First ever saltwater tank!

[seabass]

For dry rock, I recommend you get some from Reef Cleaners: http://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/rock

[CurtBoswell]

Is there any place cheaper like $1.50 a pound?

[CurtBoswell]

Will this thermometer work? http://m.ebay.com/itm/400459348587

[Hexadron]

Is there any place cheaper like $1.50 a pound?

 

The BRS Reef Saver and Tonga branch ends up being a little bit cheaper. It makes sense to order there if you are getting some other equipment to reach the free shipping min.

 

Will this thermometer work? http://m.ebay.com/itm/400459348587

 

Should work just fine. I'm glad you didn't post a digital one, as though are known for being inaccurate.

[CurtBoswell]

I'll check out BRS I think I still have a few points left on my account. haha! Try to get some rock, salt, sand from there. Free shipping is what we want. Haha!

 

Thanks! I read about them a little bit. So I had an idea of which to go with. Should I use two? On in display one in refugium. Or one on one side of refugium and one on the other?

[Hexadron]

Thanks! I read about them a little bit. So I had an idea of which to go with. Should I use two? On in display one in refugium. Or one on one side of refugium and one on the other?

 

I use the Reef Saver rock and like it very much. I ended up using a chisel (or screwdriver) and hammer (or just a hammer and go to town!) to break up the rock for a nano scape to make this I epoxied the pieces together, so it was one solid structure.

 

If you do decide to epoxy, make sure you are 100% happy with it! it is not coming apart!

 

Many people simply stack the rock, which is also fine. Just make sure it is secure, and I personally like to place the rock before sand, so it is a little more balanced. Don;t forget to leave room for corals to grow

[CurtBoswell]

I'll probably just stack the rock. Hopefully in a couple years I'll be able to set up a larger aquarium and I'll use this rock to sees the dry rock that I get.

 

I finally got enough money to buy everything I need to start! Then I have to save up for the lights. I'll probably order everything tomorrow or Tuesday! Should have everything by next week! I'm so excited!

[Hexadron]

It's so fun when it all comes together

 

Be sure to post a Tank Journal in the Members Aquarium section.

[CurtBoswell]

It's so fun when it all comes together

 

Be sure to post a Tank Journal in the Members Aquarium section.

 

I tried last night but I couldn't get pictures to post from my iphone! I have the tanks, light fixtures, ph test, and timer all on this little stand just waiting for me to add everything!

[CurtBoswell]

Here's the link to my tank thread! http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/349260-first-saltwater-tank-d/?p=4793091#entry4793091

 

If anyone can tell me how to get pictures to load from an iPhone I'd appreciate it!

[seabass]

I just use the USB cable to upload them to a PC. But you could send them to Flickr via email, or I believe that you might even be able to change the privacy level, then upload.

• http://www.maclife.com/article/how_to_send_iphone_photos_to_flickr
• https://www.flickr.com/groups/flickrapp/discuss/72157632453529887/

[CurtBoswell]

Thanks! I'll try that! What should I feed to corals?

[Hexadron]

Yup what seabass said

 

I usually just email them to myself and upload them via a computer to whichever host you prefer (flickr, tiny pic, imgur, photobucket etc..)

[seabass]

What should I feed to corals?

Mostly light. But you can feed Coral Frenzy sparingly (once a week prior to doing maintenance).

[CurtBoswell]

Thanks! So after I add my CUC and get rid of the algae blooms what should I add next? Sexy Shrimp, Ocellaris Clownfish, Firefish, or coral? I almost have everything ordered to start the tank hopefully my Red Sea coral pro salt comes in by Monday!

[seabass]

Add your most aggressive fish last. So the firefish comes before the clownfish.

[CurtBoswell]

Alright. Neither of the two fish should harm my shrimp right?

 

I'm almost ready to start!

[CurtBoswell]

You can do a conversion, but the range would be hard to read with accuracy. They offer one with a dual scale (for $10 more) which shows why this isn't your best choice.

 

So I ordered this refractometer and I have been looking at it recently. The SG and the salinity don't match up? ?

[seabass]

Here's what the MarineDepot refractometers look like:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_Depot_Aquarium_Refractometer_Aquarium_Refractometers-Marine_Depot-MD2101-FITEOPRF-vi.html

 

 

or their pro model http://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_Depot_Aquarium_Pro_Refractometer_Aquarium_Refractometers-Marine_Depot-MD2103-FITEOPRF-vi.html

[CurtBoswell]

What I meant to ask was will it work even though it doesn't match?

[seabass]

I don't understand. What do you mean by they don't match up?

 

If it can clearly display a specific gravity of 1.025 or 33 PPT, then you should be able to use it.

[CurtBoswell]

I was saying salinity was at 5% while specific gravity was at 1.020. I think I figured it out.

 

I actually bought a small piece of live rock today. I've been trying to mix Red Sea coral pro salt with RO water. I followed the directions exactly and my refractometer meter reads that it is about 1.015. I added a little more salt at a time. It has only gotten up to 1.019. I have been mixing it for about 3 hours. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[seabass]

Oh, I see. The 5% is the Brix%.

 

Do you have a hydrometer to compare it against? Refractometers need to be calibrated from time to time; although most come pre-calibrated. You generally use calibration fluid (that compares with NSW) to calibrate it.

[CurtBoswell]

No I only have that refractometer. Is that why the SG might be off?

[CurtBoswell]

I finally got the SG where it needed to bet here was a serpent star on a piece of live rock I got. It's very tiny. It had been out of water for 8 hours. I thought it was dead. As soon as I put the mixed water in it started moving like crazy! This thing is so entertaining! Has this happened to anyone else?