newbie okinawa

Hello all,
I am a first time salt-water tank owner, My setup is currently on the floor in the box because I want to set it up right.
I have a few questions for the group that I hope aren't to ignorant, I'll use the search function later (gotta get ready for work).
My list of what I have is in my signature but on top of that I have Aquasafe, Quick Dip aquarium test strips for ammonia and also Jungle brand Start right... the BX doesn't carry much on Okinawa and trying to navigate the area is a Pain since everything is naturally in Japanese.

Can I take sand and old coral chips off the bottom of the sea to use in my tank?

Will the saltwater from the beach work as a starter water for my aquarium?

Is it a bad idea to harvest fish, plants and anemone from the reefs to put in my tank?

Also my stand is probably going to be a gov't furnished heavy wood computer-stand that sits in a corner by a sliding glass door so that I can open blinds for partial light ((the tank wont be directly in-front of glass).

thankyou and please correct any of my errant thoughts.

Crash
_________________
brand new to SW fishtanks.
55gal marineland "delux bio-wheel starter kit"
Perfecto recessed full hood
Marineland 20-40 dual-temp 200 watt heater

looking to setup with live coral and various salt-water fish so my son can stop watching "nemo" and start watching the fish in the tank

 

Welcome to 3reef! Glad to see you have stepped to the dark side.
Get rid of the dip test kits, good for fresh water but no accurate for SW. Salifert is a good affordable test kit. If you can get Agra-Alive sand by Carib-Sea it will have the bacteria you need to get your tank started. Watch taking water from the ocean because near the coast is where all the contaninents are, oil run off, chemicals in people yards, etc
The fish you could catch but you better not let anyone see you taking coral from the reef or you could spend some serious time behind bars. For me it's not worth the risk and they are endangered anyway so I would leave them be.
Don't put the tank near sunlight, it will cause algae to grow and that is not what you want. Myself I would drill the tank for overflows and make sure you don't pinch pennies when you get the skimmer and lights for the tank. You need to decide what type of corals your going to keep and then buy lights for that.

 

Hiya Crash,

Good to see you here. Don't know if we have any other members from Okinawa - - you just might be first.

Am assuming you are in US Military by ref. to "BX" -

So also assuming you will only be there for couple of years at most.

It might be worth considering setting up a Fish Only tank, as a Reef Tank will just be getting settled in by that time. (Esp as you did not mention your setup light configuration.)

Unless you self collect all your stock, LR, Water, then you can be selective of what corals you add.

Which is a great idea if no laws preventing it. You have some great reefs nearby. Wish I had.

When it is time to move on, you can just return everything you collect back to where you got it!

Heck, go for it! It will be a great learning experience for when you return here and have to start spending big $$$ for everything here.

Send us reports/pics of progress...

Good Luck! - Have Fun!​

The Tao of Marine Aquaria
Tips for Our Hobby and Life

© 1997 Adam H. Whitlock
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan 11/25/00




​

 

so what was the usefullness of the filter that came with the kit? or are there just a couple of different filters needed for saltwater setups?
the lighting that came with the kit is two hoods that house18" Eclipse "natural daylight" bulbs, the unit is rated 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 17 watts and is Aquarium Equipment model 24rfh.

Since the sunlight is not so great for it, does light that gets through blinds and such hurt anything?

again sorry for the new guy questions, I have been searching the net for a a week now to gather information and you are the first forum to help

oh, I am Air Force, I'll be on Okinawa for another 3 years

 

Welcome to 3reef!

 

The sunlight through the window will cause algae to grow where it shines on the tank. Try and stay away from the window if you can, the sunlight will also add heat to the tank too.
The only filter I use on my tank is filter socks that catch large debre in the sump, a skimmer, and I trickle water through a refugium. That is it. You will probably have success with the hang on filter just make sure you keep it cleaned out. There are so many ways to keep SW that it's hard to say that one way works. Something that works for you may not work for me, different bio load, coral...what ever.
Just keep an eye on your parameters until you learn your tank and you should be ok. Just take your time during the cycle and don't add snake oils to speed it up, let nature do the work.

 

I think I'll run my freshwater test today then start getting sand and whatnot from the beach. My wife suggested putting the tank on the counter in the kitchen between the kitchen and dinning room area... there are windows on both sides so I am not sure it it'll work well....


=== (window)==-------==(window)==
-------[sink]---l--------l ----------------ll
----------------l------l----------------ll
----------------l------l----------------ll
----------------l tank l----------------ll
----------------l------l----------------ll
----------------l------l----------------ll

if that makes any sense to anyone



what is more desirable for gluing rock and coral (dead) to each other for decor in the tank? I have read clear silicone and also concrete... silicone is easy to get at the BX, but my biggest hurdle is the language barrier.. I dont know Japanese so I am halfway screwed off base. LOL

 

If those are north windows you might be ok but if sunlight comes in and hits the tank at any time of the day you will be adding problem to your tank. I use this kind of Epoxy to glue my rock together and for coral use this.

 

Collect sand and rock from as remote an area as possible.

Will be interesting to see what you come up with.

Keep in touch and post pics when you can.

Enjoy!

 

kitchen area, the tank will be on the bar where all the clutter is.. hopefully it's sturdy enough, it *should* be. the windows face NE by E at 240*



this is the other option in the living room, my concern is being by the TV and the main sliding door. This faces exactly opposite the kitchen windows and is W by SW at 60*


the blinds are rarely opened in the kitchen, they are cracked halfway in the living room throughout the day.

the wife (boss) really wants it on the bar.