North lauderdale, fl

NEED SOME HELP OR SHOULD I SAY HELLO FIRST?!

Back on the grind...gave up a 75 gal 3 years ago that was set up as a FOWLR few invertabreas, sponges but nothing major and now have a 125gal. if you saw the grin on my face!!! Got it up today and was like my daughter in the toy isle at the fist store!!! It's been a while so I feel new at this all over again..need some direction..I would love to get this up as a reef aquarium this time since I have a little more margin for errors ( not expecting any major screw ups). It just went up today, the sand 3-4" thick, ph buffer, the smelly live stuff to start the cycle quick and tomorrow lr is going in. I know i have to cycle it for 30-45 days before hand. considering I've never managed a reef aquarium where should I start. I have a sump, stardard lighting not fit for a reef yet, two power heads and thats about it. I want to start off with easy stuff but also compatable for a reef tank. I'm planning to give it six months before I begin to make the transition. So what can I do or should I do or not do for that matter. My step son is driving me nuts for a fish so after cycling what should be the first hardy fish (compatable for a reef)? I'm relying on the reef experts here. I'm sure it's like riding a bike but I've never had a full reef aquarium before!!!! Already addicted! Four hours and it's already clear.....

 

First off, I welcome you to 3reef forum! This place is my home lol

I think a first fish(reefsafe) would be a nice tang. Maybe a yellow. they are pretty hardy & not very aggressive, unless had with another of it's own body shape(same goes for most kinds of tangs, aka, conspecifics)

 

so your a late nighter too?!!! Is there anything I need to do in advance as far as getting it set up to be a reef tank? What about propert lighting, water balances? skimmers? or the other stuff I'm forgetting to mention? I would rather get started so I get used to & perfect the maintenance and not spend so much all at one time. after lr and cycle what would be next step?


ps i think this will be home too!!

 

I certainly am!

The next step would be powerheads, for water flow. Fish like it, but it is essential for corals. Different flow rates are preferred by different corals.

You will want a good skimmer & a light fixture too. though these two items can be waited on until the cycle is finished in about 6-8weeks.
-The skimmer should be rated for about 1.5-2X you total water volume. This being because, when skimmers are rated, most are rated for low bioloads(amount of waste).

-For lighting, there's T5HO, metal halide, LED, PC. Most people use metal halide or T5HO for reef tanks.
-LED's are new tech & are not shown yet to have enough par(photosynthetic available radiation) for coral reef tanks.
-If you get MH I recommend a 2x250w setup for your tank.
-If you prefer T5HO, I'd say get a 6 or 8 bulb set up.

Oh I almost forgot, do you have a sump? What about a refugium?

 

I wouldn't put a tang in there first. Sure once the tank is cycled a hardy tang is as capable of survival as anything, but do you really want the test fish to cost more than $25? Also most tangs can be aggressive, so more peaceful fish should go first.

First thing you need to do is figure out what your goal is. I know you said reef tank, but do you want anemones as well, do you want SPS corals, LPS corals, soft corals, or some of all. Once you determine what kind of reef you want it will determine what you need.

Next step would be to get test kits so you can watch the cycle so you know when it is finished rather than just guessing. You will see ammonia rise and fall, nitrites rise and fall, and finally nitrates rise and hopefully fall.

 

Things can be acquired over time. Just save up for things & buy them as you can afford them.

The most important thing you will need is test kits. You should test your water so you know your water parameters. During the cycle of the tank beginning, you will start with 0 nitrates/nitrites/ammonia. As the cycle begins you will see a rise in these levels & they will eventually spike. Then the levels will begin to go down. When they get down to sya about 20ppm you can add in your cuc. When they get to 0, wait a week & see how things are.

You should test for all of these for a reef tank...Nitrate, Nitrtite, Alk, Magnesium, Phosphate, pH, Ammonia.
I suggest API test kits.They are fairly inexpensive & easy to use.
Mater Test Kit...
Aquarium Water Testing: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater Master Liquid Test Kit
Reef Master test Kit...
Aquarium Water Testing: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Reef Master Liquid Test Kit

You will also want a magnesium test kit. Not sure why, but no company makes a complete test kit containing a magnesium test. You'll have to buy this separately.

Also look into an RO/DI (reverse Osmosis De-Ionization)unit. You will have much clearer water than with tap(if you are using tap/store bought).

Oh I keep thinking of stuff. lol. You should get a refractometer to test you specific gravity level. These are much more accurate than hydrometeres.

 

No, I did not mean add a fish in while cycling. That is in-humane to cycle with a fish. Nor is it necessary. That can be done using fish food or a raw shrimp from the store.

 

Got that, I meant after the cycle a tang still wouldn't be my first fish.

 

Yeah, I guess there would be some fish that would be a better choice. My bad.

I wonder if empress had any fish in mind that they want to keep. Maybe we can suggest which to add first from that list?

 

Welcome to 3reef


Finaly a local hey where u getting your lr from i have a realy good local guy that sells localy aquacultured lr filled with coraline, sponges, sea star, sea urchin this stuff is amazing and its 4 bucks a pound