New to salt water

Discussion in 'Say Hello!' started by muskrat, Feb 7, 2011.

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  1. muskrat

    muskrat Bristle Worm

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    Hello all.
    My wife got a Nanocube CF-QUAD 28g for an early Valentine. Funny, it's hers and I'm doing all the work.
    This is our first salt water tank and I'm going to need lots of help. For starters it looks like I need a heater :cry: but arranging the rocks is the most challenging with the sand stirring up. How long does the tank need to cycle before I can add livestock to this setup?

    Thanks and look forward to reading all the posts throughout.
     
    muskrat, Feb 7, 2011
    muskrat, Feb 7, 2011
    #1

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  2. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    Welcome to 3 reef, Muskrat

    Steve
     
    steve wright, Feb 7, 2011
    steve wright, Feb 7, 2011
    #2
  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Welcome muskrat.

    You should plan on it taking 4-6 weeks for the tank to cycle. The amount of time is variable based on weather you use dry base rock, uncured live rock or cured live rock.

    Arranging the rock work is a challenge in the 28 gal nanos.

    Just go slow, seek assist when you have questions and research when you can.

    Congrats on the new tank, that is a nice Valentine present.
     
    Corailline, Feb 7, 2011
    Corailline, Feb 7, 2011
    #3
  4. Clonefarmer

    Clonefarmer Millepora

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    Welcome to 3reef!
     
    Clonefarmer, Feb 8, 2011
    Clonefarmer, Feb 8, 2011
    #4
  5. jdameli1

    jdameli1 Torch Coral

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    Welcome!
     
    jdameli1, Feb 8, 2011
    jdameli1, Feb 8, 2011
    #5
  6. Matt121

    Matt121 Fire Worm

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    Hello and welcome ;-)
     
    Matt121, Feb 8, 2011
    Matt121, Feb 8, 2011
    #6

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  7. muskrat

    muskrat Bristle Worm

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    Thanks guys. Using live rock and yes it's a challenge, I think I bought too much for tank.
     
    muskrat, Feb 8, 2011
    muskrat, Feb 8, 2011
    #7
  8. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Welcome to 3reef
     
    2in10, Feb 8, 2011
    2in10, Feb 8, 2011
    #8
  9. homegrowncorals

    homegrowncorals Ribbon Eel

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    Hello and welcome to 3reef
     
    homegrowncorals, Feb 8, 2011
    homegrowncorals, Feb 8, 2011
    #9
  10. Atticus818

    Atticus818 Eyelash Blennie

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    Rock should be between 1-1.75 lbs. per gallon. Nice thing with rock, is that it is your personal preference. Just make sure you have decent flow (much harder in a JBJ because the outlet is preset for you) through all of the rock. You don't want stuff to settle in all the areas behind and in between rocks.

    Good luck, and welcome to 3reef.
     
    Atticus818, Feb 8, 2011
    Atticus818, Feb 8, 2011
    #10
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