YeetPopper Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Hello, my name is Jarrett! I've been thinking about getting a saltwater fish tank for the past few months. I've been observing what kidwithatank does to his 70 gallon, and trying to take in as much advice as possible. So for Christmas, I asked for a 100 gallon tank, with a sump. I know very little about saltwater tanks, and would appreciate any advice you're willing to give to me. I know I have a lot to learn and it will be a while before any organisms will be placed in the tank, but I'm trying to get as much information as possible before the tank arrives. Things such as... "How do I put water in the tank?" "How do I filter the water when I put it in?" "What do I put in the water?" "What size sump should I get?" "What is the best protein skimmer I can get?" More questions will arise as I get answers, and I'll be checking this thread hourly so I can acknowledge the answers and ask more. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Have you tested you tap water? That's where I would start. 5 gallon buckets are everyone's friend, they will alow you to drop acclumation for fish and corals, when your not useing it for transporting water. I also use the buckets to mix saltwater before adding the water to the aquarium. A lot of people use them to also take water out of their aquarium by useing a hose as a syphon or use pump to move water from say the sump into the bucket or out of a windo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeetPopper Posted December 20, 2014 Author Share Posted December 20, 2014 Have you tested you tap water? That's where I would start. 5 gallon buckets are everyone's friend, they will alow you to drop acclumation for fish and corals, when your not useing it for transporting water. I also use the buckets to mix saltwater before adding the water to the aquarium. A lot of people use them to also take water out of their aquarium by useing a hose as a syphon or use pump to move water from say the sump into the bucket or out of a windo. I have not tested my tap water, but I would like to know how. And okay I'll be sure to mix the saltwater before putting it into the tank. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Two books I would highly recommend are Forest Rohwer's "Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas" and Vol III of Dlebeek and Sprung's "Reef Aquarium" series (the first two volumes are good also but the third volume updates and greatly expands info on setup and filters). There are many different ways to run aquariums and many animals are found in mutually exclusive habitats so you need to research your animals. There is an abundance of locally grown stuff and in many cases the aquarists are more than happy to explain their systems. Here are some research articles I would also suggest reading to get a better understanding of what some things we use do and don't do Granulated Carbon parts 1 & 2http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/1/aafeature1http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/aafeature1Total Organic Carbon in Aquariahttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/8/aafeature3http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/9/aafeature2Protein Skimate Analysishttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/aafeatureProtein Skimmer Performancehttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/aafeature2http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeatureBacterial Counts in Aquaria vs Reefshttp://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/3/aafeature And here's a filterless, skimmerless system I maintain with just tapwater so you can see a lot of equipment is not necessary: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeetPopper Posted December 20, 2014 Author Share Posted December 20, 2014 Two books I would highly recommend are Forest Rohwer's "Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas" and Vol III of Dlebeek and Sprung's "Reef Aquarium" series (the first two volumes are good also but the third volume updates and greatly expands info on setup and filters). There are many different ways to run aquariums and many animals are found in mutually exclusive habitats so you need to research your animals. There is an abundance of locally grown stuff and in many cases the aquarists are more than happy to explain their systems. Here are some research articles I would also suggest reading to get a better understanding of what some things we use do and don't do Granulated Carbon parts 1 & 2 http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/1/aafeature1 http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/aafeature1 Total Organic Carbon in Aquaria http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/8/aafeature3 http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/9/aafeature2 Protein Skimate Analysis http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/aafeature Protein Skimmer Performance http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/1/aafeature2 http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature Bacterial Counts in Aquaria vs Reefs http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/3/aafeature And here's a filterless, skimmerless system I maintain with just tapwater so you can see a lot of equipment is not necessary: Thanks for all the information!!!!!!!! Your tank is amazing too. I'll be reading through all of this for the next few hours haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronbherring Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Hey, I'm 14 too. It's a really awesome hobby. If u need anything ever just PM me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammons.david Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Hello, my name is Jarrett! I've been thinking about getting a saltwater fish tank for the past few months. I've been observing what kidwithatank does to his 70 gallon, and trying to take in as much advice as possible. So for Christmas, I asked for a 100 gallon tank, with a sump. I know very little about saltwater tanks, and would appreciate any advice you're willing to give to me. I know I have a lot to learn and it will be a while before any organisms will be placed in the tank, but I'm trying to get as much information as possible before the tank arrives. Things such as... "How do I put water in the tank?" "How do I filter the water when I put it in?" "What do I put in the water?" "What size sump should I get?" "What is the best protein skimmer I can get?" More questions will arise as I get answers, and I'll be checking this thread hourly so I can acknowledge the answers and ask more. Thanks! Hi yeet popper, I will try to answer your questions about what to put in the water, and how to put water in the tank. After my tank was established and I had a little bit of coral, for the corals I really only dosed Purple tech, calcium, iodine, zooplankton, strontium and molybdenum. But if you just have fish in the beginning you really only need to feed them and monitor your nitrate, ph, and salinity. For the 2nd question, evaporation will lower your water level by evaporating freshwater out of your tank, so you just really need to add more freshwater to your tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeetPopper Posted December 20, 2014 Author Share Posted December 20, 2014 Hey, I'm 14 too. It's a really awesome hobby. If u need anything ever just PM me Cool! I'll be sure to message you when I have a dire question! