Starting up a tank in a few months???

[payton_fulton]

Greetings Everyone,

I currently have a 72 gallon bowfront that was once set up as a freshwater tank, I have kept freshwater fish for a few years now and am wanting to switch to saltwater once my new house is finalized and we get moved in. Below is the list of equipment that I planned on setting up my tank with, if anyone has any advice or suggestions I would really appreciate it.

-Rena Filstar XP3 (Biological)
-Seaclone Protein Skimmer rated up to 150 Gallons
-Maxi-Jet 1200 PH Powerhead 295gph
-Carib Sea Aragamax Sugar Sized Saltwater Sand 80 lbs
-Fiji Live Rock 80lbs
-I will be using only R/O Water
-Instant Ocean Salt
-Lighting??? (Not Sure)

Thanks in advance for your responses, they are greatly appreciated.

[PDAJunkie]

I would go with more live rock as it will be your biological filter. Rule of thumb is about 1 1/2 times your gal rating. I use a XP3, but simply to run carbon thru. The Seaclone Skimmer is a piece of trash. Go with a good skimmer as it is important IMO. Remember, you get what you pay for and this hobbie is no different. Did you ever run copper in your tank when it was a freshwater one? Not good if you did. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[tray262]

Hey pal, welcome to the forums.
There are tons of post on here with close to the same questions, and there is loads of great information that I'm sure I'll miss telling you. So I'd go and look at some of those too. BUT.......

First question is what are you going to keep FOWLR ? (Fish only with live rock) or a reef tank ? that's the biggest question when talking about lighting. If it's only a fish tank, almost any lighting will do. I would look at like just some flour. set up. On to the rest.

Use the Rena as a carbon box you won't need it for Bio. Your live rock will have that covered. I'd up the live rock to about 100lbs. Pacific east aquaculture has some awsome rock and great prices. And Dr. Mac is cool as hell. Your skimmer, did you buy it already ? If not find a nicer one. There are some many really great skimmers out there now. Most of the knock off's are really nice too. Lots of people on here have been getting really great Deltec knock offs including myself, and they work wonderful. I would also the flow in tank some may triple what you have. I would also rec. the seio powerheads instead, they are cheap and the are very energy effect. with great water movement, more a wide flow instead of a blaster. R/O GREAT GREAT GREAT. They only thing else I'd say is do you water changes, and keep up with them, keep your skimmer clean. Hope we are not spending too much of your money.

Good luck bro, Stick around this site, there are some really great people on here with great info to share,
Tray262

[payton_fulton]

Never used copper in this tank, had one ich outbreak and used the heat treatment to cure it. I plan on doing a FOWLR tank, and I haven't purchased the skimmer yet. The only thing I currently have is the XP3, also have an AC70 and 2 AC50's, but wasn't planning on using them. I am getting the R/O water from my LFS, they sell it for 29cents per gallon(Is that a good price?) I will look into a better quality skimmer and the variaties of live rock a little more. I was planning on using two power heads.

As far as start up, when I get all the equipment I need, from what I hear I should follow these steps:

-Set the stand and aquarium in a spot that will be permanent, low traffic area, and where no outside sunlight will reach the tank.

-Add substrate

-Add filtration, xp3, skimmer, and power heads.

-Add R/O Water

-Add Instant Ocean Salt (1 cup per 2gallons???)

-Start Filtration, Power Heads, and Skimmer

-Let run for 48 hours while checking salinity and adjusting in order to reach in between 1.021-1.025, goal is 1.022.

-Once desired salinity has been reached and constant, add live rock to begin cycling.

-Check water parameters every day and once the cycle is completed, do a 50% water change, and (Pre-mix my new saltwater to desired salinity in separate container)

-Add fish slowly, a few weeks apart????

Thank you in advance for your responses

[reefheadhbyst]

just put sand and rock let it cycle for about 2 -3 weeks and if your goung to get crabs or snail do that then let cycle for 2weeks then start out with damsels cheap fish then let then in ther for 2 weeks then you ca slowly add about 3-5 fish evry 2-3weeks and then thats about it