Possibly starting first ever small FOWLR SW tank and looking for info

globaldesigns · #1 12-13-2010, 10:14 PM

Firstly, welcome to Canreef and the the fun realm of salt!

Here are my thoughts to your questions:

1.) Buying from a member would save you some money. Either way, from the store or not, you will have a cycle. Depending if the rock was cycled already, you can still have a smaller cycle as their could be death during transport. If you are using new sand, then most difinately you would have a larger cycle.

2.) Adding both, will mean one cycle... If you do sand, then cycle, but then add rock, you will have some sort of a cycle again. If both are from an existing systems, then the cycle can be minimal.

3.) Once the cycle has ended, based on tests, you could add inverts right away to start cleanup.

4.) Alot of salt, alot of different prices.

5.) Look for complete fixtures, used if you want to save money. The fixture is one of the most important things. I personally recommend Metal Halide, but alot of people have great success with T5HO. Do your research here, buy depending on what you want to try and keep.

6.) Not much more, I guess people keep telling me to keep it simple, so that is what I will tell you.

7.) already posted, so no reply

8.) BEWARE!!! Very addictive Hobby, do at your own risk!!!

Have fun!!!

Doug · #2 12-13-2010, 10:40 PM

Welcome to Canreef.

I,m going to move the thread to the general reef forum for you. Should get more response there.

intarsiabox · #3 12-14-2010, 12:14 AM

If you want to go PC lighting they have the screw in type 50/50 bulbs or you could go with a small LED fixture. Either one should be good for a 6g tank without overheating the water and will easily keep soft corals and zoanthids. My soft corals have always seemed to grow like weeds under PC lighting. Good luck and have fun!

CGY_Betta_Guy · #4 12-14-2010, 12:56 AM

Thanks all for the welcome... I have been lurking on here for a few months and only just decided to start posting.

@Magma Thanks... that is a good start... still dont know what a cheato is but I assume its not a cheesy snack.

@cale262 Whatever gave you that idea?

(Sump isnt quite done yet but should be very soon.... )

@globaldesigns Thank you for the info. Yes I can imagine the SW side is as addictive as the FW side of things has been. Sounds like there is a bit more to learn for SW though. Should be an interesting challenge.

@doug Thanks for the move. I was looking for local sources for supplies but definitely could use everyone's input to start.

@intarsiabox cale262 has it correct.. this is a Fluval Edge that I have been modifying with some info and guidance from him. I will probably go with the MR16 LED bulbs which output a decent white and will also have LED strip of blue lights. I have also got a socket that I can mount in the hood for the 50/50 bulb. Just thought I might eventually need to look for a better option in case those arent quite good enough. I have seen other examples of SW Edge tanks with the PC light mods.

CGY_Betta_Guy · #5 12-15-2010, 06:20 PM

What kind of LS should I be looking for and where can I pick it up locally in Calgary? Think I need much to cover the bottom of 6G tank? Should I also think about putting some with LR in my sump and would that require lighting the sump? My sump is basically done so I am starting to look for supplies etc and still need to hunt for some small nice looking chunks of LR. I measured it out last night and I have a total water volume of approx 10G ... maybe slightly less to account for sand, rock and enough space for water to drain to in case of power failure.

reefwars · #6 12-15-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CGY_Betta_Guy

What kind of LS should I be looking for and where can I pick it up locally in Calgary? Think I need much to cover the bottom of 6G tank? Should I also think about putting some with LR in my sump and would that require lighting the sump? My sump is basically done so I am starting to look for supplies etc and still need to hunt for some small nice looking chunks of LR. I measured it out last night and I have a total water volume of approx 10G ... maybe slightly less to account for sand, rock and enough space for water to drain to in case of power failure.

you wouldnt need much sand and if you post an ad you can get some for free on here i guarantee it , you will just have to rinse it very well. you would only need around 5lbs and ideally around a 1-2" sandbed but you can go more if you like. buy a few pounds of rock right out of someones tank and transfer it home in water the less time it spends in transport or being taken out of water the less dieoff you will have and the shorter cycle you will get.
you can always add small amounts of liverock to your tank later without a cycle if there has been do dieoff

cheers

CGY_Betta_Guy · #7 12-15-2010, 09:11 PM

When you say rinse it very well... does that require using salt water? and wouldnt that just get rid of any living creatures/bacteria in the sand? guessing its a stir it up in the bucket and dump the floatin stuff out situation?

I was looking at Ocean Direct and their line of Live Sand... kinda odd that it says it contains bacteria when its in a sealed bag for who knows how long... or is it similar to fresh water where they have "bacteria boosters" that are questionable on if they work or not?

Also... thinking of getting a koralia nano... any opinions on this vs a different brand of power head? Do I need a grounding probe for something this small?

My thread title is misleading now since I think the SW tank is pretty much a go once I get all my equipment

I am makin my list and hopin someone will check it twice... (and give me suggestions and guidance)
LS
LR ( depending if I find a nice looking shaped chunk or 2)
Salt
Marine Test Kit
hydrometer or refractometer
Powerhead (koralia nano seems to be popular)
grounding probe?