Newbie at saltwater

[BUlicny]

I have recently purchased a 55gal tank. I have Seaclone Protein skimmerSCPS150, Rena FilstarXP3 canister filter, two Aquaclear50's powerheads. Im going to put 60lbs of live sand, and about 80lbs of live rock. I have not put water in it as of yet. Any suggestions before I start filling the tank?

How long should I let it cycle? Any helpful hints to this outstanding hobby would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Welcome to an awesome site!

OK to fill tank anytime, sooner the better. Put a little fishfood in to get the cycle started. Get salifort test kits or at least the best you can afford and a better skimmer. When the tests say your tank is ready, add livestock one item at a time

 

[Krish]

Welcome to RF!!! Hope you enjoy it here! As for your tank, you will probably here almost everyone say to swap out the skimmer. Seaclone's aren't really a good skimmer at all putting it nicely. As for cycling time, it will all depend on the condition of your rock and how much die-off you experience. I would try to get my hands on some salifert test kits to monitor things during cycling as you will want to test for ammonia and nitrite. Once the 2 have totally dropped off, then your tank has finished the initial cycle which on average takes about 6-8 weeks, but can vary like I said depending on the condition of the rock. Also, be sure to you use ro/di water as regular tap usually contains nitrates, phosphates amongst other things you wouldn't want in your water

Good luck and let us know if you have any questions.

 

[Meche]

Cool beans man! What are you going to keep in the tank? Any corals, clams, or anemones? What kind of lights do you have?

Mike is telling the truth about the test kits, but you might have better luck looking for the alternate spelling, ( :lol: ) Salifert.

Also, I have the same canister filter as you do, on the same size tank. You may want to consider taking out all of the sponges in the bottom (and top) of the filter and only using carbon in it. Your live rock and sand should take care of the biological filtering, so there is no need for ceramic beads or the like.

And welcome to RF!

 

[Roly]

First of all welcome. This is an awsome place. Tons of nice people who have always been happy to help me with everything. Im kinda new to the Salt Water game too. My very first skimmer was a Seaclone and it was horrible. I think it did more harm than good. It never seemed to work right, it was loud, I had TONS of microbubbles, and it never collected anything! I had it for about 2 weeks. I returned it. I honestly would have thrown it out if they didnt return my money. There are many good skimmers out there that arent very expensive. I have a NW Octopus Skimmer. I LOVE IT! Good luck!

 

[BUlicny]

Thank you all for the input. I just finished filling the tank. Now its a waiting game. I went and bought a Salifert test kit, and looked at new skimmers as well. I will go with the Sea clone for now, then upgrade later. Wife is already complaining about how much I have spent.

 

[Meche]

I will go with the Sea clone for now, then upgrade later. Wife is already complaining about how much I have spent.

There are merits to supporting local business, however, my LFS's prices are 80-100% higher than they are on-line, no exaggeration.

 

[ecobalance]

80 lbs of rock

80 lbs of rock in a 55 gal is tooo much.Thats gonna leave you about 20 gallons of water and no room for fish.Less is more.

 

[BUlicny]

80 lbs of rock in a 55 gal is tooo much.Thats gonna leave you about 20 gallons of water and no room for fish.Less is more.

Thanks for the input. I decided not to put that much rock in it. About half of that is what Im going to go with.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

80 lbs of rock in a 55 gal is tooo much.Thats gonna leave you about 20 gallons of water and no room for fish.Less is more.

You would be amazed how little space 80 pounds of rock can occupy. Per the berlin method, more is better...

 

[Meche]

80 lbs of rock in a 55 gal is tooo much.Thats gonna leave you about 20 gallons of water and no room for fish.Less is more.

WHAT?!

How did you develop your calculations? Do you know what kind of rock he has?

You seem to be describing an extremely non-porous, and a very low density material. I'm not sure LR quite fits that description.

I highly doubt that your material would even sink, water weighs 4x as much as the material you are describing.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

I'm really getting worried, Brett and I are in full agreement

 

[aquarookie]

WHAT?!

How did you develop your calculations? Do you know what kind of rock he has?

You seem to be describing an extremely non-porous, and a very low density material. I'm not sure LR quite fits that description.

I highly doubt that your material would even sink, water weighs 4x as much as the material you are describing.

I am confused... I though the lower the density, the more pores it had... But don't mind me, I have a cold so my brain is not functioning :lol:.

I have too much liverock but the fish can swim circles around it (it does not touch the front, sides and back of the tank). I would think 80 lbs would be OK but it's up to you

 

[Krish]

I agree...80lbs is fine if you want to go with that much. Some people will put 2 lbs per gal in their tanks and some alot less. Go with what works best for you...People have had great success either way

 

[Meche]

I though the lower the density, the more pores it had

In general and in this hobby you are right. But, because Live Rock (LR) is porous, it will fill with water. In other words, it won't displace much water. Saying that 80lbs of a porous (open cell) LR will displace 35 gallons of water is shear nonsense.

 

[Brenden]

I agree with Brett. He is a expert on "nonsense" 80 lbs of LR will be great. I happen to have some rock to sell?

 

[BUlicny]

OK, I have the tank set up for about 9 hours now. Here are my readings. I know its early, but what is a man to do.

Salinity: 1.022
Amonia: 0
PH: 8.2
Nitrite: 0 (as expected)
Nitrate: 0 (as expected)

I want to thank everyone who has helped me in my FIRST saltwater tank. THANK YOU RF!!! Very informative site, and really great people.

 

[Krish]

Looks great! You'll eventually want to raise up your salinity though as it is a little on the low side, but no major rush. People usually shoot for the 1.025 range. Other than that, now it is just a waiting game for the tank to cycle...Just keep checking your ammonia and nitrite levels and as they will both start to give you some reading soon and then eventually work it's way off. Good luck and let us know if you have anymore question