more basic nano questions

[sahara910]

Mama mia the tank arrived and he didnt order a stand. So I spent Friday and Saturday trying to find one before Christmas.
$125 later one of the local stores Optimum I think in Marietta ordered one for me to fit the 24gal No cabinet though its the S stand.

I was under the impression that these "nearly self sufficient" nano cubes came with what they needed...

But Am I correct do I need a Pump & Heater that I add to the tank? Or is that included in a 24 gal deluxe jbj nano cube?

These questions are so basic its silly!!!
Im sorry.

OK besides that. When reading all these articles and posts Im wondering is there anything I have to assume would not work in a nano cube that would in a self set up tank?

I know I will need a salt water test kit.. are they all created equally?

Can you use tap water and add the salt? Do you have to use distilled or some other form of specific water as well? DO you need to mix in a bucket before adding to a tank or can you add & mix together

Do you put the sand in after the initial water???

I guess basically I need to know what do I need for the VERY initial set up. Just want to put water in and turn it on then thought we would add sand and rock next week... would that be the best way?

I feel like such a NEWbie Idiota!!!

Fur & Feathers Im a master but ask me about Fins and Im clueless. But I REALLy want to learn. help me obi wan...

 

[cgill311]

Welcome to the wonderful world of saltwater reef aquariums. PS - If you haven't noticed already, this is an expensive hobby, so be prepared!

Since you are completely new, do some searching through the older threads on this website. I think your questions have all been answered on here at some point.

I highly suggest reading A LOT before you do anything. If you have questions after that, post them here. There's a book that Dawgdude always recommends that you should buy that will explain everything for you.

Give me a minute and I'll dig up some old threads for you.

 

[cgill311]

The book is The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Its available on Amazon and educating yourself a bit more will help you alot in not wasting your money.

Go to the advanced search feature and type in "new tank setup" and search in titles only. There's a ton of info already on this site.

 

[stickx911]

water in first, for initial setup, you could mix in the tank (although not recommended I'm sure), but for water changes you'll need to prep outside the tank. I do not know about the heater as I've not used one of these before.

You'll want to pick up a refractometer to measure salt concentration (salinity). You can get one for like $40-50 online. Yes hydrometers are cheaper, but IMO in a tank that small the amount of accuracy you'll loose with a hydrometer could hurt you in the long run (livestock).

As for water quality test kits, you get what you pay for. I use mostly the cheap ones (API), but I do not keep anything too fragile.

I agree on the read up thing. Just pickup a $10 book from petsmart about starting up a saltwater tank. The book recommended above is likely a much better choice, but anything is better than nothing.

Good luck

 

[sahara910]

Thanks I initially posted here a couple weeks ago when I realized my son was getting this gift and everyone was very helpful. I have been searching around but I think I have been searching too specifically I will try titles only new tank setup Thanks I have a hard time figuring out what applies to a nano cube vs what applies to a tank

CGill311;261248 wrote: Welcome to the wonderful world of saltwater reef aquariums. PS - If you haven't noticed already, this is an expensive hobby, so be prepared!

Since you are completely new, do some searching through the older threads on this website. I think your questions have all been answered on here at some point.

I highly suggest reading A LOT before you do anything. If you have questions after that, post them here. There's a book that Dawgdude always recommends that you should buy that will explain everything for you.

Give me a minute and I'll dig up some old threads for you.

 

[sahara910]

OK this is specifically what the one we got comes with
Integrated 3-Stage Filtration
Discreetly hidden with a newly redesigned filter for better surface skimming. Provides maximum space for tank inhabitants. All models now include an output return nozzle for directional flow control. An adjustable 266 GPH submersible pump is included.
Mechanical - Sponge filter detritus and free floating paticulate matter.
Chemical - Activated Carbon bag removes dissolved organics and odor.
Biological - Ceramic Rings & Bioballs provide the ideal environment for beneficial bacteria FISH ONLY tanks.

So I am assuming this pump is ok. But we want Reef not F.O.

This is where I get confused....

 

[stickx911]

the bio balls are not necessarily recommended for reefs as they tend to produce nitrates which are bad for particularly the inverts and corals. You can opt to add a protein skimmer that I think replaces this part (but that's a guess). The skimmer is another additional cost, but not that much for the smaller tanks.

 

[weaglereefer]

Instead of bio balls, use some live rock rubble. Just take a bit of live rock, hit it with a hammer/chisel til you have bio-ball sized pieces.

 

[sahara910]

Thanks guys I think we are going to do a FOWLR rather than a reef. I feel way to inexperienced to do that now. Eventionally we would want a sea anemone but not now.

SO Wed I will also pick up a heater and hydrometer (will replace with refractometer next month when I have some more funds) salt and a bucket.
and live sand

I cant buy live rock until the tank is already set up right? I imagine it cant contain the micro life within it in whatever it comes in for 24 hours + right?

