Starting for the first time

Beermaster · #1 04-08-2005, 10:24 PM

Hi all, i am now ready to take the dive into SW keeping

I have kept FW for a few years and i want to take my hobby to the next step!

I have a 55 hagen tank, that i am about to fill with water and sand
now how long till i start putting Livestock into it

I purchaced a bunch of rocks and coral from Fish that i am picking up May Long so i figure a month of cycling sould be ok, but i could be wrong here

I have been reading myself stupid on this site and on RC

anything else i should get prepared for?

thx

lil_clownfish13 · #2 04-09-2005, 05:58 AM

i personally wouldnt go sticking a whole bunch of corals into a tank only cycled for a month-- danger stickers show up all over the place-- my best advice is to ease into the hobby-- its not something you can slam together....

give it some time to get used to the way water params change-- how ur equipment works before you get into corals very hardcore--

just my two cents

jws444 · #3 04-09-2005, 06:18 AM

I'd suggest to take your time and enjoy this time. The excitement of an empty tank about to be filled with water is cool moment because you're only limited by your imagination.

Now, to lay down the heavy hand....

Buying corals (even beginner softies) when your tank is still dry is taking a bit of a leap of faith. IMO, you still have lots of time to enjoy and learn with a tank of bare water. You'll see the mini cycles of algae and the water paramters change. You'll have time to figure out flow and even drain the tank to drill it because you've changed your mind.

As well as extra time for adding rock and aquascaping to perfection. All these little things will give you intimate knowledge and hindsight for any future problem solving. It's just really hard to do these things with livestock in the tank. Any move you do will affect them by the stress of moving them, or even having your hand in there more than you should. I remember when my tank was new, my hand was in my tank almost daily!

In the end, i think you'll do fine with all your reading. Just enjoy this moment because it only comes once!

danny zubot · #4 04-11-2005, 05:30 PM

Quote:

I purchaced a bunch of rocks and coral from Fish that i am picking up May Long so i figure a month of cycling sould be ok, but i could be wrong here

How much is a bunch of rocks?

Other members, keep in mind that moving a tank and setting up a new tank is a very similar process. In fact I'd say the only difference is the knowlege factor. I'll be moving my tank in a few weeks and only plan on taking about 25% of the water with me. Last time I moved it I didn't even have a cycle because of my live rock.

Beermaster, the live rock you get on May long in the right quantity will work in your favour if the tank isn't quite cycled. You should be safe as far as ammonia and nitrites are concerned, but I'd really recommend a water change before adding the corals just to be safe. The live rock will contain a lot of nitrifying bacteria to seed your tank. Do you have test kits and proper lighting for the corals you'll be getting?

I think you'll do fine if you do several small water changes and reading, over the next month after stocking your tank.

Beermaster · #5 04-11-2005, 07:40 PM

50lbs of Rock is what i am getting and yes i have my test kits already

I am going to be using 2 96w PCs for my lighting

1 12000k and 1 Actinc 36" plusi am in the process of getting my MH setup going as well, so i dont think my lighting is going to be a problem

danny zubot · #6 04-11-2005, 08:01 PM

50 lbs in a 55 gallon should be a good amount to start with. I think you should be fine.

OCDP · #7 05-18-2005, 06:48 PM

going to get all your stuff this weekend?

Beermaster · #8 05-19-2005, 06:14 AM

Yeserie, i am heading friday, and comming back monday!!!!!!

sooooo excited

rusty · #9 05-19-2005, 12:38 PM

Hey Mark when it comes to adding coral take it slow I didn't at first and I lost some very nice corals because I did not want to have a bare tank. After it cycles for a month maybe add some corals that are bullet proof like Xenia, or Green star polyps. I would wait at least 6 to 8 months before you jump into SPS its not worth loosing them

BCOrchidGuy · #10 05-19-2005, 05:17 PM

A lot of people will disagree with me but I've always had good luck with the so called Bagged Live sand. Carib Sea Arag Alive has been excellent for me in cycling a tank and having it get stable.

Doug