New Member from Cambridge UK

[Rusty_uk]

Hi All

 

Recently got a new job working from home so decided to brighten up the home office by starting my own nano-reef. Although i have had cold water and tropical fish in the past, this is to be my first journey into the world of Marine fish and im super excited.

 

Got a second hand fluval edge 6g the other day and planning to nip down to a friendly LFS in Cambridge over the weekend for some salt water, live sand and LIve Rock (although there is a local gumtree listing for some Live Rock that i might scope out first).

 

Couple of quick questions:

 

 

Im planning on just having filter floss and a Carbon sachet in the filter. Is that ok? Should i put it all in before i start cycling or wait until its done?

 

I was planning 6kg of live sand and another 6kg of live rock. Does that sound sensible?

 

Anyone with a the same tank recommend a small heater? The one i have will have to sit diagonally since its a bit too tall for the low profile of the tank. I would love to get one that would sit vertically in the tank. Also what is the ideal temperature for the tank?

 

Finally, will i be ok with the standard lights or should i upgrade to the 42led version found in the bigger edge? i guess it would depend what i want to keep in there, but whats the rule of thumb?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Rusty.

[seabass]

Welcome to N-R.

 

Im planning on just having filter floss and a Carbon sachet in the filter. Is that ok? Should i put it all in before i start cycling or wait until its done?

 

Sounds alright. You might want to mix in a little Phosguard with the activated carbon when phosphate starts to climb. Most people wait to add chemical filtration after the cycle has become established.

 

I was planning 6kg of live sand and another 6kg of live rock. Does that sound sensible?

13lbs of rock sounds like a lot. I think half that should be fine.

 

Anyone with a the same tank recommend a small heater? The one i have will have to sit diagonally since its a bit too tall for the low profile of the tank. I would love to get one that would sit vertically in the tank. Also what is the ideal temperature for the tank?

Maybe a Hydor Theo 50 Watt heater?

 

Finally, will i be ok with the standard lights or should i upgrade to the 42led version found in the bigger edge? i guess it would depend what i want to keep in there, but whats the rule of thumb?

I'm not sure what type of lighting they come with. Here, read through some of these threads (it might help you decide): http://www.nano-reef.com/index.php?app=googlecse#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=Fluval6

[Rusty_uk]

Thanks for the response. Think i got my Kg vs lb mixed up

That should read 6lb of live sand and 6lb of live rock.

 

So i should leave the filter tray empty of everything until cycling is complete then?

 

The Hydor Theo 50 gets some pretty bad reviews and at 27cm it's taller than the tallest part of my tank (25cm).

 

I may go with the Fluval E 50 if nobody has any other suggestions.

[seabass]

Yeah, you could leave it empty, or just run the floss until the cycle is established.

 

There is also the Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm Aquarium Heater w/ LED Display.

[Clown79]

Welcome!

 

I'd run floss only during the cycle. Once thats done then add a good carbon. Matrix is a good carbon but chemipure blue nano is another good option.

 

6lb rock and 6lb sand sounds good. Try to keep the sand bed no deeper than 1.5".

 

As for lighting, if you want corals you will need to upgrade. I do believe the fluvals come with standard 1 watt leds and white only.

 

I'm not sure whats available in the UK but here are a few fixtures that are available here that you can look into and find one in your area that is comparable.

 

Coral Compulsion par 38

 

Aquamaxx nemolight

 

Ai Prime

 

Nanobox

 

Current Orbit

 

I had a hydor heater- your research is spot on. They suck! Mine was set at 79 and the temp fluctuated between 80-84 and it was on even when it was 84. I then set the heater even lower - 71 and it still was 80-84.

 

I have a cheap no name heater for water changes that is 10x more accurate than hydor heaters.

 

I went with jagger and my temp was stable. I think its too big for your tank though.