Hi from Long Island

Hey all - been involved with freshwater tanks about 10 years, with a 55 gallon corner tank right now with Africans. I have always wanted to do a reef tank - and finally jumping in.

I picked up a 100 gallon DSA pro tank, pretty well loaded -

so far my set up is -
DSA 100 Gallon Pro with RS-100 sump
lifeguard QL-25 UV Sterilizer (not sure if I am going to hook up)
Wavemaster pro wavemaker
(2) Hydro Koralia 1500 GPH Wavemakers
(1) Hydro Koralia 2250 GPH Wavemaker
Orbit Marine LED's
Skimmer - eshopps PSK-150


I am looking to start the set up next week - I will post some pics through my process.

Mike

 

Welcome to 3reef! Looks like you have some pretty good equipment there to get you started.
What setup are you planning? Fish only, soft corals, LPS, SPS, or mixed reef? Keep us updated with your progress

 

Welcome to 3reef Mike.

Congrats on the new system, exciting stuff.

 

Thanks - looking to do a mixed reef - still reading and reading and reading.... I want to set it up right - I know my light is an okay start - will probably upgrade once it gets up and going.

I am setting it up next week - found some really nice live rock - I will post some pics once I get it set up.

right now its a glass box with a blue light! LOL.

 

Welcome to the reef. I can't wait to see pictures and progression.

 

well, this is pretty much how it starts

 

After a week of reading on the forums, online, google talking to people - I am more confused than when I started.

I am going to start assembling everything on Thursday with the hopes of getting my LR on Friday.

Has anyone used tap water and instant ocean? The guy that was going to help me set it up said I can use it with no problem - but does not sound right to me.

I just ordered an RO filter - I may just wait until I can get my RO filter hooked up and start producing some water.

 

Wait until you get the RO filter rather than use tap. I consider Instant Ocean to be an excellent salt mix for the price.

Did you read any of the stickies in the New To The Hobby forum on 3reef? This is an excellent thread to start with.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/whats-important-successful-tank-108699.html#.UrkMKLR2DIU

Just take your time, like they say it's a hobby not a race. It will get to be much easier because basically you have weeks to cycle the tank which allows you to get things stabilized before you introduce live stock.

 

Great read thanks. What is another week. My RO filter will be in my boiler room - directly under my tank. I was thinking about running a line up to the tank and now I know I am going to.

 

I definitely wouldn't do tap water, as others have said. You would probably end up with an algae bloom to end all algae blooms!

Definitely take your time. I know it's frustrating, though! When I set up my first reef tank 5 years ago, my husband about drove me crazy. He was tired of looking at a "pile of rocks" and kept asking me when I was going to put something in there that swam...

Welcome to 3reef!