Brand New Saltwater Newbie...

Just wanted to say hi to everyone and i hope this website helps me through the process.

I have a 35 gal tank i want to make into a reef tank with fish as well. I have the original hang on back filter with the black plastic tube hanging in the tank to suck up water. I am in the process of cycning the tank and i am making sure to go very slow.

I have two power heads in the tank moving water, two because i made the mistake of buying a ceesy one from petsmart and it didnt move water very well.

I have a regular glass heater but i dont really have to use it becasue the water seems to stay right at 77 degrees. Im guessing the lights help with that.

I just added live sand hoping to get the bacteria growth people talk about. Im waiting on live rock because in order to get the 2-1 ratioo of rock to water i need 70 lbs and the LFS here sells for 6.49 a pound. yea and thats $454. Im researching the idea to make my own base rock and just populate it fully with micro bacteria first for a long time before moving in critters.

I dont have a sump or refugium but i really dont need one for a tank this small anyway right?

I bought a small protien skimmer from craigslist but it hasnt made any foam much less brought anything into the container at top. could be lack of bacteria?

but i just wanted to say hello and i will post my questions elsewhere. I need to make sure to do everyhitng right as my wife is breathing down my neck over costs. But my daighter and I are sure we want to take the challenge so we are just telling her everything is $20.


See you guys out there...

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef! Your heater is still a usefull tool. As the lights go on and off it will raise and lower your temperature. The idea is to keep it stable which is where your heater comes in handy. I would set it about one degree cooler then the highest tank temp. during the day so it doesn't swing up and down so much.
Since this is a new tank your skimmer will probably not produce much skimmate because of the lack of proteins present. It will also take a little while for it to break in.
I have found the best way to start is to use 90 percent dry base rock and then "seed" it with a small piece of LR. This will help keep any unwanted hitch hikers from invading your tank. I try to stay away from chemicals that claim to cycle a tank. You will want to add the rock as quickly as possible because this is where most of the bio film and good bacteria is formed.Also you will want to add a piece of dead shrimp to give the bacteria something to feed on before critters are added.
Good luck!!8)

 

ok i will leave the heater in @ 1 degree cooler.

Question about the dead shrimp... like shrimp that I eat from the grocery store or find a fish store with some dead shrimp? And i should add this while cycling?

Thanks for the reply!

 

Yes in order for the cycle to begin you will need a food source for the bacteria to begin growing. You can use a piece of shrimp from the grocery store or even some fish food. 8)8) After you cycle you can then add a critter or two to keep the bacteria alive.

 

alright! im excited now. just putting something in the water other than salt and sand is kind of a cool thing. Is there a max or a min of shrimp/fish food i should put in? like one peice of shrimp or one pinch of fish food, or maybe a little of both? thanks a lot btw vinnyboombatz

 

Probably one whole frozen shrimp will be plenty. As for the rock, making your own is fun and pretty easy. I made all of the rock for my tank, and it cost me like 40 bucks, and there's still supplies left to make more. I will try to get u some links later when I'm on a computer.

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk

 

Your quite welcome.As I stated you will want to get rock in there while you are cycling it is very important.You will need to test your water to determine how your tank is cycling.You will first get ammonia.Then you will start to see nitrite.And finally Nitrate will form. Once ammonia and nitrites disapear your tank will be cycled and ready for one fish or cuc. I would suggest adding a fish then wait a few days to add your cuc. A few small hermits or snails will help the inevitable algae and diatom blooms that corespond with a new tank. Just remember nothing good in this hobby is ever done quickly. It usually takes at least three to four weeks to cycle the aquarium. Go slow let it grow!!8)

 

insanespain.... i would love to have those links. When you get a chance...

 

I am already on board the patience train. I dont want to kill stuff. that doesnt sound fun. although i know i will I would still like to be careful. I will get some rock this weekend and put into the tank. I will also put a shrimp in it. Thanks a lot guys.

 

I found one link for you.
http://www.3reef.com/forums/live-rock/make-your-own-live-rock-47495.html
The only thing with making your own is it will take time for it to cure.
If you are interested in buying base rock I would recommend Reef Cleaners they are a sponsor here and sell it at a reasonable price.Good luck!