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Pet Forum / Aquaria / Marine Reef / July 2005Wife talked me into trying saltwater
I apologize for the number of questions...I'm just trying to cut through the marketing hype BEFORE I get started. Let me state up front, I DO plan to get a RO/DI unit. I realize many of the questions I have are subjective, but... First and foremost, what books are most suitable for a marine novice? Also, although I plan on a FOWLR system initially, I plan to buy equipment with a reef in mind...just in case. I just bought a 90 gallon Oceanic reef ready tank with an Oceanic sump wet/dry system. I need a pump for this...quiet, low electricity use, and durable. Any suggestions? Can/should a canister filter be used, as well? What about a fluidized bed? Is there a skimmer that's generally recognized as being preferred? I want to get lighting with the newer ballasts to reduce electricity consumption. Are the Coralife systems with the compact tubes still considered preferable? What other equipment do I need to plan on, such as a stray current probe, test kits, etc? Is there a preferred grade (grain size) of sand that is preferred? Is there a good, reasonable source of live rock members of this group tend to use? I realize shipping cost will be high, but I'm not impressed with the quality of what I've seen locally. I'm sure I have failed to ask many questions, but some good book recommendations will help immensely. I don't plan to keep notoriously aggressive fish, but I need basic books, a good fish atlas with requirements and compatibility, and probably a few for the more advanced stages. If you don't feel this thread will be of benefit to the group, you can email me directly at timcat@hotmail.com Regards, Tim First off you are asking the right questions before letting your LFS sell you a bunch of crap :-) >I apologize for the number of questions...I'm just trying to cut through the >marketing hype BEFORE I get started. >Let me state up front, I DO plan to get a RO/DI unit. You will be ahead of most newbies then. RODI will save you a bunch of headaches! >I realize many of the questions I have are subjective, but... >First and foremost, what books are most suitable for a marine novice? >Also, although I plan on a FOWLR system initially, I plan to buy equipment >with a reef in mind...just in case. Once you get into it you will want corals! >I just bought a 90 gallon Oceanic reef ready tank with an Oceanic sump >wet/dry system. I need a pump for this...quiet, low electricity use, and >durable. Any suggestions? Don't use the Wet/Dry system for a reef tank. The sump will be valuable though. >Can/should a canister filter be used, as well? > >What about a fluidized bed? NO >Is there a skimmer that's generally recognized as being preferred? Aqua C skimmers are very good but others will offer great suggestions also. >I want to get lighting with the newer ballasts to reduce electricity >consumption. Are the Coralife systems with the compact tubes still >considered preferable? Decide if you want Metal Halide -vs- Power Compact Fluorescent. There are much better for the same money in reference to CoraLife Lighting. I've always used PFO brand lighting setups. >What other equipment do I need to plan on, such as a stray current probe, >test kits, etc? Calicum, Ph, Alk, Ammonia, Nitrate kits. (for Ph a meter is preferred i.e. Pinpoint Ph Meter) is a good selection. for running and for cycling. (nitrite is also useful for cycling) >Is there a preferred grade (grain size) of sand that is preferred? >Is there a good, reasonable source of live rock members of this group tend >to use? I realize shipping cost will be high, but I'm not impressed with the >quality of what I've seen locally. Oothlitic (sp) sugar size grains. I like CaribSea Figi Pink. 3"-4" deep and get a couple pounds of Live Sand from your LFS to seed the sand bed. >I'm sure I have failed to ask many questions, but some good book >recommendations will help immensely. I don't plan to keep notoriously >aggressive fish, but I need basic books, a good fish atlas with requirements >and compatibility, and probably a few for the more advanced stages. >If you don't feel this thread will be of benefit to the group, you can email >me directly at timcat@hotmail.com Others will chime in on current reef books. >Regards, >Tim > >  SignatureRic Seyler Online Racing: RicSeyler GPL Handicap 6.35 ricseyler@SPAMgulf.net http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler remove –SPAM- from email address -------------------------------------- "Homer no function beer well without." - H.J. Simpson Thank you...I'm taking it all to heart. I didn't realize the wet/dry thing was such a no-no in the salt world...others echo your remarks (I read awhile looking for prior posts before posting my own). Tim > First off you are asking the right questions before letting your LFS sell > you a bunch of crap :-) [quoted text clipped - 69 lines] >>Regards, >>Tim As I'm doing my research, a few questions about live rock came up... 1) Don't any of the desirable critters that hitch a ride on the rock need to be fed during the curing cycle (I intend to put uncured rock in the tank and use it to help it cycle)? 2)What's the rule of thumb for determining the amount of sand and rock needed for a tank? 3) Is there a color preference for sand that you experienced folks like best for some reason? 4) With all the different "types" of live rock I'm seeing, can/should you mix varieties, or stick with just one...and if just one, what's the most desirable in the field? Thanks Again, Tim > First off you are asking the right questions before letting your LFS sell > you a bunch of crap :-) [quoted text clipped - 69 lines] >>Regards, >>Tim I would say to cure the rock even though it's a new tank. I used uncured rock in my new tank and quite frankly it left the tank dirty looking woth tons of unwanted rubble. When I had to tear down my reef and re-do it, the rock was well cured and the new setup looked MUCH cleaner and much nicer. Same thing happened to my reef buddy here in my town. He upgraded his tank to a bigger one and was much happier using the already cured rock. It also gave him a cleaner sleeker look and the sand bed wasn't as dirty. YMMV > As I'm doing my research, a few questions about live rock came up... > 1) Don't any of the desirable critters that hitch a ride on the rock need [quoted text clipped - 84 lines] >>>Regards, >>>Tim Interesting...Thanks! Tim >I would say to cure the rock even though