New 55 Gallon Saltwater Setup (Clear Water)

[Musbtr1pin]

What's up guys and gals... I just changed over my Cichlid tank of 9 years to a Saltwater setup.. Just looking to go Live rock and Fish for now.. I just mixed the water and the salt and it mixed extremely well. I used argonate??? for the sand bottom I believe is what it's called. I rinsed the sand and now my water is cloudy as crap.. Can I use my water polisher filter on this bad boy and let it clean itself, or should I just let my filter do it's normal work?

[reeferbill]

Hi Musbtr1pin ; You sure can polish it up because you are just beginning your cycle . How are you cycling the tank with damsels or dead piece of shrimp to decompose to start the biological bacteria developing? Their are starter bacteria cultures to speed up the process. Good Luck and keep us posted!

[Musbtr1pin]

Hi Musbtr1pin ; You sure can polish it up because you are just beginning your cycle . How are you cycling the tank with damsels or dead piece of shrimp to decompose to start the biological bacteria developing? Their are starter bacteria cultures to speed up the process. Good Luck and keep us posted!

Dead shrimp or damsels? Please give me some more info, as I probably have none of those. Give me your advice if you have time, I would greatly appreciate it!

[Original Fin]

He's referring to an ammonia source, which is needed for cycling and continual biofiltration.

Live fish of course produce ammonia , so once the tank is established, that's your source, but to get you through the initial cycle, the kindest way (for all fish concerned) is called a fishless cycle. In most cases, live rock will have a certain amount of die off when you first add it to your tank, and that is usually a sufficient ammonia source to get you through the cycle. If, however; your rock is exceptionally well cured (like straight out of a long established tank) or conversely has very little life in it (like dry/base rock), you can also add ammonia yourself by "feeding" the fallow tank with raw coctail shrimp. As they decompose, they produce ammonia.

Damsels are particularly hardy fish, and it used to be common practice to use one to cycle the tank. Now that we know of better ways, this older method is discouraged.

[reeferbill]

Hi Musbtr1pin ; Leebca has written a Sticky called ; SETTING UP A FOWLR , this will answer most of your questions about the cycle and testing of water perameters. Happy Reefing!!

[reeferbill]

Its me again ReeferBill ; The article is in the Saltwater(Fish-Only)Aquariums Section named Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium. Happy Cycling!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[leebca]

Cloudiness is normal at the setup stage. Let is all settle. Avoid additives. Follow the guidelines:
Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

[Musbtr1pin]

I will go with Damsels for the time being to help along with the cycle. When I am ready to add rock, can I buy some live rock and then buy the rest in dry rock and mix the two? I read up on the FOWLR setup, but it's a lot to process and a little guidance goes a long ways

[Original Fin]

Please reconsider. For one, you're poisoning the fish by doing that. The other problem is, Damsels are super aggressive, and even harder to catch in an aquascaped aquarium with rocks. Trust me, I made that mistake myself. You won't be able to keep anything besides damsels till you're able to remove it.

Live rock is really all you need anyway. You can buy 20% live and the rest dry. The live will seed the dry, and you'll save some $$.

[Musbtr1pin]

Please reconsider. For one, you're poisoning the fish by doing that. The other problem is, Damsels are super aggressive, and even harder to catch in an aquascaped aquarium with rocks. Trust me, I made that mistake myself. You won't be able to keep anything besides damsels till you're able to remove it.

Live rock is really all you need anyway. You can buy 20% live and the rest dry. The live will seed the dry, and you'll save some $$.

Where do you suggest I go? I am looking at a website right now www.liverockranch.com and im looking at the premium rock. 75 lbs of it.. Now, what do you recommend for rock and how many lbs per gallon.. I don't want to have to get into really expensive lights for the time being... But I want some great color and as well.. Any suggestions?

[Musbtr1pin]

Ok, I will take your word on that.. My other question is where is the best place to buy rock and what kind? I want to stay away from an expensive lights for the time being. I am looking at www.liverockranch.com and was thinking about 75 lbs of the premium rock? What are your thoughts and where and what would you do?

[Musbtr1pin]

What about 75 lbs of Premium rock from liverockranch dot com.??? What do you recommend and where from? I need some vibrant and colorful rock, that's going to be full of goodies! I also want to try and stay away from the expensive lighting for the time being.. Can I get away with standard lights with a FOWLR?

[Original Fin]

IDK anything about that etailer, sorry. Be careful about what you wish for though. Diverse creepy crawly Live rock is great, but you have to be careful with some of the aquacultured stuff as many of them contain unwanted and destructive hitchhikers such as crabs, mantis shrimp, Aiptasia, and majanos to name a few. It pays to do some research and ask around for sure.

[Musbtr1pin]

IDK anything about that etailer, sorry. Be careful about what you wish for though. Diverse creepy crawly Live rock is great, but you have to be careful with some of the aquacultured stuff as many of them contain unwanted and destructive hitchhikers such as crabs, mantis shrimp, Aiptasia, and majanos to name a few. It pays to do some research and ask around for sure.

Do you have rock in your tank, and where did you get it.. That's what I need to know. I need to start cycling this beast.. ASAP

[Original Fin]

I would do differently if I had to do it over, but I got ripped off for about 30 lbs from my local Pet Extreme at $8 lb. Quality was ok though...nice and porous, interesting shapes, and quite a bit of life...some die off too, but thats ok. Then I got another 30 lbs from a small independent local start up pet store. The owner was breaking down his personal 600 gal system, so the Tonga rock was well cured, and completely purple with coraline. It also had losts of small purple feather dusters...anyway, he sold that for $3 lb.

Next time, I will start with mostly base rock to save $. I'll either make my own (man made aragonite rocks can be made for under $1 lb) or order from Marco Rocks .com, a Florida etailer with a fantastic rep amongst reefers. Bulk Reef Supply also has very nice base rock.

You don't want to do anything ASAP in this hobby. Trust me, nothing good happens fast. Take your time, read up, and keep hitting the forums before adding water.

[Musbtr1pin]

Ok, I have already added water and salt and my arganite sand bottom... Protein skimmer is up and running, as well as my filters... I just put 10 lbs of live rock in the take and a few damsels... I'm sure they refer this to the "secret cycle". I have ordered 75 lbs of some premium DRY live rock and will just let the live rock seed the other rock in time.. I have done my reading as this is something I have wanted to do for years. I know it takes time and patients and im prepared for that endeavor. What do you think about what I have goin on so far? Should I start a build log and let the people give me advice??? There is only so much reading I can take it, the rest I guess I have to learn from experience?? Thoughts??

[Original Fin]

A build thread is a great idea!

Ok, I have already added water and salt and my arganite sand bottom... Protein skimmer is up and running, as well as my filters... I just put 10 lbs of live rock in the take and a few damsels... I'm sure they refer this to the "secret cycle". I have ordered 75 lbs of some premium DRY live rock and will just let the live rock seed the other rock in time.. I have done my reading as this is something I have wanted to do for years. I know it takes time and patients and im prepared for that endeavor. What do you think about what I have goin on so far? Should I start a build log and let the people give me advice??? There is only so much reading I can take it, the rest I guess I have to learn from experience?? Thoughts??

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

The damsels are not needed.

[Musbtr1pin]

The damsels are not needed.

There just something to look at! Am I on the right track as far as my cycle goes? I'm following the "How to set up a FOWLR" Thoughts?

[Original Fin]

I gotta say, I'm not loving your disregard to the welfare of your fish so far. My .02.