10 gallon nano help...

[Sea_Dawg]

Well as for my worrying about asking too much for christmas, my parents told me not to worry much about it. So asking for more stuff probably wont be much of a problem, I just wasn't sure so I wanted to keep options open. And if I don't get somethings for christmas I have my own money to spend.

I am still not sure what filter to add to my list but I think I might be going toward the AC 70 filter. Would I still be able to fit a heater in there?
Will I have to cut back on the flow of the filter, if I get the AC 70 or 110?
Well thanks for that link for the light, that will help!

Yes it is a very expensive hobby, but its a good one too, haha.

:mrgreen:

 

[skipm]

I have one of the 70s (the old 300) that I was able to try it on and the 100 watt Stealth was a bit too long. The 25 or 50 watt looks like it would be fine going diagonally on the back of the filter though. Here is a link to the Stealths and you will note that the 25 and 50s are 1 3/4" shorter than the 100 which is what I had without taking one out of a tank: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 004+113767 . One of these in a 50 watt would also work: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 004+113767 . Or one of these: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 004+113767 which is one of the titaniums someone alredy mentioned. You could also go with one of these in the mini compact: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_hea ... sp?CartId= . Here is another: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... ct=HD11102 . I hope I am not overwhelming you with links but just want you to be able to make an informed decision on which heater to use. I personally have used all with the exception of the titanium. The flowrate on the Aquaclear filters can be somewhat adjusted on the filter itself by moving the intake tube to the side, you will see what I am talking about when you see the filter. It is a feature that I think was mainly put on them for feeding to reduce flow to keep the filter from eating all of the food. If you want even less flow I have read that all of the impellars for the Aquaclears are interchangeable so you could use a smaller impellar to reduce flow too. There have been some threads in the DIY section of some boards that tell you how to cut the impellar down but I have never tried that so I can't recommend it to you. HTH and sorry for so many links. Skip

 

[Sea_Dawg]

I am going to ask for the titanium one, but also put the visitherm on as second option. I like how the titanium heater is really small, its only 5 3/4 inches long! Also I am also going to ask for the AC 70 so I can hide the heater, and so I always have the option of building a refugium later.

I have another question about during the cycle, When can I start adding corals, crabs, and other inverts?

Also all of the links were really helpfull, thanks.

 

[Sea_Dawg]

What hydrometer do you recomend, instand ocean or the coralife deep 6?

 

[incysor]

Skip the hydrometer. They're pretty unreliable.

Refractometers are much more accurate and they're relatively cheap now.

http://www.marinedepot.com/homepage.asp

On they're front page they list one for $43.

Some of the folks have moved to jbj's digilab from the refractometers and seem to like them.

This seems like a good price on them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Digi-Reef-Temperatu ... dZViewItem

B

 

[Sea_Dawg]

I really would like a refractometer but they cost more then I want to spend. I know that the hydrometers are not as reliable, but like I said I don't have much money for better stuff. So does anyone know of the best/most reliable hydrometer?

 

[NemoNano]

Hi Sea_Dawg,

I have a coralife hydrometer it seems to work fine. I want to get a Refractometers or one of those cool Digi Reef Temperature Salinity Specific Gravity Meter.

Eric

 

[Sea_Dawg]

Thanks I will be going with the coralife hydrometer for now.

 

[skipm]

You don't want to add any livestock including cleaners to your tank until after it has cycled. During cycling you want to keep your lights off and you also want the tank placed out of direct sunlight. Its fine to run a skimmer if you are going to use one and you will want something for circulation (i.e. powerheads, hang on filter, etc.). Its okay to add some cleaners once the cycle is completed. I would wait a couple more weeks on coral and fish. Fish I would add one at a time if possible so the tank can stabilize with the increased bioload before another addition is made. Corals and inverts do not have a large impact on bioload so you can add them in small groups. HTH, Skip

 

[Sea_Dawg]

I think my list of things I need is done, what do you guys think...

