Hello from Southern CA

[dmoney]

Hey guys I just wanted to do a quick hello into this coral forum site. I'm actually going to be new to this SW tank and I would appreciate all the help you folks can give me. I'm getting my 135 gallon this Friday and I plan on running it with a ViaAqua 750 right now and have LR and LS to cycle it. Should I add some powerheads and a skimmer right away? I'm also looking into one of thos DYI wet/dry filter. Any thoughts on these topics would help me a lot.

[Zack]

Hey
:welcome: to coral forum!!! I hope to be able to help you while your here.

I would really look into egtting powerheads and a skimmer if you use a wetdry. the skimmer issue is whole debate, my feelings are that if you can run a good size refugium with macro alage, sakimmers are not needed, however bioload is another thing to consider.

As for the LR/LS check out the sponsor forum of liverocks.com as they offer discounts to members as you might have seen when you regestered.

As with the wetdry, i think it all depends on what you plan to do, fish only or a reef?

HTH
Zack

[crazy_reefing]

http://home.comcast.net/~rkkrivera/welcdivr.gif

[dmoney]

For the best bang for you buck powerhead, which do you guys recommend? What do you guys know about southdown sand or whatever it is called that i often see people talk about? LR and LS are pretty pricey, I didn't know what to expect when they said SW tanks are expensive.

[MikeS]

Hi there, Welcome to the forum!

I like maxijet powerheads, pretty good value IMO.

Southdown sand is an aragonite sand, sold at home depot as sandbox play sand. It's good stuuf, but may not be available in your area.

Mike

[dmoney]

Oh okay, thanks Mike for the tip...I just actually purchased a maxijet 1200 online so I should be putting that up next week. So would you say two weeks is good enough for the LS and LR to cycle until I can add some damselfish or can I add them a little earlier?

[MikeS]

marine tanks take around 3-6 weeks to cycle...you can monitor this process with water tests...your ammonia will rise, peak, and fall, nitrite will do the same....once both levels are zero, you can add livestock. Note on damsels...they are very agressive fish, and will limit what you can put in the tank later...
Mike

[dmoney]

Yah, i heard that those little guys put up a fight. What would you recommend to put in there after 3 weeks? I was thinking I can put some turbo snails and a couple of peppermint shrimp. The reason why i was going to put damsels was that I heard they were hardy fish and can withstand the cycling. Do you also think I can get away w/out a skimmer for at least a month when I get my funds together?

[MikeS]

Yah, i heard that those little guys put up a fight. What would you recommend to put in there after 3 weeks? I was thinking I can put some turbo snails and a couple of peppermint shrimp. The reason why i was going to put damsels was that I heard they were hardy fish and can withstand the cycling.

I wouldn't recommend adding any livestock at all during your tank cycle. Your live rock (I'm assuming cured live rock) will provide plenty of bioload for the cycle. I would not add any livestock at all until both your ammonia and nitrite levels reach zero. This may take longer than 3 weeks....maybe up to 6-8 weeks. If you don't have a test kit for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, you'll need to get one before you start your tank. That way you can monitor the progress of the cycle, and also make sure your water is ok afterward as you add new livestock. Once you do begin adding livestock, take your time and add them slowly, to give your newly established tank time to adjust to the new bioload. As for livestock selection, that is a matter of personal prefference. There are a few things to keep in mind, however, such as compatibilty with other fish and invertebrates, reef safe fish ( I'm assuming you will have a reef eventually) ect. Once you have some fish in mind, you can do some research to see if they fit in with the grand scheme of your new tank....

Do you also think I can get away w/out a skimmer for at least a month when I get my funds together?

The use of skimmers during breakin is a debateable subject. My feelings are that you will want to avoid skimming, carbon and water changes during your breakin cycle. Whether or not you choose to skim during breakin is up to you...either way will not harm your tank IMO. I would recommend however that you have a skimmer in place before adding any livestock to your cycled tank. Also, reguarding your first post, you'll definantely want to have your powerheads installed the first day there is water in your tank.

The one key to success (or at least avoiding failure :-D ) in this hobby is paitence...take your time, do lots of research. If it means you have to put off setting up the tank for a month or two so you can get the necessary equipment, then it is worth waiting in terms of your tank's long term health and success.

Mike