it's a new tank. I used uncured >rock in my new tank and quite frankly it left the tank dirty looking woth [quoted text clipped - 94 lines] >>>>Regards, >>>>Tim My canned newbie response: I would highly recommend reading: Natural Reef Aquariums: Simplified Approaches to Creating Living Saltwater Microcosms by John Tullock This is the first book I loan to anyone thinking of a reef tank. CW >I apologize for the number of questions...I'm just trying to cut through >the marketing hype BEFORE I get started. [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > Regards, > Tim Thanks CW. I have seen that title advertised before, but couldn't find a local store that had a copy for me to look through. I like to look at a book before I blindly order it (more so if it is an expensive one)...I've been burned and disappointed too many times in the FW world. I'll now see if I can find a copy to buy. Thanks, Tim > My canned newbie response: > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] >> Regards, >> Tim $1 shipping: http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PRODUCT&PROD_ID=134046&cid=25608&fp=F http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4731&OVMKT=K3QPUMA 15VGJPI32VHS07EP4RS&ref=3312&subref=AA&GCID=C12188x003&ctt=60 http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?dest=9999999997&product_id=610076&sou rceid=0100000030660805302498 > Thanks CW. I have seen that title advertised before, but couldn't find a > local store that had a copy for me to look through. I like to look at a [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] >>> Regards, >>> Tim The book is now on order, along with "The New Marine Aquarium..." Tim > My canned newbie response: > [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] >> Regards, >> Tim > The book is now on order, along with "The New Marine Aquarium..." > [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] >>>Regards, >>>Tim Hi Tim, The best advice I can give to any newbie is to go to reef central: reefcentral.com and read, read, read, read. I like reefcentral for info instead of any book due to the updated nature of the Internet. It is a great resource so welcome to the hobby, and good luck. Kevin That was quick.. 8) Those will both be very helpful. I always advise that anyone read the Tullock book cover-cover before making the commitment to setup a saltwater system. It gives a clear picture of what you are getting in to. > The book is now on order, along with "The New Marine Aquarium..." > [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] >>> Regards, >>> Tim Here's a basic overview. http://www.melevsreef.com/overview.htm And reading my site will help quite a bit, I'd expect. You mentioned wet/dry. Here's an alternative. http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html The rest was covered by others, I believe. Most any book you want is available from Amazon.com Marc > I apologize for the number of questions...I'm just trying to cut through the > marketing hype BEFORE I get started. [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > Regards, > Tim SignaturePersonal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com Hi Marc! Your reply is just a WEE BIT too late! I have already been digging through your site, and you'll be receiving an order for a RODI system shortly. :) Tim > Here's a basic overview. http://www.melevsreef.com/overview.htm > [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] >> Regards, >> Tim Darn, I hate being late! ;) Keep reading. You are on the right track. Marc > Hi Marc! > Your reply is just a WEE BIT too late! I have already been digging [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] >>>Regards, >>>Tim SignaturePersonal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com Hi Timcat, I too am still researching but one thing I read (can't remember where) is that whatever system/setup you chose, do it the whole way through, avoid using different ideas from different setups to achieve the whole as that might be a disaster. Hope I make sense. > I apologize for the number of questions...I'm just trying to cut through the > marketing hype BEFORE I get started. [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > Regards, > Tim Being an ex-mechanic/NHRA & NASCAR racer, and now a computer engineer, that would tend to make sense to me...especially if ideas, techniques, and/or equipment were designed to function as part of a system. That's one of the hardest ideas to get through someone's head when they want to put the biggest carburetor or camshaft they can find in their daily ride. Change one thing, and it changes the way the system functions, for better or worse. Having said all that, I'll take your comments to heart. Quite frankly, that gotcha hadn't crossed my mind. It'll help me slow down. Thanks Again, Tim > Hi Timcat, I too am still researching but one thing I read (can't remember > where) is that whatever system/setup you chose, do it the whole way [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] >> Regards, >> Tim You summed it up quite nicely at the end by saying "it will help me slow down". The biggest mistake we ALL make/made when starting our reefs was not going slow and wanting everything to happen all at once. Add this, do that, buy this animal, etc ... Rushing only leads to the loss of life in the tank and that is quite disparaging. The absolute best practice in this hobby is patience and more patience and I think you're approaching this intelligently. Doing all the research and chatting with all the knowleable folks here is a great way to get started. In the long run you'll be greatly rewarded with a beautiful and stable reef system. BTW once you get your rock in and a few fish going, you'll be chomping at the bit for corals! I started with FOWLR in mind and before ya know it WHAM!!! Best wishes!! > Being an ex-mechanic/NHRA & NASCAR racer, and now a computer engineer, > that would tend to make sense to me...especially if ideas, techniques, [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] >>> Regards, >>> Tim LOL! Yeah, I know. I already want corals, but I'm intimidated enough to hopefully not bite off more that I can chew at first. Thanks for the compliments...now I don't feel like such a pest. Tim > You summed it up quite nicely at the end by saying "it will help me slow > down". The biggest mistake we ALL make/made when starting our reefs was [quoted text clipped - 69 lines] >>>> Regards, >>>> Tim |
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