Hello from SoCal

Hi Guys/Girls:

I am just starting off on marine aquarium. I had fresh water tanks before (several times) in my life.

- 75 gal (got it used on craigslist - removed some scratches)
- drilled 3 holes for close loop sys (i think that's what they are called)
- bought some acrylic glass from Lowes and created a sump.
- bought an external water pump
- put all the pvc plumping up, etc. (I have pics, which i will post soon)
- stuck an overflow box in the tank w/ the left over acrylic glass
- Now, I have the tank running w/ tap water for now to make sure water level, etc. are all working w/ the sump.
- Order like 30 lbs of macro base rocks - i have them in FW now, will boil them tonight.
- Have some live sand (~60lb)
- storing up enough RO water in my bucket
- will start mixing it w/ salt (not table salt) soon, probably this weekend.
+ My next steps (pls feel free to chime in)
- get some test kits
- get hydor koralia pumps (2) to move some water
- get the water temp. and parameters correct
- put base rock in with some lr that i am planning to get
- let it sit for several weeks before I put in my sand

What do you think? I am taking it slow, but again, I want to get started with having the live rock cured and having the sand in, etc asap.

 

Welcome to 3reef!

I myself cannot help since i do not know much, but I know there are many people on this forum that will respond pretty quick probably within the next 10 minutes.

You have come to right forum for SW

 

welcome to 3reef!!!


once you figure the water level right, get the tap water out of there. and slowly save up RO water.

since your just setting it up you can fill the 75 with all RO water and mix the salt that you can get at an lfs or petco.

and mix it in the tank. you cant do this later on for water changes but since you have nothing living in there yet once you get the water jsut right. add the sand. and the live rock. you are probably going to want at least 80 pounds of lr maybe 100.

 

Not at this time, but that's because I have been reading this forum so long. Thanks. But definitely I will have some questions later.

I just finished boiling the base rocks, phew..that was a lot of work. People at my house are confused..."first you want bacteria, and now you are boiling the heck out of the rocks to kill bacteria, what do you want?" LOL

 

Welcome to 3Reef>>>>>>

 

I am in San Gabriel Valley - close to Pasadena.

I do have a question about test kits. Do you guys/gals use Refractometer or Hydrometer?
For Salifert test kits, I am planning to get Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH. Do I need more than that?

Thanks for your help.

 

refractometer all the way

You'll want basic tests no matter what, PH, Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate
if keeping coral you'll want, MG, Calc, Alk/kh for sure

 

Welcome to 3 reef from a nor-cal guy :LolLolLol Anyways you have definetly come to the right place. As you will see this forum is loaded with not only Knowledgeable people , but extremly nice people as well. So welcome to our little hobby and good luck to you on creating your little slice of ocean heaven.