Newb looking for guidance!

I decided to take up a new hobby. I've had fresh water tanks and quickly become bored. I read so much info on marine and it sometimes looks overwhelming but my LFS (absolutely fish in clifton, nj) told me the opposite they made it sound so easy I spent a couple hundred bucks on new stuff.

First, what do you guys think of the 48 in marineland 24 hour LED system? worth the money? does it pay itself like the guy at my LFS claims (no bulb changing) I have a canister, started to add live rock, and a skimmer. is this enough filtration for a 55g? I also read many of you stating how bad crushed coral is vs sand. the LFS sold me crushed coral. i'll upload a pic in a few because my live rock was added 5 days ago and now has brown algae starting to cover it.

Please help so this doesn't become a frustrating hobby fellas and ladies.

55g tank
coralife superskimmer 65g
cascade canister 700
marineland led 24 hour system (marine capable)
Instant ocean sea salt

These were the items i was sold to start my tank. I want to know what exactly experienced hobbyist recommend before i invest in livestock!!!

 

this is the picture i just took of my once purple liverock becoming brown

 

It doesn't matter what light fixture you have, you will have to change bulbs. I'd go for t5's or halides if you want to keep serious coral. I'd go with sand, I've heard a lot of bad things about crushed coral, although I have no experience with it. Brown algae is a natural part of cycling your tank, so don't worry about that. As the tank goes through the cycle that will come and go. I've found canister filters to be pretty useless for reef tanks, and I just use live rock and a protein skimmer for my 90. Make sure to do plenty of research and ask plenty of questions before getting into livestock.

 

I agree. I don't think the full LED light systems can have the same effect that a T5 or MH can do. I would feel better about having to change the T5 bulbs to keep the intense light that it produces.

Your rock turning brown like that is all part of the cycle process.

Saltwater aquariums are costly to start, but to maintain it isn't. Just remember the golden rule, have patience and don't try to rush things. Good luck

 

Thanks!! appreciate the advice! I will give it time I am in no rush just want to make sure this water is in pristine condition before investing in live stock. I was told the new LED's are better then T5's. I have to admit they are crazy bright they mess with your vision if you look at them for a few seconds. I want to trust my LFS but at the same time you guys are in it for the hobby and not the money so i'll do more research. Great forum!

 

It's been roughly two weeks and I had my water checked at my LFS. Everything looks fine so I added live more live rock and was ttold to keep my lights on for no more then 8 hours. Keep them off to kill the brown algae that started growing. The big surprise was to find a baby sea snail on the crushed coral and a bigger one cleaning my glass! lol

 

You'll have to forgive my eyes. I'm old and I'm overdue for new glasses. However, I'm not convinced that your brown algae is brown algae. During an initial cycle, diatoms are quite common and that is the most common brown algae. However, the growth patterns I'm seeing look more like Aceol flatworms to me. acoel flatworms - Google Search If I'm correct, just use Flatworm Exit or a similar product. (Again, forgive my age and eyesight if I'm wrong).

Crushed Coral requires cleaning and sand does not. Certain animals will not appreciate CC (Crushed Coral). For instance, many wrasses like to bury themselves in the sand to sleep or when stressed. However, if you keep your CC clean and avoid animals that require sand, you'll be fine.

 

I bet you were saying the same when T5's first came out about them. My LFS has a full coral tank with anemones clams etc under LED. LED's are better, they are the future, no bulb changes, they look better than T5's because they shimmer and they produce way less heat than halides.

 

s because they shimmer and they produce way less heat than halides.[/QUOTE]

TRUE DAT!!! lol

the shimmer is nice and the heat is less!!! so is the electric bill!

 

Thanks man! I appreciate the advice they started like little specks and soon started to grow. I showed the LFS where i bought the LR from its a bloom. I'm guilty for loving and leaving my LED's on hhmmm about 18 our of the 24 hours a day has lol. I took it out and monitor my lighting no more then 8 hours a day and it is dying off.