 

[stickx911]

for a fish only, I wouldn't see the refractometer as being as important. Hydrometers are known to cause problems (reason #1 for my tank's first mini-crash), but get your lfs to verify its accuracy (and/or "calibrate it"), and it can hold you over for a bit at least.

Live rock is part of the cycling process, there will be life on it, but enough die-off to cause a cycle in your system that would harm/kill fish.

Reef is not really more difficult, just more expensive.

 

[sahara910]

so I need to have a tank w salt water ready when I actually get the l. rock right? Im assuming yes but ya know I dont want to assume anything.
And you said above
Hydrometers are known to cause problems (reason #1 for my tank's first mini-crash), but get your lfs to verify its accuracy (and/or "calibrate it"), and it can hold you over for a bit at least.
does that mean I should not even get a hydrometer?

 

[nukieuk]

Hi,

If you setting up your new tank from scratch you can add your live rock as you fill the tank. It will help with the cycling of the tank. If your not that up on mixing your own saltwater most of the sponsors on this site sell saltwater already mixed its more costly than mixing your own but will give you good water to start with.

Most people here use what is called RO/DI water this is made by using an RO system. Which can be purchased either online or via your local fish store. Its a worthwhile investment in the long run. If you dont want to pay for premixed saltwater you can always just buy RO water from either your local fish store or from publix they usually have a machine in the front that produces RO water for around 30 cents a gallon. On no account use tapwater as it has way to much junk in it that will cause issues with your tank.

Given the size of your tank I would suggest buying the water and mixing yourself so you get a feel for it. Most salt mixes have good instructions on how much salt is needed per gallon. You can mix it in the tank on your first fill up but I would advise you do it in buckets to get used to making it.

Most salt mixs list the gravity at 75 degrees f, so you will want to use your heater to heat the water.

Add a little water around 3-4 gallons then add your sand, then fill about half way then add your live rock as this will displace a certain amount of water, dont do a me fill your first tank up add the live rock and end up with water allover the floor

Hope this helps

Regards

Mark

 

[stickx911]

sahara910;261460 wrote: so I need to have a tank w salt water ready when I actually get the l. rock right? Im assuming yes but ya know I dont want to assume anything.
And you said above
Hydrometers are known to cause problems (reason #1 for my tank's first mini-crash), but get your lfs to verify its accuracy (and/or "calibrate it"), and it can hold you over for a bit at least.
does that mean I should not even get a hydrometer?

I do not think it was worth the purchase. If I was not fighting to get the air bubbles out, I was still battling the fact that it was off by .003/.004 which in salinity is a reasonable difference. It was just a pain. Yes they're 1/4 the price, but a total PITA in my opinion.

I like the idea of just buying your first batch of water from your lfs. you only need 10 gallons or so (12 g tank right?). This way you can save yourself a headache while you save up for the other equipment while the tank cycles.

 

[sahara910]

I have a 24 gal. tank. But I do have a local Publix with a Glacier Water machine. I guess I would need to buy buckets to fill with there and mix at home.

Heres my dilemma if I get live rock will it be ok for 24 hours not in a tank? I will be shopping on Wed and not setting up the tank until Thurs morning. And no one will be open then

So I would need to mix the water and add the salt and sand and heater all at once... seems harsh for the live rock isnt it?

 

[cgill311]

I wouldn't recommend buying water from Publix. You need to use RO DI (reverse-osmosis de-ionized) fresh water to prepare your salt water. This is much different from purified drinking water. Drinking RODI is bad for your b/c it contains no minerals your body needs.

You have a few choices:
1) Buy an RO DI unit and make your own fresh water at home
2) Buy RO DI fresh water from your LFS (runs about $0.50/gal)
3) Buy premade salt water from your LFS (runs about $1/gal)

Regardless what you do, you should always have some fresh and salt water on hand. You need a refractometer to measure specific gravity. Although the premade salt water should be the correct SG, you should always check before using it. You also need to measure SG when doing top offs with RODI fresh water (water evaporates, salt remains).

You need some buckets or containers for the water. LFS sell water jugs. I went to Home Depot and bought some plastic 5G gas cans that worked fine.

Why not just go buy the water today? Put it in the tank with a heater and have it at the right temp and SG for when your rock arrives.

Did you buy cured or non-cured live rock? Either kind of rock will start a nitrogen cycle in your tank. You need to finish this cycle before adding fish/corals. Again, make sure you read about N2 cycling if you don't know.

 

[stickx911]

I have some 5g jugs you can have. not a fun drive though

 

[nukieuk]

The publix ro water last time i used a TDS on it was between 2-3 ppm which although not great is way better than tap water and even some stores.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

Ya, never use tap water... FYI: Kroger had TDS meters for sale pretty cheap.

 

[sahara910]

wait saltwater is only $1 a gallon at the LFS? Would that be something I still need a container

 

[sahara910]

Oh and the tank is a gift its in the box wrapped