tank set up could use some advice

[jikiya777]

hello I'm just getting back in to the hobby after my first tank crashed about 4 years ago.

 

I'm just looking for some advice about the set up and stocking (I want to do a soft / lps set up with a couple of fish and inverts.)

 

tank I've got is a new 27 gallon cube and I have the light from my original tank along with the power head ill need a new heater and filter (there was a 30-50 cartridge style on the old tank could this work if cleaned up and possible modified I'm pretty handy and not afraid of DIY) support equipment along with testing set.

 

I plan on buying a refractometer and a good quality test set any suggestions? there's lots of dry live rock from the old tank a 20 gallon bow front would there be any issue with using this or should I get all new? I plan on using 20 lbs. of caribsea live sand and adding regular dry aragonite sand to fill in the rest I want a slightly deep sand bed.

 

also looking for rock scape ideas I relies every one is unique but some general layouts would be appreciated'

 

thanks

 

[seabass]

I plan on buying a refractometer and a good quality test set any suggestions?

Just about any refractometer will be fine: http://www.marinedepot.com/Refractometers_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-FITEOPRF-ct.html

 

You'll need

an ammonia test kit - http://www.marinedepot.com/Aquarium_Pharmaceuticals_API_Freshwater_Saltwater_Ammonia_Test_Kit_Test_kit_of_130_tests_Ammonia_Test_Kits_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Aquarium_Pharmaceuticals_API_MARS_Fishcare-AP3131-FITKAM-vi.html

a nitrate test kit - http://www.marinedepot.com/Seachem_Laboratories_Multitest_Nitrate_Nitrite_Test_Kit_Master_Test_Kits_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Seachem-SC4135-FITKMK-vi.html

and a phosphate test kit - http://www.amazon.com/Hanna-Instruments-Handheld-Colorimeter-Phosphorus/dp/B003UNK3I8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417839721&sr=8-1&keywords=hanna+phosphorus+checker

 

After you get some stoney corals you'll also net

an alkalinity test kit - http://www.marinedepot.com/Salifert_KH_Alkalinity_Test_Kit_Alkalinity_%28KH%29_Test_Kits_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Salifert-SF1123-FITKAL-vi.html

and a calcium test kit - http://www.marinedepot.com/Salifert_Calcium_Test_Kit_Calcium_Test_Kits_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Salifert-SF1115-FITKCA-vi.html

 

Once you start dosing you'll need

a magnesium test kit - http://www.marinedepot.com/Salifert_Magnesium_Test_Kit_Specialty_Test_Kits_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Salifert-SF1125-FITKSI-vi.html

[jikiya777]

thank you any suggestions as to a light? mines in VERY rough shape and I don't think its worth trying to fix

[Sk8n Reefer]

thank you any suggestions as to a light? mines in VERY rough shape and I don't think its worth trying to fix

 

It's always helpful to review previous tanks of the month and see what they have used and what has helped them be successful. The lighting you pick will dictate what type of livestock you can keep. Start thinking about what you want in the tank and develop your system around that. Use the search engines - most topics have been dsicussed- this site is a wealth of information! Good luck and welcome back to the hobby!

[jikiya777]

Thank you!

I didn't even think to look at the tanks of the month .

as to live stock maybe three fish and soft corals, zoas, mushrooms and possibly some lps no sps as they don't catch my interest much.

[seabass]

thank you any suggestions as to a light? mines in VERY rough shape and I don't think its worth trying to fix

Maybe something like this: http://coralcompulsion.com/led/PAR-BULBS/35w-18k-trucolor-par38 which should give you 24" x 24" spread.

 

The weaker http://coralcompulsion.com/led/PAR-BULBS/led-36w-14k-Full bulb gives a slightly more narrow spread of 18" x 18", which should be enough to highlight the rock island in the center (with less light bleeding out of the tank).

[jikiya777]

wow that's a lot less expensive than the one I was looking at looks like it could be an awesome light too.

thanks for all the help sea bass and sk8n reefer