I am what you call: a "newbie".

Hello everyone,

I have been searching and reading these forums for the last few weeks. I've gotten a lot of sound advice from many of you, simply by reading your responses to other questions. I just decided that I would join this group simply because I felt like it would be appropriate.

I own a 75 gallon salt water aquarium. I am in the process of making it a fish and reef aquarium. I am running a canister filter and I have created my own sump and biological filter with an small glass aquarium that I wasn't using. The sump is gravity fed through a pvc pipe. The pvc pipe siphons from my aquarium down to my sump and comes out through a float valve which aqjusts the flow of water according to the water level in the sump, or basically how fast the submersible pump can push it back up to the aquarium. The incoming water into the sump must flow through a whole lot of lava rock (about the equivalent of 1 1/2 "5 gallon buckets") in order to reach the submersible pump. There is also a protiein skimmer working in the sump as well. I haven't heard of anyone using lava rock as filter media for a biological filter, however, I've had great success in using it in my koi ponds so I felt I would give it a try. I don't know, I might get some disagreement, but that's ok, I'm open to suggestions.

I have had my tank set up for about 2 months now. It has completely cycled and the water parameters are fantastic. The bacteria has apparently grown very well; however, despite this, I still added a single bottle of Bio-Spira into the sump a few days ago, just for good measure. So far I have about 100 pounds of live rock but I am aiming on getting some more within the next week or so. I have no coral yet. I currently have a clown fish, Algae Blenny or "Lawnmower" and a Red Mandarin. The fish have been in my tank for about a week and a half now and they seem to be doing very well so far. They are eating and adapting very well and even acknowledging me by coming up and around when it is feeding time. I love that! ;D However, I'm still observing them and the water parameters carefully in case there are any fluctuations.

I have replaced the original 8,000k 48" light with a 10,000k 48". I am not quite sure though if this will be sufficient for coral. Nevertheless, I'm going to continue reading the threads and try to learn more as I continue on. I GREATLY appreciate this site and many of you have been a great help to me without even knowing it. I hope to one day understand this hobby as much as many of you.

Thanks,
Airbornewilson.

P.S. Sorry about the length......

 

nice start bro! Wish I had been that thought out! My one piece of advice from a noob to another after lessons you're about to learn! Save the money and buy more light than you think you'll need! Better than cheaping out now and realizing your softies look like crap and you cant buy that new coral you didn't know existed! i'm getting ready to buy round 3 of lights due to this! A holy cow i cant believe i'm spending this much on lights led set1 If i had just thought it out and not wasted the money on the other 2 fixtures, this led purchase would be easy and about as much money as 've already spent!

/in the words of someone on here, there are places you dont skimp and lighting is #1

 

seems your off to a fairly god start. one thing though ditch the canister and go for a sump, canisters are more effective for freshwater, and are generally "Nitrate factories" Nitrates=bad news for your tank and fish. Just my opinion