[jpmwjm]

I have a newly set up 75 gallon saltwater tank. Started it three days ago. Right now I just have the saltwater and a two and a half inch sand bed. I bought 20 lbs of LR today and will be picking it up at my LFS this evening. I hope to set up a reef tank with a few reef friendly fish and inverts. I purchased a Seaclone 150 Skimmer, a Emperor 400 HOB filter and a 125 GPH powerhead with a built on prefilter. Last night I ordered a power compact light with 4x65w bulbs and lunar lighting. In addition I have my standard aquarium 48" light. My questions are: Is this lighting adaquate for good soft coral growth? Is the filtration adaquate or should I get more powerheads? Is a 2 and a half inch sand bed deep enough to provide a good biofilter? I have also heard of people using LR pieces in their HOB filter to improve filtering? Does this really help any? I know its a lot of questions but, I want to correct any problems before I get to far in. Thanks for any help.

[jvharding]

You may want to replace standard bulbs with a mixture of sun and actinic bulbs just to be in proper spectrum along with your power compacts Just my thoughts you should have adequate lighting to keep softies! If the emperor filter uses bio balls you may want to establish your tank with the bio balls and slowly remove them when the nitrogen cycle is finished replace with live rock. I prefer Metal Halide light with T12 lighting, its a matter of cost and how you like your tank to appear. It also gives all options with your reef. Good luck and welcome to RB!

[jpmwjm]

Thanks for the tips. I got 28 lbs. of Live Rock for my tank today. I'll be sure to change out my standard bulb for an actinic bulb. The filter has two bio wheels, but no bioballs. The rock I bought have been curing for 9 days at my LFS. They had a good variety of rock. I found a couple pieces with some sponge that appear to be living. I would prefer the Metal Halide lighting myself also, but right now I just cant get it. Hope to upgrade later. But should the power compacts do the job, allowing me to introduce soft corals when the tank is ready? Again I apprieciate the help.

[RyanG]

Originally Posted by jpmwjm

Thanks for the tips. I got 28 lbs. of Live Rock for my tank today. I'll be sure to change out my standard bulb for an actinic bulb. The filter has two bio wheels, but no bioballs. The rock I bought have been curing for 9 days at my LFS. They had a good variety of rock. I found a couple pieces with some sponge that appear to be living. I would prefer the Metal Halide lighting myself also, but right now I just cant get it. Hope to upgrade later. But should the power compacts do the job, allowing me to introduce soft corals when the tank is ready? Again I apprieciate the help.

Power compacts should be fine for softies. There are a lot of softie tanks that look beautiful. Post pictures of you setting it up for us!

[glampka]

Amount of rock is on the low side - you shoud have at least 1lb/gal. Rock should go in first & then put in sand to keep burrowing fish from toppling the rock. I'd run at least 2 good size powerheads (135 gph too small) - you want adequate circulation so there are no dead spots in the tank. You shouldn't have problems with the pc lights - get the 50/50 bulbs or 2 daylight & 2 actinic. I've had frogspawn grow like crazy under my 2 X 55W bulbs in a 30 gal. Good luck & keep us posted.

[D_Bo]

May want to consider not using the biowheel. lots of people run into issues with nitrates using wet/dry filters.

[jpmwjm]

Thanks again for all the pointers. They have been very helpful. I will try to pick up another powerhead today or tommorrow. I bought all the rock that the LFS had ready for sell. He lets the rock cure in a holding tank for ten days before he will sell it. If he gets more next week, will I be able to put it straight in my tank or should it set in another tank for a while first. Also how long should it be before I notice any new growth on my other rock? By the way I got my PC lights yesterday. The look great. I will add more rock as soon as I can get it. He also gave me the option to buy some of the rock he has in his established tanks at his shop. Would this be a better option than the newer rock? Again thanks. Everyone has been very helpful. I cant follow through on all of the pointers, but I try to do all I can.

[jpmwjm]

Hello All,
I was able to get two maxi-jet 1200 powerheads to add to my tank over the weekend. I also bought ten more pounds of live rock and ten pounds of dead coral rock to add to the tank. My live rock total is at 38 LBs. I'm halfway to where I want to be. I was wondering about the live rock and my skimmer. My tank is now one week old. When should I start getting foam in my skimmer? And when should I notice any regrowth on the live Rock

[kgh9555]

Don't rush the cycle, it takes time. yest your water every day. When you hit good reading, do a 25% change with GOOD filtered water (purchase it for your fish store). I have learned the more live rock the better. I also found, on ebay, a great site for ourchaseing live rock and shipping is free (10lbs for $70), it is called 'Peice of the reef'. Just type in Live Rock in the search. You will see them there. If you need more infor on them, let me know.

Ken

[pete york]

give it some time man let it all play out