Quote:
Originally Posted by Chammy
Looking for advice, or a step by step to getting my reef tank going. I apologize ahead of time if this is posted but I couldn't find any info.
Anyway, tank is ready to go. So I'm wondering what ratio of salt to water goes in the tank? Running a 90 Gallon
And in doing this, am I safe to get my sand in the bottom while my water cylce stabilizes for the next step...adding rock...and/or possibly somefish?
And while I am waiting for the tank to settle down, where would ideal temperature range be for reef fish?
Thanks again. This community has been quite helpful so far.
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Ratio of salt to water -- different salt mixes have different densities. Should use a hyrdometer (less accurate) or a refractometer (more accurate). Target 1.026 specific gravity or 35 ppt for a reef tank w/ corals & inverts.
Temperature target 76-82 degrees F. Most try to target 77-79 because it's hard to keep water temperature cool with some much equipment, especially lighting.
start with adding sand & rock. Cycling from new arrival live rock / dry rock will take months due to die offs and ecological succession. Quickest/cheapest way to get a tank cycled is to buy already cycled rock off another hobbyist who is exiting the hobby. Keep on the prowl here and on kijiji, sometimes find it $2 to $3 per pound. If you do this, may just be able to add fish within a week. If trying to do it from scratch using dry / newly imported live rock, will be aprox 3 - 8 weeks before you can get algae under control (depends on your snail/hermits spending)... very touch and go on corals/fish in the mean time with some easy beginner species (softies, shrooms, tough fish etc).
sorry for the ramble, about to go to bed.