to cherry-pick from the getgo if there is good selection at your local LFS.

I have nothing but praise for my LFS, those folks have been awesome, and are willing to find me better pricing on supplies. They were able to get me a good deal on Live Rock. They don't come right out and say, 'check the internet', but I catch their drift (they have a business to run). Their prices are initially higher, but, comparing their price to added shipping charges, they are about equal (even compared to the 'free shipping' sites). Plus their customer service is exceptional! A petco just moved into our area, and I've visited them. Yeah, I want a 16 year old giving me advice on my system. Plus, their prices are higher than my LFS. I highly doubt our LFS will be affected by petco. I was able to get live rock for about $4 a pound, no shipping charges, delivered to their store. I let the folks there know I appreciate their honestly.

[WillLovesFish]

Hi there and welcome to RB! $4 a pound for LR is a great deal I think. I pay $5.99 a pound at my LFS which I thought was a good price.

Personally I think you are doing the right thing going with FOWLR to start. This is the way I have started to get better acquainted with the hobby. Now that I am I have started saving for a nice big reef tank which takes tons of money and fancy equipment, time etc...

After you add your water and get the salinity right then add the rock on the bottom of the tank right on the glass. Do min. 1 pound per gallon, do it all at once so it can cure together at the same time. Otherwise if you buy more later you will have to cure it in a seperate tank. If you don't cure it in a sperate tank you will run the risk of your main tank having to recycle, which could in turn kill the fish etc... Next add the sand, I know it will collect all over your rock, use a powerhead to blow it off the rock and then arrange the sand how you like it. You add the sand last so that the rock has a stable base in the sand to sit and not tip over etc...

Now it's just time to let the tank cycle, takes weeks, sometimes a month or so. BE PATIENT!

Some important tips, get a good test kit, I use API and have no problems with it, but just as important get a Refractometer, this tells you your salinity level, very important and is SO accurate. Don't let your LFS tell you it's ok to use a hydrometer, they are so inaccurate, I learned the hard way.

Good luck and keep us updated.

[RyanG]

Originally Posted by Uvajed

Just a quick note, I have the space for a really awesome 220+ system, if this works out. I'm not jumping into this because some kid saw the movie. We have a tri-level home, and the spot I'm considering for future expansion is in the sunken family room level (slab foundation), a 12+ foot empty wall space, well, it could be empty (ahem, hubby, move your junk for my junk)....... And, I've seen 'fish rooms', now, how can I upgrade???? Dreaming.........

PS, how do I customize an avatar?

You can the option to having a custom avatar after you reach 100 posts

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by RyanG

You can the option to having a custom avatar after you reach 100 posts

Thanks for all your help! And congrats on your promotion, well, maybe......

Uvajed

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by WillLovesFish

Hi there and welcome to RB! $4 a pound for LR is a great deal I think. I pay $5.99 a pound at my LFS which I thought was a good price.

Personally I think you are doing the right thing going with FOWLR to start. This is the way I have started to get better acquainted with the hobby. Now that I am I have started saving for a nice big reef tank which takes tons of money and fancy equipment, time etc...

After you add your water and get the salinity right then add the rock on the bottom of the tank right on the glass. Do min. 1 pound per gallon, do it all at once so it can cure together at the same time. Otherwise if you buy more later you will have to cure it in a seperate tank. If you don't cure it in a sperate tank you will run the risk of your main tank having to recycle, which could in turn kill the fish etc... Next add the sand, I know it will collect all over your rock, use a powerhead to blow it off the rock and then arrange the sand how you like it. You add the sand last so that the rock has a stable base in the sand to sit and not tip over etc...

Now it's just time to let the tank cycle, takes weeks, sometimes a month or so. BE PATIENT!

Some important tips, get a good test kit, I use API and have no problems with it, but just as important get a Refractometer, this tells you your salinity level, very important and is SO accurate. Don't let your LFS tell you it's ok to use a hydrometer, they are so inaccurate, I learned the hard way.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Will, thanks for the tips, everything I've learned has been from this forum, and a book I bought a couple years ago. That guy was dead set against dead coral for aquariums. LOL, well, it was published in 1998...

Again, thanks for your tips, and I will be patient, it's taken me 4 years to get this far, a couple months is nothing.....

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by WillLovesFish

Hi there and welcome to RB! $4 a pound for LR is a great deal I think. I pay $5.99 a pound at my LFS which I thought was a good price.

Personally I think you are doing the right thing going with FOWLR to start. This is the way I have started to get better acquainted with the hobby. Now that I am I have started saving for a nice big reef tank which takes tons of money and fancy equipment, time etc...

After you add your water and get the salinity right then add the rock on the bottom of the tank right on the glass. Do min. 1 pound per gallon, do it all at once so it can cure together at the same time. Otherwise if you buy more later you will have to cure it in a seperate tank. If you don't cure it in a sperate tank you will run the risk of your main tank having to recycle, which could in turn kill the fish etc... Next add the sand, I know it will collect all over your rock, use a powerhead to blow it off the rock and then arrange the sand how you like it. You add the sand last so that the rock has a stable base in the sand to sit and not tip over etc...

