I recently decided I want to start a FOWLR aquarium with maybe a few low light corals. I’ve researched a ton and actually already posted another thread here. But to avoid the hassle of replying in an already pretty much dead thread, I figured I’d start another. So basically, I found a ton of awesome deals on Craigslist for fundamental equipment. I’m getting a 60 gallon cube with a stand for 50 dollars. This is where my first question is.
1) What should I do about cleaning and preparing this tank for my project? Should I just scrub it and clean it with freshwater or should I use something like white vinegar?
In addition to that, I’m also getting 103lbs of live rock, 40lbs of live sand, and up to ~80 gallons of “seasoned†saltwater for 100 dollars. The third thing I’m getting is a Reef Octopus RO-PS-1000int protein skimmer for 120 dollars.
2) My second question for you guys is what do you think about this skimmer? I can’t find very many reviews online for it.
3) Also, how many GPH is it rated at?
This skimmer is an insump only model which kind of sucks.. So that means I have to have a sump also even though I’m on a budget. I have a 10 gallon leader aquarium just sitting around that I plan on turning into my sump. It would have to house my heater, the skimmer, and bubble walls, right? It would be cool if it could house a refugeem but it probably doesn’t have enough space, right? I have a few questions about this:
Should I put a deep sand bed in it, shallow sand bed in it, or leave it bare bottomed?
4) If I put a deep sand bed in it will it require any maintenance?
5) Is there a good walkthrough on how to turn it into a sump? I’m really new at this and have never even seen a sump, so I only have a rough idea on what they look like.
Some other questions that I have revolving water:
6) Would it be wise to use the Craigslist person’s water to help “boost†the cycling of my tank?
7) Would it be okay to take enough of their water to completely fill my tank as long as the parameters check out and completely avoid buying and filling up my tank with fresh ro/di water?
8) Is there a way to check for diseases in their water they might not be telling me about?
9) If I don’t get any of their water, how would I go about mixing my own? I’ve read varied opinions on this matter but they mostly say that I should fill up 5 gallon buckets, mix in salt mix, and let sit with a powerhead for 6 hours. This seems like it would take days to fill up a tank though?
Another question that I have revolves around power filters. I know they’re pretty much a no no in the saltwater realm, but I have an old Cascade 100 filter that’s just sitting around.
10) Would it be wise to fill this with bio balls or activated carbon or something to help with filtration?
11) I understand I’d have to clean it thoroughly at least once a week to avoid an ammonia disaster, right?
Here is a breakdown of my equipment, what do you guys think about it? What parts would you change out? Do you have any reviews on any of the equipment or any reason to look for something else? Does it seem right for my ideal tank?
12) My apartment is kept at about 65 degrees, and I plan on having my heater set at 79 degrees. How much do you think this light will heat my water up if I leave it on 12 hours a day?
13) I’ve read that these Odyssea brand lights are prone to fire? Most of the posts seem to be really old though, so I assume they’ve fixed the issue? How much of an issue is it really?
14) It comes with a 250W 15000K Metal Halide bulb and 4 24watt Actinic Blue T5’s. Are these enough light for a few low light corals?
17) How much live rock should I put in my sump, ideally? I know it’s small, so a bunch probably won’t be able to fit.
18) Is 40lbs of live sand enough for a shallow sand bed?
19) Is this a good salt mix? Will it have the necessary amounts of calcium and other supplements that my tank needs?
21) Is this a good test kit for a beginner tank? I don’t plan on getting corals for a while.
22) The reviews seem mixed on this hydrometer, is there anything else in this price range that would be better?
24) What do you guys think about the CPR CS90 600gph overflow box? Will this be too much or too little for my skimmer?
25) Is there any sort of DIY overflow box that I can make instead of buying one?
28) Should I glue my pieces together to avoid leaks?
29) What do I do about the end of the pipe after coming from the return pump? Is there some sort of attachment I’m supposed to put at the end of it when it gets to my tank or do I just have a bare PVC pipe running into my tank, haha?
After all of this, I think the only questions I have left are regarding coral.
30) Would my light fixture be enough for a few corals? Which kinds? Just low light ones like mushrooms and bubble corals?
31) How long after having an established tank is it wise to wait before buying corals?
Thank you for reading all of this. I have a lot of questions, and hopefully you veterans can help me out a little. =] Any input, advice, or answers would be greatly appreciated!
EDIT: My old thread can be found here: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/ne...out-start-my-very-first-reef.html#post1164753
1) What should I do about cleaning and preparing this tank for my project? Should I just scrub it and clean it with freshwater or should I use something like white vinegar?