1. 50 watt Titanium Heater

2. Test Kits…

*FasTest Multi-Master Test Kits - Includes Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite and pH
*FasTest Alkalinity Test Kits
*SeaTest Calcium Test Kits

3. Light WITH Black Mounting Legs

4. Aqua Clear 70 Hang-On-Back Power Filter

5. Zoo Med Micro Pump 104

6. Coralife Deep Six Hydrometer

Do you think there is anything that I need to add?
Also for when I set the tank up do I need to use RO water?
I have well water and a water filter do you think this will be efficient, or is it even possible to set up a healthy reef without RO?
What are some good books for beginners?

Thanks in advance,
Ben

 

[skipm]

Here is a book that I really like and would highly recommend: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bookse ... 7025&itm=1 . You may be able to find it cheaper someplace else, I just wanted a link for you.
Well water can be a tricky thing. Has anyone ever had a chemical analysis done on your water? Well water can be high in nitrates and phosphates along with quite a few other undesireable elements that are not harmful to us but can cause algae blooms in an aquarium. Some LFS sell RO water so you don't necessarily have to buy an RO unit.
I am sure you have it on a list someplace but I didn't see any saltmix on your list. A thermometer is another good idea, this one is small and has worked well in my tanks: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 004+113769 . Pretty inexpensive if you are already making an order from them. Keep the questions coming, Skip

 

[skipm]

I remember that you mentioned getting the Aquaclear 70 and possibly modding it into a refugium later, here is a link from the DIY section about making the modification: http://www.nanotank.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1307 .

 

[skipm]

I found the book here quite a bit cheaper. http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.m ... ct_Count=6

 

[Sea_Dawg]

Thanks for all the links, I am not sure about that thermometer because I will probably just get one from my LFS. Also I will look into getting the book thanks.

Any one else have anything to say about using filtered well water instead of RO?

 

[Sea_Dawg]

I got some of things I wanted for this tank for christmas, but I didn't get everything. One of things I didn't get was test kits. I was wondering if I could just not buy testkits for ammonia, nitrate, nitrate, and pH and have my lfs test for me instead. This would help save me some extra money that I could use for buying LR, ect.

Also about how long will it take for the fastest testkits to expire?

 

[skipm]

You could do that but I would still get a pH test kit if it were me. Depending on your LFS you may be able to get them to take care of your testing during your cycle but there is sometimes a charge for this service, you may want to check with your LFS. As a rule of thimb test kits have about a one year shelf life once they are opened, some kits also have an expiration date on them somewhere. HTH, Skip

PS I am glad that you are getting closer to getting your tank up and running.

 

[Sea_Dawg]

What type of salt should I get?

 

[reefman23]

I use oceanic and find that it disolves very rapidly...i only use it for emergencies thou, like when I am out of saltwater or need to raise my SG for some reason. I have heard very good things about Reef Crystals too.

 

[skipm]

I think you will find most reefers use Instant Ocean but if you were to take a poll you would find about all of the brands available are used. I use either Instant Ocean or Oceanic. I have also used Coralife and Reef Crystals. I haven't had any problems with any of them, some people claim that this brand is low in calcium and that brand has more trace elements, etc. try to find one of the major brands that is available in your area and stick with it. If you mix different brands and have problems you'll always try to blame whichever brand you used last. HTH, Skip

 

[sadielynn]

seadawg
I use instant ocean I had algae blooms with the oceanic salt mix. I have heard others say the same about oceanic
http://www.aquacraft.net/s9910.html


I am not sure how old this artical is and even if it is completly right just some food for thought. I am not sure if there are any new tests out because it is so expensive to run them.
also if you run a search you will find that there were several polls taken on what salt to use . Some cheat and use catalina salt water or nutri sea salt water :lol:
around our neck of the woods it runs 15 - 20 bucks for a 5 gallon jug or smaller (2.5 gallons) :mrgreen:
My opinion is to try one and see if you like the results and keep it . As reefman said the Oceanic does mix quicker but I tend to say that it has to mix over night to help airate it so I dont really need the instant disolve, I do run power heads in the mixing bin and airate for 24 hours before I bottle it , airateing it is good way to help keep the ph stable too.....I also run a powerhead for 1 hour before doing a water change ....hope this helps