New Member and New Hobbiest

[Ocean Singer]

hi, I'm 15 and I decided to start up this new hobby, right now i have a empty 20 gallon freshwater, a 55 gallon freshwater (which I am going to convert to salt water), a empty 10 gallon, and a 25 fresh water, I am planning on making the 55 my only reef tank, I need help on how to start, I live in Hawaii so that complicates a lot on getting the coral, but I would be glad to get some help on a tank set-up

[bigfoot]

well you came to the right place! WELCOME TO CORAL FORUM! A list huh...well your gonna need some substrate i use crushed coral but you can use argonite sand or crushed coral its an awsome ph buffer! Good test kits amm ph nitrites and nitrates a hydrometer to measure your salinity the purest water you can get a hold of (reverse osmosis,deionized) lighting allways needs to be upgraded too. A good salt mix i prefer instant ocean if i cant get that i go for kents salt.a good heater and maybe a chiller, a protien skimmer and lots of patience start slowly cycle your tank and make sure to run a hospital tank to quarentine new buys and finds and you should NEVER medicate your display tank! Once again WELCOME!!!!!!!! Ask anything you want we are her to help!

[BoldAsBrass]

Welcome to Coral Forum

[FishinInTheDark]

Welcome!

Poke around our articles section. There are also some great books out there. You might rent one or two. My best advice is to research, study, and then maybe read a little more!

We'll be glad to help you every step of the way, and feel free to post any questions you have as you go.

Glad you found us!

[Ocean Singer]

can I use ocean water and sand from the ocean? (it's clean)

[BoldAsBrass]

I have fresh ocean water trucked in each month. I get it from the incoming tide. I would not reco you to get your own water, unless you are close to an inlet and can get the incoming tide that varies in time each day.

[BoldAsBrass]

The fresh ocean water changes gives my corals fresh plankton each month. I still continue to feed them store bought plankton, but I prefer the fresh. As for the sand, forget about it. Too many possible pollutants. I would get "live sand" from a store.

[Ocean Singer]

thanks, I'll just get salt from the waikiki aquarium, I just remembered I can do that :P I'm pretty sure they have nice salt water, and I will get 'live sand' then, by the way, does anyone know any good books for starters?

[BoldAsBrass]

A Practical Guide to Corals for the Reef Aquarium by Ed Puterbaugh and Eric Borneman. Hope that is of help

[MikeS]

Welcome to the forum!

Mike

[Ocean Singer]

thanks, you've all been a great help

[Sugar Magnolia]

Welcome to CF!

Here's a complied list of excellent reference books. Most libraries will carry a few of these titles, or you purchase your own copy. I find that I am looking at at least one of my reference books every day.

http://www.coralforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=5263

[Condiman]

Welcome to CF!! You may also want to check out some of these articles to help you setup your system. http://coralforum.com/kb.php?mode=cat&cat=1