New with a lot of questions

[aggieMEDIC]

howdy,

I have been keeping fish for a few years nothing bigger than a 20g. and for my anniversary my wife got me a 55g tank, that one is set up freshwater. while looking for the "theme" if you will (i went with chiclids)i headed up to Dallas North. there i was introduced to the Nanocube absolutely amazed with it. so what did my wife do? she got together with some family and we got the 24 gallon for our birthday. right now i am on a VERY short budget baby is on the way, etc. I have a stock 24g Nanocube I have added a powerhead rated for a 8-10g tank that i got on clearance. right now i have to wait a bit for the LR (rent is due), I have the water and LS. What else (other than a heater) is necessary equipment wise? I am also looking for some VERY inexpensive LR any ideas as to where i can find some , i figure 20lbs would be plenty.

any info you can give me would be great. THanks to txvoodoo for informing me about this group, met her at petland she was very helpful.

 

[Kitty]

Lights! That would help tremendously. Depending on where you are located, someone could give you a cup of sand to help the cycle along.

But the absolute MUST HAVE - information! Check out this site, Marc's website - all you can, before getting started. It will save you a ton of money and dead fish.

 

[albert7753]

Just take it slow is the best advice I rec'd on this site. You'll save yourself alot of money and headaches. To start find someone in your area that will give you a cup of sand from an established tank. I'd be happy to help but I am in Mesquite unless your in my area of town I would be happy to help you out.

There are plenty of deals you can find on the for sale forum including Live Rock and fish. But his is only a suggestion totally up to you. I would sign up to be a member there are plenty of people on here that would be happy to start you of with a piece of easy to care for coral.

As for your equipment needs just figure out what you want to keep in the tank then we can help you choose your lights and ect....

Good luck and welcome to our obsession......

 

[taliesin]

I know that there are site's out there that have LR for inexpensive prices, but you have to buy in 30 lb bulk...

But I agree, take it slowly and you will have more enjoyment than headaches.

Thanks,
Jerry

 

[DalaiTom]

@aggieMEDIC wrote:

You might consider getting some cheap base rock and then seed it with a few pieces of live rock

 

[aggieMEDIC]

Thanks for all the advice, i am hoping to have a reef tank, i have a couple ideas of what i want in there My wife says we "HAVE" to have a clown. and i would like some kind of shrimp, but mainly a reef tank.

How are the lights on the nano does anyone have any experience with them?

last question for this post: what number should i be seeing when i test the water before i start to put anything in there? obviously i want ammonia, nitrites and nitrates as close to zero as possible, and i know the range for salinity, but what else?

Thanks

 

[DalaiTom]

@aggieMEDIC wrote:

Depends on what corals you plan on keeping in your reef. Your lights should be adequate for most soft corals. Some of the hardier SPS might do OK if you keep them at the top of the tank.

@aggieMEDIC wrote:

PH should be around 8.2
Also since you have a Nanocube, be sure to watch your temperature swings. The water can heat rapidly in a cube once the lights are on. If you can keep the temps between 78 and 82 with that tank, then you're probably doing pretty good.

 

[Cassie]

My boyfriend and I learned on a 12 gallon nano and I found it an enjoyable, somewhat less intimidating, way to learn how to run a saltwater tank.

We left our lights stock, and just have softies in the tank. If you are on a budget you could do the same and still have an impressive set up.

As far as live rock goes you may just want to keep an eye on the "for sale" forum on this site- people often sell small amounts of rock and you may be able to get it significantly cheaper than at a store. You may end up getting it a bit slower that way but slow is good when you are learning the hobby. We spent months just watching our live rock in the beginning and all the fun life that springs up on it. (It's been a over year, we have other things in the tank, and we still just stare at the rock!)

You should consider becoming a member. You will get discounts at a bunch of fish stores in the area and be able to access cool parts of the site where members only trading and selling occurs (usually at lower prices than the general area- often people share frags for free)

Regardless you will find everyone here helpful and encouraging. If you've got any questions---> ask - Everyone here loves to hear people asking questions because it means you are doing your research and being a responsible reefer. Good luck starting out!

 

[aggieMEDIC]

What is an acceptable level for nitrates? i know i am looking for ammonia and nitrite to drop and nitrate to go up. but at what point does it become dangerous??

once it gets to a point how do i bring it down.

 

[Nessachelle]

Best way to lower Nitrates is through water changes but I believe running carbon can help also.
In my reef tank my nitrates stay around 20ppm which in my opinion is way to high for a reef but I just can't seem to bring them down. In a fish only tank with would probably be acceptable but I don't think you would want them any higher than that.
For my reef I am shooting for around 5ppm or less but I think I am still a long way off from that.

 

[bluewater]

Read! read till your eye bleed. Join this club. Go to Melevs reef, go to hidden treasures, and feast your eyes upon wonderful and marvelous things to come, But right now, Patience is king, get you some rock,sand and a cup of sand from one of the members. Cycle the tank until the numbers are in parameter. Its gonna look nasty with algae and other gunk,but you have to get the good bacteria going. If i would have found this club three months sooner, I would be no less than 1500.00 ahead. This club and its members have saved my donkey more than once. You can always count on members close to you in emergency situations or help and advice. That being said, If you join, Ill guarantee you a free frag from my tank worth more than the 15.00 membership fee.