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeetPopper Posted December 20, 2014 Author Share Posted December 20, 2014 Hello, my name is Jarrett! I've been thinking about getting a saltwater fish tank for the past few months. I've been observing what kidwithatank does to his 70 gallon, and trying to take in as much advice as possible. So for Christmas, I asked for a 100 gallon tank, with a sump. I know very little about saltwater tanks, and would appreciate any advice you're willing to give to me. I know I have a lot to learn and it will be a while before any organisms will be placed in the tank, but I'm trying to get as much information as possible before the tank arrives. Things such as... "How do I put water in the tank?" "How do I filter the water when I put it in?" "What do I put in the water?" "What size sump should I get?" "What is the best protein skimmer I can get?" More questions will arise as I get answers, and I'll be checking this thread hourly so I can acknowledge the answers and ask more. Thanks! Hi yeet popper, I will try to answer your questions about what to put in the water, and how to put water in the tank. After my tank was established and I had a little bit of coral, for the corals I really only dosed Purple tech, calcium, iodine, zooplankton, strontium and molybdenum. But if you just have fish in the beginning you really only need to feed them and monitor your nitrate, ph, and salinity. For the 2nd question, evaporation will lower your water level by evaporating freshwater out of your tank, so you just really need to add more freshwater to your tank. Thanks David, so it's okay to use buckets to dump the mixed salt water or should I pour in freshwater then add salt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammons.david Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Whenever you add saltwater to your tank, always mix it up (in a bucket) before adding to the tank. Yeet Popper!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeetPopper Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Also, what do you guys think about RO/DI water? Should I use a RO/DI unit or use tap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reburn Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 You need to be using RODI to start with for sure. Have you considered buying premixed water? Most LFS (local fish stores) have fresh salt water ready to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeetPopper Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 You need to be using RODI to start with for sure. Have you considered buying premixed water? Most LFS (local fish stores) have fresh salt water ready to go. Okay thanks! I've been looking into buying premixed water. What brands do you recommend? I don't want to buy premixed water if the I can get better quality water by doing it myself. And I may or may not have time to go buy the water when I need it. (I do not have a car). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reburn Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 For the record this is the Austin reef club. I am not aware of any members in magnolia and I am not aware of any LFS in magnolia. So with that being said. The most common method to make salt water is to get a bucket of salt. I use Red Sea. Lots of members use instant ocean. Then you need an RODI system and to set it up and make RODI water then mix in the salt to a certain ppt or sg. Your going to be out 125 minimum for a RODI system and 50ish for a bucket of salt and then your water storage containers, plumbing parts, pumps and heaters. You can get 300 plus into trying to make your own water pretty quick. Most LFS that do salt water fish and corals make water to sell to customers for a small fee. You will really need to evaluate your cash flow and not having a way to go get water when you need it. I'm sure there is another way to do it and I'm sure another member will chime in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeetPopper Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 For the record this is the Austin reef club. I am not aware of any members in magnolia and I am not aware of any LFS in magnolia. So with that being said. The most common method to make salt water is to get a bucket of salt. I use Red Sea. Lots of members use instant ocean. Then you need an RODI system and to set it up and make RODI water then mix in the salt to a certain ppt or sg. Your going to be out 125 minimum for a RODI system and 50ish for a bucket of salt and then your water storage containers, plumbing parts, pumps and heaters. You can get 300 plus into trying to make your own water pretty quick. Most LFS that do salt water fish and corals make water to sell to customers for a small fee. You will really need to evaluate your cash flow and not having a way to go get water when you need it. I'm sure there is another way to do it and I'm sure another member will chime in. Thanks, I'll look into the premixed water, I have been told that it is a lot cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nori4dori Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Premixed water is not cheap. But what in this hobby is cheap? If you can't afford a Rodi system at this time you can consider buying water from the glacier systems that they have at most hebs. You get 5 gallons for a buck. Get yourself a few 5 gallon containers. It will be a workout! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeetPopper Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Premixed water is not cheap. But what in this hobby is cheap? If you can't afford a Rodi system at this time you can consider buying water from the glacier systems that they have at most hebs. You get 5 gallons for a buck. Get yourself a few 5 gallon containers. It will be a workout! That's a good idea haha! I think I'm going to go with the RO/DI system, even though it is not the cheapest option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenver Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 In my case, the first thing I did was get an ro/di system, I just didn't see myself carrying buckets without getting frustrated and wanting to stop, I still think it was the best decision Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolt Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 If you do decide to purchase an RODI system, its worth checking whether your area has chloramines in the water. You can find that on the website for the water supplier usually. Some RODI systems remove chloramines, some don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nvrEnuf Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 IMO ro/di system is a must! imagine you come home at night (LFS is closed) after being away from the tank for a week to find a dead fish. Need water change STAT and having no water. No thank you! I LOVE my 75GPD 5 stage BRS RO/DI unit!! My entire system depends on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeetPopper Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Premixed water is not cheap. But what in this hobby is cheap? If you can't afford a Rodi system at this time you can consider buying water from the glacier systems that they have at most hebs. You get 5 gallons for a buck. Get yourself a few 5 gallon containers. It will be a workout! That's a good idea haha! I think I'm going to go with the RO/DI system, even though it is not the cheapest option. Yeah I'm pretty convinced about the RO/DI System Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeetPopper Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 In my case, the first thing I did was get an ro/di system, I just didn't see myself carrying buckets without getting frustrated and wanting to stop, I still think it was the best decision Yeah, I don't see myself carrying buckets either haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeetPopper Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 IMO ro/di system is a must! imagine you come home at night (LFS is closed) after being away from the tank for a week to find a dead fish. Need water change STAT and having no water. No thank you! I LOVE my 75GPD 5 stage BRS RO/DI unit!! My entire system depends on it You speak my mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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