helllllllo!

Hello my friends!

Just recently dove head first into taking a saltwater aquarium off of my friend's hands. It is a 55 gallon tank with with a few small live rock in it. Tank has been up and running for about 5 days with one damsel added yesterday, 8/14 (local aquarium store suggested this). I am in no hurry for anything and just want to produce a healthy, beautiful reef aquarium.

Ammonia levels are high but pH and salinity are stable! The tank looks rather empty with the lack of rock and such. Was wondering if anyone would suggest more live rock, or "base" rock? Saw that base rock was the much cheaper of the two but wanted some professional opinions from the 3reef fam!

You guys are awesome and I am super stoked to get this thing up on and going!

-Matt (the super newbie)

 

Welcome to 3reef Matt! I'm not a big fan of cycling with a live fish but whatever it's your tank. Right? LOL.
Anyway to answer your ?. Yes dry (base) rock is very much less expensive than live so what many of us do is create a big portion of our aqua-scape with it and then adding a few pounds of coralline covered live rock that has been properly cured. In a few months time your entire rock work will be "live" and you'll have saved quite a bit of money.

 

Welcome to 3reef.
+1 to reefmonkey's post

 

Welcome to 3reef. You are starting exactly where I did just over a year ago... This is the place to learn. Just ask TONS of questions... The community here will help you out.

Mark

 

Welcome, enjoy your stay..
You stated ammonia is high, just how high is it? Numbers always help.

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef

 

My opinion on the live rock is a little different from most. if you are just looking for the bacteria, just buy mostly base rock and feed with a little live. However, if you can afford it, the more live rock the better for me. i enjoy all of the little creatures that come on the live rock so the more rock, the better the chances of getting something interesting. of course there is risk as well. you can also get hitchhikers that you don't want. For me, the "good" and the "bad" were all part of the fun. Also, i am not a big fan of ordering my rock on line. it is usually more expensive locally but you get to pick out your individual pieces. i like large rocks with interesting shapes and i want to see each rock before i put it in my tank. Of course my tastes in this area usually hurt my bank account too. these are just my opinions and many more experienced aquarists disagree.

 

For those of you joining us that are new to the hobby - the best piece of advice you'll get around here as a saltwater newbie is 3Reef's slogan
"Go slow, let it grow."
And for those experianced hobbyists joining us - it's still good advice
good luck and post pics soon



Here are a few threads for you to read, then come back and ask about anything you still don't understand. we'll get you squared away and on the right path

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/how-setup-saltwater-aquarium-89044.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/ultimate-newbie-guide-86462.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/all-about-skimmers-skimmers-skimmer-85389.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/handy-research-links-89299.html

 

Welcome To 3Reef