Very new newbie

[brose]

Hey everyone,
I've just recently been mesmerized by the saltwater aquarium. I decided I'm willing to give my time and money (hopefully not too much) to this awesome-looking hobby. I have done a nice share of freshwater aquarium keeping, but with minimal knowledge on how the aquarium works. However, I have absolutely zero knowledge on the saltwater aquarium. I've been researching and reading info all over this site and others for the past week and a half with every bit of free time away from work that I have. I'm starting to learn a small piece of this complex hobby. I've just ordered a 24 gallon aquapod with the 2x32w lights. My one LFS here is decent but overpriced I think. Anyway, with my little knowledge, what are the basic additions I would need to start this tank? I'm interested in the fish with live rock tank. I found a link with some things by alexfromsatx but are all these necessary and is there more needed? Here's the list of things he said:

----> http://www.nanotank.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2970
I just started with Salt water tanks and I have a 12 Gallon Aquapod. I've found that it is not much more diffucult than fresh water, just a lot more detail and precision with SW. This is a List of what I have in it:

12 Gallon Aquapod - $150.00 (after tax) - LFS close to Apt.
16 Lbs Live Rock - $55.00 - LFS 25 min. away
15 Lbs of Live sand - $10.00 - LFS 25 Min. away
14 Gallons of SW - $14.00 - LFS 25 Min. Away
10 Gallons RO/DI Water - $2.50 - LFS close to Apt.
2 7Gallon Jugs for SW - $19.00 - Wal Mart
2 5 Gallon Jugs for RO/DI- $14.00 - LFS close to Apt.
1 Maxi-jet 1200 - $26.00 - Ebay
1 Coral Life Thermometer - $7.00 - PetsMArt
1 Magna Float algea Scraper - $10.00 - LFS 25 Min. Away
1 75 Watt Titanium heater - $20.00 - Petsmart
2 Upgraded PC fans - $10.00 - Computer parts Store
1 SW Master Test Kit - $25.00 - LFS close to Apt.
10 ft of Plastic tubing for Syphoning(sp?) - $3.00 - Home Depot
1 Alkalinity Test Kit - $9.00 - LFS Close to Apt.
1 Calcium Test Kit - $8.00 - LFS close to Apt.
Materials for DIY Stand - $35.00 - Home Depot
Refractometer - $38.00 - Ebay
! thing of Chemi Pure - 9.00 - LFS 15 min. Away
Patience while cycling- PRICELESS!!!

<-----
What should I change/add/subtract? For example, do I need the Maxi-jet 1200 pump or does the aquapod 24 supply enough flow? Does the heater have to be titanium? Does this aquarium need the the PC fans? Would the fans need to run nonstop or should I rig an on/off switch of some kind? Is this a good beginning guide if anyone's read it: http://www.bluebin.com/article_beginningsaltwater.shtml? Final question, is patience absolutely necessary? J/k I plan on having it. Anyway, I'm sure I have more questions to come and these are the most important I think.
You guys are awesome and I'm excited to become a member of this site and the reef community.
Thanks alot

 

[AlexfromSATX]

:welcome Funny you should copy that list it's mine! I found that in my AP12 the temps were too hot as it is, so the fans running in the hood is a must! I even used a fan to blow across the top of the tank to keep it cool. As for the PC fans I would recommend to get a fan that pulls more heat the stock one that I had in mine barely did anything, so I put in the PC fan and added another PC fan since there was a space for it. Again this is for my 12 not sure how the 24 is set-up fan wise. Also the 1200 is propably a lot in a 12 but in a 24 should be good, but not required. As for good beginner guides, anything you can read in a book on the forums or a reputable site is great information. As you go you will start to see the different ways to do things. Also if you have any questions just post them on here and everyone is great about helping!

 

[AlexfromSATX]

also if you have any idea of what you want to keep it can give you an idea of what type of stuff to add to your AP.

