Time To Take The Plunge

I've wanted a reef tank for many, many years and now is the time. I have been successful in keeping goldfish in a 16-gal tank for over 7 years (yes, the same fish) and am very impressed with myself. (Are goldfish the easiest of all? If so, don't tell me for my justification for taking this financial plunge will be destroyed!)

I bought a 29-gal Nano on Saturday and am reading everything I can get my hands on before I start with the live sand and live rock. Made a huge mistake right out of the gate -- TAP WATER! So, gonna start over using RO/DI water that I understand can be purchased at Walmart. Then it's off to the store for live sand and live rock.

I would welcome any words of wisdom, if you'd like to share...

Linda

 

The only words of advice I can offer is research first and buy second.

You might look into some books as well. The Consciencous Marine Aquarist is a good one although I might have mispelled it.

Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of saltwater.

Oh almost forgot, don't hesitate to ask questions...

 

We had one that lived in a hex 1 gal hex tank for a long long time without water changes(Greener than green). My kids won it at the fair and they never did anything with it. It sat on my counter for about 3 years until we moved. I made my husband release him into a local pond. Figured he'd have atleast a fighting chance there. I often wonder how's he's doin LOL

As far as financial plunge, yes, go slow but whatever you do DON'T buy junk! Buy the good stuff ie..skimmers, filters, lights etc... Pay now or pay later and you get what you pay for! That's pretty much what I've learned!
Like Matt says Go Slow, Let it Grow!!!! Good luck and can't wait to see the tank!!

Linda;D

 

I would really avoid purchasing RO/DI from a store like WalMart only because the water is only as good as the maintenance on the unit. you may want to find a Local Fish store (LFS) that could sell you some. they will know the importance of good RO/DI there are also a lot of cheap RO units you can buy that will accommodate your needs like this one

Good luck and Welcome. make sure you keep us up-to-date with all your adventures with the new tank

J

 

Welcome to 3reef, glad to have you aboard. Like Jason said, buy your own RO/DI unit so you can make sure you know how good your water is. Bad water means all kinds of problem. Spend the money now for the equipment or spend it later on chemicals to fix problem not counting the loss of livestock.

 

Welcome Hey does that tap filter really work?

 

Hello linda!! Welcome to 3reef!
Actually, Goldfish aren't as easy as many people would admit or think! I think that certain African Cichlids are easier. Plus, most people think that a goldfish can and should be kept in a small goldfish bowl with limited aeration and nothing more than a water change every few weeks with a tap water conditioner additive...similar to a Betta! Then they wonder why they have success longterm with keeping a goldfish! Also, salt should be added to their water...
At any rate, glad you decided to make the switch to salt and applause to you for your efforts and success through proper husbandry skills that your goldfish survived so long!

As for the saltwater nano tank, it is great that you are taking the time to read and research before hand to better your chances, and that of your living animals, of success.
Make sure you have the right equipment and cheap equipment will come back to haunt you in the future many times, so I would get optimal equipment right from the get go such as an efficient Skimmer.
Best of luck and continue to read...it will only help you and your livestock plus you WILL reap the benefits of success associated with your reading and enlightening yourself!

 

welcome to 3 reef!

 

Sure does. I know people that have used them for years (replacing when necessary) with great success


J

 

Thank You...

Thanks to all of you for the encouragement.

I'd already decided that not to skimp on the equipment and to set up the tank right from the start. If I don't then success will elude me, I'll grow discouraged. If I'm gonna go broke, then I want something beautiful to look at.

My first question relates to the saltwater mixture - which I'm still grappling with. Here's what I didn't know before I started mixing the salt into the water: 1. A hydrometer is only effective at certain water temp. (absent ANY water bubbles; 2. Tap water is a BIG no no. So, what did I do? I mixed in the salt and kept checking the specific gravity (SG) of the tap water at the temp. right out of the tap. So, of course, I kept adding more salt...ugh. Yesterday, I replaced about 5 gallons of the tap water mixture with straight distilled water and I'm getting closer. What should I do, though. Should I keep replacing with distilled or start all over again. I think there's so much salt in there that by the time I finish "replacing," there won't be much tap water left.

P.S. I knew about adding salt to the goldfish water -- it's my understanding that it neutralizes the ammonia. It also helps your goldfish to swim upright again -- kind of an amazing remedy.

Linda