Hey all, I have a 110g FW tank so I decided to start a small saltwater in a 30g tall I had laying around. I have a 50g penguin bio-wheel and a penguin 660 powerhead rated for 300 gph in the tank now. I believe I have the water right it is reading 1.02 and I am cycling it with live sand and 2lbs of live rock at the moment. Is there anything else i should do at the moment but watch the cycling. And also once that is done does anyone have a recommendation on animals
:Welcome)
I am new as well so not sure how much I can help, but I remember some of the newbie stuff more than the experienced guys (and gals) might.
Did you throw a table shrimp or something in to help the cycle along? Not needed but will speed it up some.
I think the recommended salinity is around 1.025 but I could be wrong. With regards to salinity/SG the swing arm hydrometer I was using was off by almost 0.005 so when I got my refractometer I found out my salinity was close to 1.03.
Hope this helps.
First and foremost - Welcome!! To the boards, the hobby and the addiction!!!
Salinity can vary depending on what you are going to keep, but should always be displayed to the thousandths place 1.022 - 1.025 is ideal for a SW tank. Corals will like it closer to the 1.025 level and fish will do well down to the 1.021 level.
with enough Live Rock there is no need for a HOB filter. Figure on a pound to 1.5 lbs per gallon depending on type of rock. if you are going to add more rock I would do it now before you finish your cycle. Most LS sell uncured LR which means there’s still die off on it, when you add this to your tank you are going to have another cycle - the amount of LR determines whether it’s a big cycle or a small cycle.
As far as tank inhabitants, I’d reccomend taking a look around and trying to determine what fish you would like, then we can offer a good stocking order for you. You don’t want a tank full of what WE like, you want a tank full of what YOU like.
You will probably want to consider an RODI unit to make filterd water. it will help in your FW tank as well. it really cuts down on algae growth and impurities in your aquarium water.
In the near future you may want to consider a protein skimmer as they are a great means of nutrient removal.
Hope that gets you started. Good luck and keep asking questions.
+1 on getting the rock landscaqpe done now. also never use damsels to cycle you will never get the buggers out…trust me…if you can get a few cups of live sand and live rock from a tank that has been up and running for a few months that is better. do research and ask questions it will make a smooth and streess free hobby. :Welcome)
I recommend penguins!!!
Oh wait…nevermind that won’t work…that must have come from the name of your powerhead and got stuck in my head.
As an FYI starting out with a smaller tank is usually harder with SW than with FW, although you’re already into keeping fish so you may be just fine. They are considered harder because smaller changes make bigger effects in small tanks, i.e. salinity swings, something you want to minimize as best you can.
+1 to getting your salinity readings at the .00x numbers, I run my tank at around 1.026. Craig (Cdangel0) covered this pretty good. Corals like it higher because that means there is more of the elements they need/want in the water. Either way STABILITY here is the key. I use the swingy arm things, don’t know how close/far off it is, but I keep it consistent.
You’ll need something to kick the cycle off unless your putting in uncured LR.
I’m not sure how well the bio wheels work, I have one but have never used it, I think your biological filtration is better done with LR (Live Rock).
Have you decided on what you want to keep in the tank yet? Reef, Fish Only w/ Live Rock (FOWLR)? Once you make that decision you can figure out the rest. If you want to be safe, plan for a reef tank in the beginning.