I am new to the marine scene and need help !! BAD !!!!

[Blue300ZX]

Just as the title says..I am new and I need help...I have a bunch of questions...i did a lot of reading and started to set my tank up, and I am afraid I might have messed it up. Here is what i have...I have a 30 Gal with a Penguin 330 filter, 200 watt heater, and Crushed coral for the bottom...Did I go wrong with the coral or not ??? Like I said i have lots of questions, like...How long does it take for the water to clear up ? and How do I start the "cycle"? I have had people tell me to throw a raw shrimp in there. how does that work ??

PM me or IM me on AOL !!! My screen name is krimsonz28.

Thanks,
Blue300ZX

[gman0526]

Seems to me you're on the right track. Nothing wrong with crushed coral if it's already there, just keep in mind that it's going to need more TLC from you as far as maintenance goes. A good way of preventing problems with waste collcting on your CC is to really bump up the flow in the tank, be it by using powerheads or some sort of closed loop system, by doing this you keep as much detritus or waste in suspension so your mechanical filter can pick it up for you. Just keep asking any questions you might have, we're more than willing to help. :thumbsup:

[FishinInTheDark]

Do you plan to have a reef or fish-only setup? If you want a reef (or fish-only with live rock), buy around 30 pounds of live rock. You will be able to cycle the tank using the live rock alone. If you don't want LR and/or a reef, IMO a dead shrimp is THE BEST way to cycle a tank. As it begins to decompose, ammonia a released. The bacterial colonies will begin in reaction to the ammonia, and you will eventually have a cycled tank, and no innocent fish will have to needlessly suffer through this.

[newtofish]

Blue300zx, Most of us could rattle on for a long time. It would be better to ask a spefic question or even a general question to get an answer.

The shrimp is a great way to cycle a tank.

CC is fine I used it for a long time before switching to sand.

I believe there is a local club up in OKC. I think I remeber someone mentioning it. I will ask around. Find a local club and they will be one of your best resources. I know that my club in Dallas has saved my butt numerous times.

[bigfoot]

http://www.yardright.com/sand.htm this used to be the southdown sand alot of people use maybe you can find some locally since you in the south

[Blue300ZX]

Hey Thanks guys !!! I do have another question though... What type of lighting would be suitable for a FOWLR tank ? This is the one i am looking at... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12109&ref=3636&subref=AC&N=2004+113030 . Or do i not need to go that extensive ??? any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated.

Thanks Again Everyone !!!

[TranZ]

for a FOWLR tank you don't need a power compact. fish don't need lots of light . i suggest you save your money for a T5 or a MH lighting just in case you change you mind and gor for a reef tank ( which most people do, like me.)

[gman0526]

If you have no intentions of keeping corals later on then that will be fine. But if you beleive you might get the coral bug later I would invest in a Metal halide setup of some sort. They're not that expensive if you get a retrofit kit.

[Blue300ZX]

Hey thanks everyone...

Gman0526... Where can I get some of these retro kits...I found a couple of web sites but I cant seem to get them to load right.

[gman0526]

Try www.hellolights.com or www.petsupplyliquidator.com for some good deals.

[Blue300ZX]

Hey Thanks Gman... I do have one more STUPID Question though...How long will it take for my tank to clear up??? I have had it up and going for a little over a week now.