BRAND NEW TO THIS!

clk666 · #1 05-15-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Have you ever kept freshwater fish before?

Did the tank come with anything?

You need:

1. reverse osmosis (RO) water. You can buy it or you can buy a unit that makes it out of tap water.
2. salt mix
3. some kind of filter, probably a little hang-on-the-back (HOB) skimmer.
4. some live rock (LR)
5. some substrate like aragonite sand (or some people keep a bare bottom tank)
6. lights (did the tank come with lights?)
7. thermometer, hydrometer, heater, test kits for testing various things.
8. fish food and some basic medicine.
9. a few new clean plastic buckets.
10. a sturdy stand to hold the tank. It will weigh 250-300 pounds.
11. maybe an extra pump or powerhead to move the water around in the tank.

Am I forgetting anything folks?

oh great! lol thats not much more that i need then. the tank cme with a stand, t5 lights and he threw in the sand that was in the tank when he had this tank set up a couple months ago. i went and bought some instant ocean because it was what he reccomended. i do have about 3 freshwater tanks going right now so i have a couple extra filters heaters and theremometers. I also asked a couple people about which water to use and they said that if i were to go buy those huge juggs of water that would work too, true or false?

Oxymoron · #2 05-16-2011, 04:38 PM

True. Most purified water shops sell RO and Mineral water.
Make sure you buy the RO.
In the near future you want to purchase a RODI system as they are much more cost effective and will be able to also deionize your water making it that last little bit purer.
We have many great vendors on this site that can hook you up.

clk666 · #3 05-19-2011, 02:48 AM

great! so ive got all my tests got all my water additives and am getting this all started. i havent bought a protein skimmer but am using other things until i get one...i added A piece of live rock but my specific gravity is about 1.18 and im having some troubles making it rise some more! any suggestions?

whatcaneyedo · #4 05-19-2011, 03:08 AM

Consider buying a good book on the subject. While they may not be up to the minute with new products and methods, a good book will give you a solid foundation to start with. Thus saving you from making some costly beginner mistakes and asking a lot of unnecessary questions. Not that questions aren't good...

Here are some great recommendations: Building a Proper Marine Aquarium Library by Steven Pro. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/tips/index.php I've personally read 7 out of 9 of these.