In addition to that, I’m also getting 103lbs of live rock, 40lbs of live sand, and up to ~80 gallons of “seasoned†saltwater for 100 dollars. The third thing I’m getting is a Reef Octopus RO-PS-1000int protein skimmer for 120 dollars.
2) My second question for you guys is what do you think about this skimmer? I can’t find very many reviews online for it.
3) Also, how many GPH is it rated at?
This skimmer is an insump only model which kind of sucks.. So that means I have to have a sump also even though I’m on a budget. I have a 10 gallon leader aquarium just sitting around that I plan on turning into my sump. It would have to house my heater, the skimmer, and bubble walls, right? It would be cool if it could house a refugeem but it probably doesn’t have enough space, right? I have a few questions about this:
Should I put a deep sand bed in it, shallow sand bed in it, or leave it bare bottomed?
4) If I put a deep sand bed in it will it require any maintenance?
5) Is there a good walkthrough on how to turn it into a sump? I’m really new at this and have never even seen a sump, so I only have a rough idea on what they look like.
Some other questions that I have revolving water:
6) Would it be wise to use the Craigslist person’s water to help “boost†the cycling of my tank?
7) Would it be okay to take enough of their water to completely fill my tank as long as the parameters check out and completely avoid buying and filling up my tank with fresh ro/di water?
8) Is there a way to check for diseases in their water they might not be telling me about?
9) If I don’t get any of their water, how would I go about mixing my own? I’ve read varied opinions on this matter but they mostly say that I should fill up 5 gallon buckets, mix in salt mix, and let sit with a powerhead for 6 hours. This seems like it would take days to fill up a tank though?
Another question that I have revolves around power filters. I know they’re pretty much a no no in the saltwater realm, but I have an old Cascade 100 filter that’s just sitting around.
10) Would it be wise to fill this with bio balls or activated carbon or something to help with filtration?
11) I understand I’d have to clean it thoroughly at least once a week to avoid an ammonia disaster, right?
Here is a breakdown of my equipment, what do you guys think about it? What parts would you change out? Do you have any reviews on any of the equipment or any reason to look for something else? Does it seem right for my ideal tank?
12) My apartment is kept at about 65 degrees, and I plan on having my heater set at 79 degrees. How much do you think this light will heat my water up if I leave it on 12 hours a day?
13) I’ve read that these Odyssea brand lights are prone to fire? Most of the posts seem to be really old though, so I assume they’ve fixed the issue? How much of an issue is it really?
14) It comes with a 250W 15000K Metal Halide bulb and 4 24watt Actinic Blue T5’s. Are these enough light for a few low light corals?
- 2x 1300gph Power Heads: Amazon.com: (2) 1300 GPH Coral Aquarium Fish Pump Wave Makers Powerhead: Pet Supplie
- 103lbs of Live Rock, 40lbs of Live Sand, and up to ~80 gallons of Salt Water.
17) How much live rock should I put in my sump, ideally? I know it’s small, so a bunch probably won’t be able to fit.
18) Is 40lbs of live sand enough for a shallow sand bed?
19) Is this a good salt mix? Will it have the necessary amounts of calcium and other supplements that my tank needs?
- Infrared Thermometer: www.ebay.com/itm/Non-Contact-Infared-Temperature-Gun-Thermometer-Laser-Sight-High-Accuracy-/160903151682?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2576934042
21) Is this a good test kit for a beginner tank? I don’t plan on getting corals for a while.
22) The reviews seem mixed on this hydrometer, is there anything else in this price range that would be better?
- Overflow Box:
24) What do you guys think about the CPR CS90 600gph overflow box? Will this be too much or too little for my skimmer?
25) Is there any sort of DIY overflow box that I can make instead of buying one?
- Return Pump:
- Piping:
28) Should I glue my pieces together to avoid leaks?
29) What do I do about the end of the pipe after coming from the return pump? Is there some sort of attachment I’m supposed to put at the end of it when it gets to my tank or do I just have a bare PVC pipe running into my tank, haha?
After all of this, I think the only questions I have left are regarding coral.
30) Would my light fixture be enough for a few corals? Which kinds? Just low light ones like mushrooms and bubble corals?
31) How long after having an established tank is it wise to wait before buying corals?
Thank you for reading all of this. I have a lot of questions, and hopefully you veterans can help me out a little. =] Any input, advice, or answers would be greatly appreciated!
EDIT: My old thread can be found here: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/ne...out-start-my-very-first-reef.html#post1164753
The slower you go the less money you'll waste on things dying and the more you'll enjoy the hobby as things survive and grow. Here is a guide I used often early in the hobby and less so now. 
