just started my tank two days ago

I had a saltwater tank about 10 years ago. Don't think i had a protein skimmer and lost alot of fish. I now have started a 55 gallon tank. I put in salt and i also added crushed coral. I don't know that I should of added the crushed coral or not. I also added something called a.c.t. I have a magnum 350 deluxe filtration. I am waiting for my protein skimmer through the mail that i got on ebay, it is for a tank up to 75 gallons. I have not been able to test the water yet as I have not gotten a test kit. Can someone please tell me what test kit I need and was the crushed coral the right thing to add right now. I would like to add live rock but do not know when I can do that. I know I have to wait a few weeks to think about fish but how lone to wait for the live rock. I need some advice on where to go from here so I don't lose any fish or kill the live rock that I add. I am really new to this in that I want to do it right this time. I love the ocean and I love the feeling of having it in my own home. Can someone please give me some good advice on what I need to buy next. I really want to make this work and have a beautiful fish only with live rock tank. Please Help! thanks so much ;D

 

Hi Charlie! ;D

You will definitely need the following test kits:

Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate.

You also need something to check salinity *I assume you already do if you made your water already ;D

If you want the corraline algae to grow on the live rock (the purple and red encrusting stuff) you might want to get a calcium test kit as well. That needs to be around 400 to promote good growth.

What skimmer did you get?
Have fun!

 

In addition to BL's comments. Have a look at the crushed coral and just make sure that it is not too coarse.

I am also just starting a new tank. What I have done is added my substrate, added water and salt. Raised the temperature to 75F. Added a pump for a bit of circulation and a cannister filter to clear the water. Alaso added just one peice of live rock to start the Nitrogen cycle.

John

 

One thing to make a note of is that you can get LR online for about half the price as in the store. Since it is shipped w/o water the live rock has to be re-cured but you can cure it in your tank while it is cycling (you can't cure rock with fish in tank). I wish I had done this while my tank was cycling.

 

Check your local store too though first. Not all LFS's are overpriced but yes it usually will cost a little more at least. And I personally like picking all my livestock out including liverock so I get exactly what I want.

 

Yup. That's where I 'm at. Do I order LR on line and take what I get....or go pick it out cause I want lots of overhangs, caves, etc.????? Wish I could have the best of both worlds.....

 

[quote author=shawnz28 link=board=Newbie;num=1091072254;start=0#4 date=07/29/04 at 19:44:12]

Check your local store too though first. Not all LFS's are overpriced but yes it usually will cost a little more at least.  And I personally like picking all my livestock out including liverock so I get exactly what I want.[/quote]


The best advice I have heard for a long time

John