Newbie equipment setup question

[idleivey]

Ok so I've been doing freshwater for a while but wanted to start a nano tank and this is the equipment i have gathered so far:

5.5 gallon AGA
36 watt Coralife fixture
50watt heater
Some HOB filter I will mod into a refuge

I plan on getting:

submersible 10watt light for refuge
some nano powerhead (any recommendations?)
Sand
Live rock
Live rock rubble for refuge
Macro algae for refuge
Pre-mixed saltwater
hydrometer

So that should get me started and cycled, am I forgetting anything? I am planing on doing mushrooms and soft coral and down the road (6 months?)would like to add a single goby paired with a pistol shrimp. Are there any supplements I will need? Any equipment I am forgetting about? Thanks for taking a look.

 

[TimSchmidt]

:welcome to Nanotank.com!

Looks like you've done a bit of research. The koralia nano may get you the flow you will need with a single powerhead in a 5.5 gallon.

One thing I think that need be pointed out is since you will be using premixed salt water you need fresh top off water. Evaporation will take water out and leave the salt in the tank. I recommend RO/DI (especially for our smaller tanks), RO water will work well too, Distilled if you must, but please try to avoid facet water no matter the source [well, city, rain, etc] due to all the trace elements and so on.

Oh and a test kit. Most you can find do well, I use Seachem but there are better out there. I hear API are quick, easy to read, and fairly accurate.

Hydrometers are ok, but with the relative low cost for a refractometer I would suggest at least looking into find a refractometer. Maybe someone has one to sell, they are super fast and more accurate than a swing arm hydrometer.

 

[idleivey]

Cool tim ill add a refractometer to my shopping list.

Regarding RO water (reverse osmosis?) I read it can be purchased at the local grocery store, correct?

And then the pre-mixed salt water, is that a good idea? I wanted to keep things simple and it looks like I would need a 5 gallon bucket, heater and small powerhead to mix my own salt? Will i be better off in the long run that way? My LFS sells premixed water and I think it was 5 gallons for 12.95, is that a good price?

 

[KoNP]

Regarding RO water (reverse osmosis?) I read it can be purchased at the local grocery store, correct?

Nah, that's just distilled water. Still very usable but it'll cost you an arm and a leg.

And then the pre-mixed salt water, is that a good idea? I wanted to keep things simple and it looks like I would need a 5 gallon bucket, heater and small powerhead to mix my own salt? Will i be better off in the long run that way? My LFS sells premixed water and I think it was 5 gallons for 12.95, is that a good price?

Mix your own. 12.95/5 gal is a ripoff. If you mix your own you have greater control over the water parameters, salinity, etc. Plus it's cheaper at the end of the day. Just mix up a batch in a big bucket, like a prawn bucket, they're good for a few water changes.

Oh and a test kit. Most you can find do well, I use Seachem but there are better out there. I hear API are quick, easy to read, and fairly accurate.

+1. I use an API saltwater master test kit and it kicks ***edit***. Tells me what I want to know when I want to know it. I also plan on getting the API reef master test kit to test my phosphates and KH levels and what-have-you.

They're costly but essential, shop around. I got my saltwater test kit for $35 (Australian) which is about 10 bucks cheaper than what they are in some stores and 30 bucks cheaper than most stores.

 

[idleivey]

Thanks KoNP,

Last question i promise

Since mixing my own seems to be the way to go it looks like I will need an RO unit right?

Looks like they go for $80-100, any cheaper way around this or should I just bite the bullet and spend the cash.

 

[TimSchmidt]

Initial cost is high for a decent RO or RO/DI unit true. But during a single year you will get your money back and more. 12.95 for 5 gallons which may last 2-3 water changes and if you do a water change every week (I would in my opinion) then that is:

52 changes = $224.00 a year if you get 3 water changes per 12.95.

 

[ITSMANNY]

wow i buy mine for 5$ every 5 gallons i find it less of a hasle and easier 10 gallons should last u a good while eventually ill learn to mix it myself. Tim wouldnt a bucket of filtered water and a few drops of cycle do the trick? im not caught up yet with the nano lingo

 

[TimSchmidt]

For reefs "filtered" should mean RO or RO/DI water. If you are using something like a brita fitler then you are not getting a clean enough water source. If you can get it a dollar a gallon and you are willing then I say go for it. But 12.95 for 5 gallons is a bit steep.