 

[TimSchmidt]

That list sounds good but you won't really need any other tests besides the master SW test kit. The titanium heater is a good idea as something could knock a rock over and if it broke the standard glass heater you would be in a bit of trouble. Doctors Foster and Smith have some Azoo titanium heaters at a good price. Just make sure to pick fish that can live together without hurting each other. Hope that helps.

Tim

 

[skipm]

:welcome to nanotank.

 

[brose]

Tim, thanks for the tip on the heater. I will go with titanium after all. I'll also get you guys' advice when I decide to pick fish, which I understand will be at least about a month away.

Alex, are you really happy with your AP? I'd love to see some pics if you have some. One big question I had for you is on your list, you listed both buckets and gallons of saltwater and RO/DI water. I'm guessing I should buy the premixed saltwater from the LFS? Is it okay to mix my own from scratch and Instant Ocean salt? If so, what kind of water should I use?

Also, does anyone know of a link to a nice, cheap stand that will hold the aquapod 24? Or even a nice link to some DIY plans?

Thanks for the helpful and quick replies

 

[TimSchmidt]

You don't have to buy premixed water, just what ever is more convient/cost effective for you. The RO/DI is for top off from evaporation. If you do mix your own saltwater put the water in a container with a powerhead and let the water mix for a day, then add the salt and let the powerhead mix it for a day, then you can use the saltwater. (others have just slapped the salt in water without any mixing and it has turned out great for them, but the mixing help with oxygen and PH levels) No clue on the stand but you could build a 2x4 box and cover it with plywood and then stain it any color you want.

Tim

 

[AlexfromSATX]

I am very Happy with my AP, I actually just set it up as a coral & Invert tank now so no fish are in it. As for a Stand I used Cinder(sp?) blocks to make a stand for my AP. Probably going to do some painting on the front of the blocks though. As soon as I get my cam working again, I'll post some pics of my tanks. I also have a 20L which has my fish and more corals in it. Also like tim said, you can mix your own salt, I just prefer to buy it from my LFS because it's on my way home from work, and it's one less thing that I have to worry about doing.

 

[EDGRAY]

IMO why bother to mix and this and that just get the mix water at your LFS is only like 30 -60 cents per gallon same as the RO :lol: :lol: and well about the heater they say titanium is the better but i like the plastic one better :thumbup: ..... also patience stock slow a thing per week and you willl be at good start....(after your cycle for sure :lol: )

 

[brandon]

patience is key, priceless like you said!
just watch the tank and see stuff come out from the rocks...
its pretty interested (just something to do to waste time)

good experiences come from sw :mrgreen:

 

[brose]

Some other q's i thought of...

If I decide to mix my own water, can i just use tap water plus the salt?
Would I need to buy another powerhead just for mixing?
Can I store premixed water and RO/DI water? If so, for how long?
When my water is first set up in my tank and I begin cycling, how often should I test the water for all the elements? Daily?
Also, it sounds like everyone does weekly 10% water changes. If you have a protein skimmer, do you still have to change water weekly?

Thanks again

 

[sadielynn]

I would not recommend tap water to many things that they add to it like chlorine , and flouride , I use distilled from walmart purple cap purple label .60 cents a gallon . I would recommend a power head for mixing . I airate the water 24 hours and then add the salt and mix the salt 24 hours I bottle it up and use when needed as long as there is a cap on it to keep it from contaminations and in a dark area so that algae doesnt grow you can use it when ever .... just remember to reairate it before use ..... You wont need to test daily but would be of benifit to do so weekly .Even with a skimmer you should be doing water changes as a skimmer can remove trace elements that are vital to your tank.......I do a gallon on wed and a gallon on sat for my seven gallon :mrgreen:

 

[brose]

Does anyone know what kind of corals and zoas I can grow in my 24 gallon aquapod with the standard lighting it comes with? What kind should I stay away from getting? It's a 1x32w SunPaq Dual Daylight & 1x32w SunPaq Dual Actinic. Thanks for the help.