Brand New to Saltwater with a 10 gallon tank. Please be NICE! lol

[CrimsonTide]

I like Seachem Stability. Whatever you pick, pick one and use only that one, as I have read that the different strains of bacteria can compete with each other.

This happens in nature. I think the more bacteria you have is probably better. I would want the strongest bacteria in my tank. But to each their own. I think stability is great for waterchanges.

 

[Drewdude]

This will be fine for fish but will need to be upgraded for coral.

if i upgrade now would it be helpful to the tank or only when i start adding coral?

 

[Jekyl]

if i upgrade now would it be helpful to the tank or only when i start adding coral?

You don't need a light at all until coral are in the tank. If wanting to stay cheap the nicrew 100w would do it. If you want to be able to do SPS eventually then a black box is the next option for price.

 

[CrimsonTide]

if i upgrade now would it be helpful to the tank or only when i start adding coral?

Just the coral. Technically the fish don't need light. The light in your house would be enough. I would get the tank stable and then worry about coral.

 

[Drewdude]

I second this! I would look into Dr. Tim's beneficial bacteria on Amazon! You need some kind of beneficial bacteria to help break down all the waste that your clownfish will produce. If you don't have any bacteria, their waste (ammonia) will just sky rocket and kill everything. Even if you have a filter on the tank.

Bulk Reef Supply has an awesome playlist that goes step by step of setting up a saltwater tank!

for the Dr tims should i use the one for reef tanks or just the saltwater one? or does it not matter right now?

 

[CrimsonTide]

for the Dr tims should i use the one for reef tanks or just the saltwater one? or does it not matter right now?

Send a picture or link please so I can see it.

 

[Theulli]

if i upgrade now would it be helpful to the tank or only when i start adding coral?

Most likely if you run the light now, you're just going to be producing algae.

 

[Drewdude]

Send a picture or link please so I can see it.

 

[Cajun_Reefer]

for the Dr tims should i use the one for reef tanks or just the saltwater one? or does it not matter right now?

This is what I use. I started off the tank with a bottle of this stuff when it was just rock and sand. Waited a couple of weeks, had some parameter changes, and when everything calmed down... added my first fish.

I use this stuff whenever I do a water change, when I change my media, and when I added my second fish!

 

[CrimsonTide]

Either one of those is fine but those are the big bottles. I would get the smaller bottles thats enough for 120 gallons

 

[CrimsonTide]

This is what I use. I started off the tank with a bottle of this stuff when it was just rock and sand. Waited a couple of weeks, had some parameter changes, and when everything calmed down... added my first fish.

I use this stuff whenever I do a water change, when I change my media, and when I added my second fish!

This bottle is more up your alley and cheaper for sure. I second this post!

 

[Drewdude]

This is what I use. I started off the tank with a bottle of this stuff when it was just rock and sand. Waited a couple of weeks, had some parameter changes, and when everything calmed down... added my first fish.

I use this stuff whenever I do a water change, when I change my media, and when I added my second fish!

thanks so much for the help!

 

[Drewdude]

time to be patient i understand! lol thanks so much for your advice im sure ill more questions at some point!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Welcome to a whole new world. While budget system exist and many work, accept that you will be limited as to specimens you can have within the tank. Get Good- not economy test kits as you will monitor water quality regularly and you dont want false readings that will place your system at risk

 

[CrimsonTide]

You can also use this as well if you want. I like Dr. Tim's more but I use both.

 

[Drewdude]

Welcome to a whole new world. While budget system exist and many work, accept that you will be limited as to specimens you can have within the tank. Get Good- not economy test kits as you will monitor water quality regularly and you dont want false readings that will place your system at risk

i bought a API master test kit if thats what you mean?

 

[Jilly92]

Thanks for the advice! I wont be trying to add an anemone for a long time! Im wondering if my powerhead might be too powerful? what gph should i shoot for in my 10 gallon? the one i have is 425 but most videos ive seen they have two powerheads in there so im wondering if i need a second one?

Always turn off powerhead when getting an anemone until it attaches and you can watch it for the day with it on. Turn it off when you go to bed until it stays in the same spot for awhile. I've had 2 anemones sucked into filter intake and powerhead. 1 lived, 1 did not. The reason people will put 2 powerheads is so there is not dead space where detritus (old food/decay) can build. When placing a powerhead you want to put it where you see the water in your tank make a complete circle. Like if you drop a ping pong ball on top and your powerhead is in the right place, the ball will do a lap around the tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

i bought a API master test kit if thats what you mean?

Very unreliable especially the critical ammonia and nitrate readings which have let down many reefers hence the low price of $21 for a master kit. I trust a politician more than I do API kits.

 

[CrimsonTide]

i bought a API master test kit if thats what you mean?

API are not the most accurate test kits. When you get further a long you will realize this and probably want to go with salifert, red sea, or Hanna test kits.

 

[Drewdude]

API are not the most accurate test kits. When you get further a long you will realize this and probably want to go with salifert, red sea, or Hanna test kits.

oh wow ok thanks ill order that. any preference?