Now it's just time to let the tank cycle, takes weeks, sometimes a month or so. BE PATIENT!

Some important tips, get a good test kit, I use API and have no problems with it, but just as important get a Refractometer, this tells you your salinity level, very important and is SO accurate. Don't let your LFS tell you it's ok to use a hydrometer, they are so inaccurate, I learned the hard way.

Good luck and keep us updated.

It's about 4.29 a pound. I wonder if it's because a petco just opened up across the street. Personally, I would only buy a sunken pirate ship from them, not a salt water system. Their prices are a lot higher than my LFS. I got my filter for 149, after pricing around the area, and on the internet. This seems to be a good price. I also looked into used stuff, but, honestly, I want to create my own thing. Also, I have to consider customer service as a factor, and these folks are the real deal. They aren't kids, actually, they're older, most have salt tanks of some sort, and, granted, they can't tell me where a better deal is, but they have steered me in other directions. My tank and stand was 349, with the cheapo light. And I like the idea of supporting a reputable store. So far, I'm happy with their help, and it really helps to get some ideas here. Granted, I'm not at the geek level as some on this forum, but, I have read most of the sixty pages of the "im new here" threads. Actually, the store was impressed with what I knew, they said the majority of new salt water buyers wanted a "Nemo" system. LOL!

[Uvajed]

One thing I want to tell you all, is my hubby is getting real interested in this. He's another engineering geek like me, but, he's thinking, chemistry, electronics, mechanics, hey, this is more interesting than goldfish, I'll let you all know his progress as well!

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by WillLovesFish

Hi there and welcome to RB! $4 a pound for LR is a great deal I think. I pay $5.99 a pound at my LFS which I thought was a good price.

Personally I think you are doing the right thing going with FOWLR to start. This is the way I have started to get better acquainted with the hobby. Now that I am I have started saving for a nice big reef tank which takes tons of money and fancy equipment, time etc...

After you add your water and get the salinity right then add the rock on the bottom of the tank right on the glass. Do min. 1 pound per gallon, do it all at once so it can cure together at the same time. Otherwise if you buy more later you will have to cure it in a seperate tank. If you don't cure it in a sperate tank you will run the risk of your main tank having to recycle, which could in turn kill the fish etc... Next add the sand, I know it will collect all over your rock, use a powerhead to blow it off the rock and then arrange the sand how you like it. You add the sand last so that the rock has a stable base in the sand to sit and not tip over etc...

Now it's just time to let the tank cycle, takes weeks, sometimes a month or so. BE PATIENT!

Some important tips, get a good test kit, I use API and have no problems with it, but just as important get a Refractometer, this tells you your salinity level, very important and is SO accurate. Don't let your LFS tell you it's ok to use a hydrometer, they are so inaccurate, I learned the hard way.

Good luck and keep us updated.

My test kit is an API Saltwater Master Test Kit, there's another one for corals and reefs, they recommended I start with this and as I advance, go to the next kit. Plus, they offer free testing. I wanted to test my own water, and if I had issues, my kit is the same as there's, so we're on the same page. These people are on the ball, so far. Trust me, being in engineering, testing is key to starting anything.

I don't have a problem with waiting a couple more weeks if I don't have enough rocks. I'm in this for the long haul, so, if I don't get enough rocks to be 'pretty', I'll get more, but, I'm going to get the rocks down before I add sand, then the fish. I know I'm probably going to be the most slowest newbie, but, I'd rather do it right, than to rush through and have a system failure.

I don't want to lose a $30 fish. Plus, these are going to be family members, not just something I add to a tank.

[DEWAYNE]

well, this hoobby can and will take you on a roller coaster ride, if it were easy, there would be alot more people in it....... good luck to you, and welcome to the best web site ever.

[WillLovesFish]

Sounds like you have a good LFS, take advantage of that. Stay away from Petco for sure

Kudos to you for doing so much research before you start, keep us updated, post some pics too!!!

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by DEWAYNE

well, this hoobby can and will take you on a roller coaster ride, if it were easy, there would be alot more people in it....... good luck to you, and welcome to the best web site ever.

Thanks! I'm really glad I found this place!

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by WillLovesFish

Sounds like you have a good LFS, take advantage of that. Stay away from Petco for sure

Kudos to you for doing so much research before you start, keep us updated, post some pics too!!!

I have been researching this a LOT. Maybe too much. LOL! I just added my rocks today, let's see how that goes! OH, and hubby was right there, 'designing' the aquascape. I know that will probably change several times.....

I'll be sure to post pics. I don't think you all are interested in a bunch of LR's, I'll wait until something happens.

[WillLovesFish]

Of course we are interested in pics of LR! We all like to see and show off our designs of the rock scape

[DEWAYNE]

anyone gonna be in Houston, I suck when it comes to scaping my LR...........I need all the help I can get......LOL

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by WillLovesFish

Of course we are interested in pics of LR! We all like to see and show off our designs of the rock scape

I just ordered 45 pounds of more LR. That will be about 90 pounds in my tank. I also bought two koralia 3 powerheads, 850. I'll get the rocks in, the powerheads set up, then take a couple pictures.

[WillLovesFish]

Nice, sounds like it's coming along. Those are the best powerheads in my opinion