stupid question v636456267

[psychowes]

i got a tank for christmas, and plan on setting it up for saltwater, with all my gift certificates and monies i went to the LFS and got some aragonite sand, some powerheads, salt and water... the tank came with a HOB carbon cartridge filters... i think the tank was pretty much setup for freshwater, it has only 1 flourescent bulb. anyways, after christmas i set it all up, put in the sand, mixed the water, got everything up and running. but then i ran into some money problems with other things so i had to put my aquarium on hold, until now i have my liverock on wednesday.

 

ok now for the stupid question. before i put in the liverock do you think i should change out the water? there is nothing growing in the tank. it has just been sitting there holding water with the filters running for months. the reason i ask is because when some of the water evaporated, and i poured in some more water, as the water mixes with the saltwater, the water seems kind of oily? i am new to the reef thing so i am not sure if this is normal or not.

 

thanks for the help guys

[pineomt]

I think it will be fine. However, go ahead and do some research while your waiting. It will payoff, as well as give you some ideas about the goals for your reef. Good luck.

 

PS. The "oily" looking is just the freshwater mixing with the salt water.

[fishy610]

I'd say drain your entire tank and get rid of the old water, especialy after it is been sitting stale for months. It only costs a couple of bucks, better not take risks. Also, what kind of water did you use and what water did you use to top off the evap?

 

What is you complete setup?

 

Good luck!

[psychowes]

Originally posted by fishy610

I'd say drain your entire tank and get rid of the old water, especialy after it is been sitting stale for months. It only costs a couple of bucks, better not take risks. Also, what kind of water did you use and what water did you use to top off the evap?

 

What is you complete setup?

 

Good luck!

 

i used the walmart "purple top" water to fill it up and to top it off. umm there is not much yet to my complete setup as i am still getting things piece by piece.

 

so far i have

 

29g aga aquarium,

40lbs of aragonite sand

2 maxijet 600's

a heater.

a hob cartridge filter which i will probably pull and replace with a refugium.

the tank came with a cheap flourescent light that i will be replacing ASAP.

 

and 40 pounds of liverock coming wednesday...

[fishy610]

Sounds like a good plan. Actually, I am using the WalMart purple cap destilled water myself (as many others in here). Yea, you might want to upgrade your lights... Good luck with the LR!

[psychowes]

Originally posted by fishy610

Sounds like a good plan. Actually, I am using the WalMart purple cap destilled water myself (as many others in here). Yea, you might want to upgrade your lights... Good luck with the LR!

 

thanks! the only thing that sucks is that my tank is 30inches long so its hard finding "cheap" lights for it. i want to get t5's but they are either 24 inches or 35 inches and i dont know if the legs on them are adjustable

[fishy610]

Try a 30" Dual Satellite 2x65watt SunPaq w/Lunar Light & Fan. $135 at premiumaquatics.

 

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/m...Code=currentusa

 

I know...lights are probably the most expensive part of your tank and I hurt myself in spending that much money for "just lights", but you don't really want to go less than 130W PC over a 29g. Even better, get a nice MH pendant or do-it-yourself!

 

Read a little bit more about lights here:

http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/?article=13

 

and here:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/category...id=6&acatid=310

[offsprg01]

i have the 30" coral life aqua light. and i got the advanced legs that allow the light to tilt up so you can get in to your tank. it's a sweet sepup.