New 60 gallon rimless tank, need lots of help

B

biiiju

Hi guys,
I am new to the hobby and I am buying a 60 gallon rimless tank from one of the members here to get started.
The tank comes with
Octopus 150 protein skimmer
20 gallon refugium, with sock, macro-algae, and live rock.
Quitone return pump
300 watt heater
4 bulb t-5 light with a 150 watt metel halide all on fixture
American DJ Model PC 100A
plus 40 pounds of live rock in the main tank
I am picking it up this weekend with some clownfish and coral
I was wondering if you guys have any tips for moving the tank. I am moving it 80 mile and the drive will be around 1 hour and 30 mins.
The tank look really nice and I am excited to get into the hobby.
If you guys have any tips on moving the tank or getting started in the hobby I would greatly appreciated any of the advice you can give me!!!
Thanks for your help!!!
 
Try to keep 50% of the water in clean jugs to refill the tank. Put the rock without corals in a cooler with just a wet towel over it. Go to a local fish store and for some bags; offer to buy them. Bag the fish. They travel better in bags.
 
If the tank has any live sand in it, just throw it out. It'll be a lot better if you just buy new sand. The old sand will be stirred up during the process, causing an ammonia spike.
 
Thanks for the advice!!! I will keep that stuff in mind
do you guys have any recommendations on what kind of fish i can keep? any to avoid (Is this tank big enough to keep any tangs?)
How could I keep in there?
 
Get it moved and wait at least 3 weeks before you put anything new in. Get the basic water test kit to start: ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. These will Help you determine when the tank is ready for new fish.
 
Have lots of spare salt water pre-mixed at the right temperature and as closely matched at the location where you will be moving the tank. You always end up spilling some or needing more than you think.
 
I have mixed about 30 gallons of water and I am hoping that I can save about 30 gallons of old water.
Do you guys have any tips on how to bring the refugium over? I think that it has some seaweed and rocks in it. Its a 20 gallon should I empty it into a bucket and keep the whole thing empty?
Thanks for the help!!!
 
I would actually mix up a another 20 gallons to be on the safe side. Save the macroalgae in a bag with a little water, and keep the rock covered in a wet towel as suggested. I would try to save the water from the sump and fuge if it is clean to keep your pods and other little critters.
 
Right now I have 45 gallons of salt water mixed I am hoping to save about 15 to 30 gallons of old tank water because there is a 20 gallon sump(I will need to fill that half way too). I am getting a percula with the tank and some (hardy) coral too. I am hoping to keep them in a bucket for a day until everything is settled down. I am going to let this tank cycle for about a month and then start adding fish and coral.

This tank comes a 4 bulb t5 and a 150 w metal halide and it is 21 inches tall.
What kind of coral could I grow in the tank? I am probably going to be dosing Kalk in with the fresh top off water.

I am so excited to get this tank!!!! I haven't been in the hobby for 4 years and this is my first tank since then. [smilie=rofl.gif]
I really want this tank to be a success and I appreciate all the advice you guys are giving me
 
I don't know if you'd want to keep the coral in a bucket as you need to have some water circulation, temperature regulation, and I would think some filtration to keep things like ammonia from building up. You might be better off just putting them in the tank once you get it setup even if the water is cloudy from new sand and other things. At least you'd have the equipment like the heater, pumps, and filtration from the live rock to help.

How old are the bulbs and what type? If they are of unknown age you may want to go ahead and replace them.
 
He is giving me new t5s with the tank.
what is a good brand of t5 and metal halide bulbs. I am on a budget and the tank is about 36 inches long.
I have seen some new coralife 36in atinics for $15 are they a good brand?
 
When I was running T5's, I had the ATI bulbs. They cost a bit more but I heard they were one of the best out there. There are places online that run specials on bulbs sometimes. You might want to do a search online for T5 bulb reviews or post a separate thread in the equipment section to get feedback from those who have used different types of T5 bulbs over the years. I just haven't used them long enough to really be able to provide good first hand experience.

I don't run metal halides so unfortunately I can't really recommend one.
 
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