Hi everyone! just getting started out and needed a little help

[diamond]

This is going to sound silly but.. How do you accually go about mixing the salt water, mix before putting into tank? or let the water get moved around with the powerheads?
Also do you put the sand in first and then water? and what is the best method for doing this?
So far, i have ordered a protien skimmer, live sand, food, salt and a hydrometer (sp?) i already have the tank, test kits hood with regular flourecent lighting. i think after getting proper lighting i will splurge on some live rock.
I found some nice stuff called Jakarta and it is supposed to have lots of hitchhikers.

I look forward to being an active member on the site!

[weez1959]

Hi Diamond and WELCOME!! Nice to see a fellow canuck on this forum!

First off you need RO/DI (filtered) water or distilled water, never use tap water or you'll have all sorts of problems down the road

Mix the water and salt first. Then rinse your sand if you're using dry, put it in the tank and pour water in by putting a plate in the bottom to keep down the cloudiness. If you have the rock add that after you've tested your water for salinity and temperature. If you add rock it will clear your water alot faster. I can't think of anything else but I'm sure someone else will chime in!

[charlie]

This is going to sound silly but.. How do you accually go about mixing the salt water, mix before putting into tank? or let the water get moved around with the powerheads?
Also do you put the sand in first and then water? and what is the best method for doing this?
So far, i have ordered a protien skimmer, live sand, food, salt and a hydrometer (sp?) i already have the tank, test kits hood with regular flourecent lighting. i think after getting proper lighting i will splurge on some live rock.
I found some nice stuff called Jakarta and it is supposed to have lots of hitchhikers.

I look forward to being an active member on the site!

weez has you headed in the right direction!!
How big is your tank?? If you give us some particulars we'll be able to help a little more.
If it was me, add the sand, water live rock, get your protein skimmer working, then just sit back about 3-4 weeks and watch your tank cycle. Keep asking questions and do as much research as you can stick into your head!!! Then when you are done with that, research some more.
This is a great place and it has a bunch of good info, don't be afraid to kick back with a pot of coffee on a Saturday morning and dig in!

[diamond]

weez has you headed in the right direction!!
How big is your tank?? If you give us some particulars we'll be able to help a little more.
If it was me, add the sand, water live rock, get your protein skimmer working, then just sit back about 3-4 weeks and watch your tank cycle. Keep asking questions and do as much research as you can stick into your head!!! Then when you are done with that, research some more.
This is a great place and it has a bunch of good info, don't be afraid to kick back with a pot of coffee on a Saturday morning and dig in!

Hi!

The tank is a 32G, i have 2 shipments comming in this week. i have:
a tub of instant ocean salt,
some marine flake food, and a seaweed food
30lb caribsea argamax sand
20lb ocean direct live sand
200w submersible heater
hydrometer
protien skimmer

I am going to order the live rock in about a week.. expensive stuff! ive only spent about $275.00 on the above items though.

What fish, corals, and inverts work well together in a reef tank this size?

In a couple months i think i will start with some clowns.. where should i go from there?

[charlie]

Sounds like a good start, Just make sure your tank is totally cycled before adding any livestock. In a 32, you are really gonna be limited as far as fish go, I would continue to research what other folks with your size tank have done, there are plenty of good threads about that here.
What is your lighting going to be, end result. Personally, I would look into something like a T5 fixture, you could probably support even some of the less demanding sps with them. JMHO