new guy in need of help

[ivegotcrabs]

I live in douglasville and wanted to know if any one close by would mind coming over to show me a few tricks of the trade.
I have alot of questions about salt water tank and would also like to get to know some of arc members

thanks will

 

[william1]

I dont live that close but I love talking about tanks. You can always give me a call just PM me for the number. I like the name to as well.

 

[coolsurf]

I'm not too far away but I am sort of limited on time available. I'll try to help you with anything you may have a question on and maybe we can get together sometime.

 

[brianjfinn]

http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html">http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html</a>

[IMG]http://www.reefcentral.com/">http://www.reefcentral.com/</a>

[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43292">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43292</a>

[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=73">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=73</a>


Spend some time (and a good amount of time) perusing these links. They will help a whole lot. You could spend a few hours with someone and get a small amount of basic information, but the truth is, many of us (and by many, I really mean all) that have been in the hobby for years are still learning and still need to go back and review the basics from time to time.

Not saying that spending time with someone is useless, but if you at least look over some of the information here, it will give you an idea of what questions to ask. And believe me, the people on this site are invaluable.

 

[ivegotcrabs]

thanks guys i need all the help i can get
i have a 125
120lb live sand
100lb live rock
black clown
4 stripe damsel
cleaner shrimp
2 mithrax crabs
1 green emarald crab
blue linkia star
1turbo snail
i want to add alot more fish but i know it takes time

 

[ivegotcrabs]

thanks for the links i will definitly check those out

 

[drnecropolis]

Im always here and not to far away...

 

[ivegotcrabs]

could some one tell me what size and how many power heads i need

 

[smallblock]

prob 3 or 4 its according to how much you wanna spend, Maxi jets are the cheapest I think several sponsers have 1200 maxis for like 26 dollars is the tank reef ready?

 

[drnecropolis]

Powerheads depends on your budget.. Could spend $800 and only have 2 or spend $100 and have 2 or 3..

 

[brianjfinn]

IVEgotCRABS;531655 wrote: thanks guys i need all the help i can get
i have a 125
120lb live sand
100lb live rock
black clown
4 stripe damsel
cleaner shrimp
2 mithrax crabs
1 green emarald crab
blue linkia star
1turbo snail
i want to add alot more fish but i know it takes time

With a 125 you have a pretty good list of options as far as fish go. Are you planning on keeping any coral in the future, or will this be a fish-only tank?

A lot people, me included, really like the Hydor Koralia powerheads. They're not the cheapest, but they're definitely not the most expensive. I'd love to have a couple Vortecs, but can't justify spending $200 or more on a propeller and motor. The Koralia's give you a good mix of quality and price, in my opinion. I think others would agree.

By the way, could you post an equipment list (type of lighting, whether you have a sump or not, type of protein skimmer, etc.) and give us an idea of your general maintenance routines? This will help us identify some areas we might be able to help.

 

[drnecropolis]

Your more than welcome to shoot me a pm and we can arange a time to get together and talk tanks if ya want.. We love company.. They taste good on Rye bread..

 

[tgray3]

There's plenty of people here on the west side to help you out, although maybe not today with the BBQ's and stuff going on. If you need some set up help let me know. I work nights but if i can get over there I'd be happy to help.

 

[ivegotcrabs]

brianjfinn;531678 wrote: With a 125 you have a pretty good list of options as far as fish go. Are you planning on keeping any coral in the future, or will this be a fish-only tank?

A lot people, me included, really like the Hydor Koralia powerheads. They're not the cheapest, but they're definitely not the most expensive. I'd love to have a couple Vortecs, but can't justify spending $200 or more on a propeller and motor. The Koralia's give you a good mix of quality and price, in my opinion. I think others would agree.

By the way, could you post an equipment list (type of lighting, whether you have a sump or not, type of protein skimmer, etc.) and give us an idea of your general maintenance routines? This will help us identify some areas we might be able to help.

I just ordered 2 36in aquaticlife t5 ho link lights
2 ehiem canasters 80 and 60
seaclone 100 p skimmer
2 cheap heaters
cheap petco small power head

 

[ivegotcrabs]

btw all i want right now is a fowlr tank
maybe corals in the near future
i have 2 kids and one on the way they get most of my time

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Can I ask why you ordered two Eheim Canister filters? I'm guessing the tank is not reef ready meaning it's not drilled for overflow. Do you have an enclosed stand? If so, I'd go with an overflow (JennM has one for $10!) down to a wet/dry (aka sump) where you can stash other equipment.

 

[brianjfinn]

IVEgotCRABS;531708 wrote: I just ordered 2 36in aquaticlife t5 ho link lights
2 ehiem canasters 80 and 60
seaclone 100 p skimmer
2 cheap heaters
cheap petco small power head

Just keep in mind that the cheaper equipment will be more likely to fail on you. I completely understand trying to save money, but you don't want to throw away the money you spent on your livestock if your heaters get stuck on and nuke your tank. I'm sure the powerheads will be ok, but they may not last as long. You might need a bigger skimmer depending on the livestock load. It's either that or do more frequent water changes.

Do you have any test kits? I'd go buy a couple Salifert test kits. API is cheaper, but I've never had nitrates register on an API kit, even though I knew for a fact they were elevated. The fish experts will have to chime in here, but I think the main compound you'd need to test for would be nitrate. Not sure about others.

Your canister filters should be ok with a fish only tank, but, like others said before, a sump (even a small one) is really the way to go.

 

[brianjfinn]

assault;531746 wrote: **** westsiders!!!

+1

 

[brianjfinn]

IVEgotCRABS;531709 wrote: btw all i want right now is a fowlr tank
maybe corals in the near future
i have 2 kids and one on the way they get most of my time

If you plan on doing corals, you would definitely need to upgrade the canister filters. Also plan on much more expensive lighting and skimming. Actually, come to think of it, you'd really need to upgrade all of your equipment.

 

[texhorns98]

Assault;531746 wrote: **** Westsiders!!!

Bring it, man...you guys down South are WEAK!!!:yuk: