New to Saltwater - Cycling Questions

Cycling

The slower you go the better. I would wait almost 2 months just to be sure lol I remember the second time I set up my tank I almost waited two months just to be sure because my tank failed the first time around and you don't want that. Also, be sure to use RO/DI water because if you don't it is going to kill you down the road.

Aiptasia

I use Aiptasia-X and it kills them instantly. Just be sure to squirt it all over it and the base so it kills all of it. I keep all corals, from softies to SPS, and this stuff never bothers them.

Good luck and start a tank thread!

 

Thanks again. I'll try the Aiptasia-X and I will certainly take my time. I learned my lesson with freshwater tanks. I didn't lose any fish but I was doing 50% water changes twice a day for a month. That would be nearly impossible with a 65 gallon saltwater tank so I will play it safe. Did everything else look safe on the live rock picture?

I picked out an RO/DI unit from Air, Water & Ice already and I will buy one before I get the RSM 250. I am hoping I can get a good black Friday deal next week or I would have bought one already.

 

before i got a peppermint shrimp i used a seringe with some lemon juice to rid of aipstasia worked well just stick it down its mouth its cool to watch the pepermit shrimp wail on them .. theres vidios on you tube lol

 

I tried the vinegar and I think it worked. At fist I couldn't tell because it retracted into a tight space but I waited a few hours and I was able to suck it out with no effort.

 

I found several more very small aiptasia and killed them using the Aiptasia -X. I have gone over the rock with a flashlight the last three days and there are no more so far. I now have 15 lbs of live rock in my little 10 gallon aquarium. I ordered my RO/DI unit from Air, Water & Ice last night and I will probably order the RSM 250 either tomorrow or early next week. I have a few questions regarding the initial set up still.

1. I like the look of the aquariums with a little more open space so I am probably going to get around 1 lb of rock per gallon. How much of that should be live rock and how much can be base rock?
2. Many reviewers have mentioned that they buy chillers for this unit but I noticed many of them live in Florida or other warm climates. I live in Maryland and keep my house around 68 degrees in the winter and 74 in the summer. Can I get away without buying a chiller at least until summer?
3. Can anyone recommend a good thermometer? I have always used cheap ones for freshwater tanks but I want something more accurate and easy to read with this tank/
4. Below are my supplies or planned supplies to have in place before I set up the aquarium. Please let me know if I am missing anything even if it is not an essential item. Keep in mind that the RSM 250 comes with the bulk of what I need to get it up and running.

80 lbs of sand
65 lbs of rock
RO/DI Unit with all accessories needed
Large new trash can
Rubber gloves
45 lbs of aquarium salt
Small Pump in case I need it
Syphon and 5 gallon buckets

Thanks again.

Jim

 

Decent test kit.
Refractometer.
Mag Float to clean the glass.
I am not sure what the kit comes with so these maybe included. Probably includes a hydrometer, but you will probably want a refractometer later down the road.

 

Thanks. I already have the API saltwater test kit but I forgot about the mag float. The kit comes with a hydrometer but I will look into a refractometer.

 

Okay, I have ordered the RSM 250 and it should arrive December 10 or sooner. My sand and random accessories are out for delivery by UPS so I should have them today. I ordered 50 lbs of Key Largo Rock from Marco Rocks and I should have that soon too. I also have on RO/DI unit on the way. I already have 15 lbs of live rock sitting in a separate tank so I should be able to set everything up once the tank arrives.

I have some questions about clean-up crews. I intend to make them my first live purchase once the nitrogen cycle completes but the number of snails recommended seems crazy to me. Reefcleaners has their quick crew for a 50 gallon tank and it includes more than 100 snails. When I picture 100+ snails in a 50 gallon tank, I picture a big mess. I never see a ton of snails in people’s tank pictures so I am wondering where they are. Are they hidden among the rock or is 100 way too many? Should I go with less of them at first and then add more as needed?

 

All you have to do is send John at Reefcleaners a pm and see if there is a better package for you. You have plenty of time for him to get back to you. I would allow some time after the cycle to allow some algae growth for the snails to eat.

Sounds like you are getting it together. Exciting getting a new tank. I like the RedSea Max as a AIO.